To Catch a Contradiction
I spent much of last Saturday night watching this show hosted by Chris Hansen entitled To Catch a Predator. And unless you've seen the show, chances are you won't fully understand the intensity of my sentiment in this post.
Something about this program is very troubling.
I am a male, and I know what it is like to be aroused.
I also know what it is like to give in to that arousal.
I also know what it is like to feel guilty after giving in to that arousal.
But I wouldn't know what it is like to be lectured on national television by a sanctimonious icon of the entertainment world about decency. What if, instead of a child and a would-be abuser, the subjects of the show were two gay men in the 1980s, in a state where sodomy laws remained in effect? Think about how the conversations would parallel, and consider whether Chris's arguments would hold much water today in that situation.
Please understand, I am angered that kids are at risk of exploitation. And if his work would mean less children facing abuse, then I'm comforted to know it's doing some good. But there is an enormous measure of inconsistency here. You mean to tell me that these same people will not turn around the next day and feature shows that promote the notion that the values of conservatives are to be mocked as outmoded and ultimately without base?
It is very possible 50 years from now, a more liberalized America may look back on these stories as evidences of an overly Puritanical culture still holding on to antiquated ideals of preserving childhood "innocence". In an age that wishes to hand 11 year old girls condoms at school and defy parental-notification laws, one wonders what schizophrenic mindset turns around and begins pontificating to the rest of the world on how "indecent" these perpetrators are for being caught with their pants down.
Something about this program is very troubling.
I am a male, and I know what it is like to be aroused.
I also know what it is like to give in to that arousal.
I also know what it is like to feel guilty after giving in to that arousal.
But I wouldn't know what it is like to be lectured on national television by a sanctimonious icon of the entertainment world about decency. What if, instead of a child and a would-be abuser, the subjects of the show were two gay men in the 1980s, in a state where sodomy laws remained in effect? Think about how the conversations would parallel, and consider whether Chris's arguments would hold much water today in that situation.
Please understand, I am angered that kids are at risk of exploitation. And if his work would mean less children facing abuse, then I'm comforted to know it's doing some good. But there is an enormous measure of inconsistency here. You mean to tell me that these same people will not turn around the next day and feature shows that promote the notion that the values of conservatives are to be mocked as outmoded and ultimately without base?
It is very possible 50 years from now, a more liberalized America may look back on these stories as evidences of an overly Puritanical culture still holding on to antiquated ideals of preserving childhood "innocence". In an age that wishes to hand 11 year old girls condoms at school and defy parental-notification laws, one wonders what schizophrenic mindset turns around and begins pontificating to the rest of the world on how "indecent" these perpetrators are for being caught with their pants down.