I agree with Linda that the US is a very big and diverse country and that it is impossible to make general statements about everyone. But at the same time, I think part of the sex issue that Martina refers to comes from the people that founded this country, not too many generations ago. The Pilgrims and the first colonists generally came to this country to escape religious persecution, or so we are told. These were sects of believers that just wanted to be left alone to observe their religion as they saw fit. Since they got here first, they got to make the rules, including sex as a shameful thing. These WASPs (white anglo saxon protestants) ruled the land until the Irish Catholics started taking over from the ground up. Only about 40 years ago, it was amazing that JFK got elected because he was Catholic. So the sex thing is not primarily a catholic thing, rather a very straight-laced old protestant thing, the kind that had people wearing black up to their necks even in the summer. -- Spirit World

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Date Posted: 14:31:06 08/27/03 Wed
Author: Lissa...MORE INSIDE>>>>
Subject: I agree with Linda that the US is a very big and diverse country and that it is impossible to make general statements about everyone. But at the same time, I think part of the sex issue that Martina refers to comes from the people that founded this country, not too many generations ago. The Pilgrims and the first colonists generally came to this country to escape religious persecution, or so we are told. These were sects of believers that just wanted to be left alone to observe their religion as they saw fit. Since they got here first, they got to make the rules, including sex as a shameful thing. These WASPs (white anglo saxon protestants) ruled the land until the Irish Catholics started taking over from the ground up. Only about 40 years ago, it was amazing that JFK got elected because he was Catholic. So the sex thing is not primarily a catholic thing, rather a very straight-laced old protestant thing, the kind that had people wearing black up to their necks even in the summer.
In reply to: Martina 's message, "Sex and violence in books, and the American attitude � caution, I am ranting!*G*" on 04:18:32 08/27/03 Wed

But I'll bet you see that all fading with this next generation. Look at how every type of body is displayed on tv these days. Lots of skin, too.
As for the violence thing, I too have never seen bullet holes in anything. It is a misconception to think that there is that much violence in US culture. Thanks Hollywood. I live near some old mill towns that have lots of tough elements, but there are misconceptions about them even from towns next door. My niece goes to the public HS in her city and my sil gets all kinds of comments about letting her daughter go there. Fear and misunderstanding spread so easy. Cultural misunderstandings can happen anywhere about anything, whether from one town to the next or across the ocean.
And another thing, my dds had some books to read when in HS classes that you would be surprised about if you were to believe that all Americans are afraid of sex. I wish I could find the list of suggested summer reading for this one class. I would definitely not say that sex is hidden away, whether it is rape or love.
As a final note, I haven't read the LKH books and don't plan to because they don't interest me, which is not a judgement on you and the fact that you read them and like them. It's nice that you like them and have so much fun with them. But does that make me afraid of sex? Because I am an American and this doesn't interest me, does that make me less open minded than you who are a European? What about all the Americans who are reading these books? When someone on the other board said they did not think kids should read LKH books because of the sex, was it because it was sex in general they didn't want kids to read, or the 'twisted' sex that I understand is in there?
Back to my original statement, I believe that when you hear an American making some comment about hiding sex related things, what you are hearing is the culture of the Puritans that is still seeping out of our collective consciousness.

HOORAY FOR OPEN DISCUSSIONS!!!!!!!!!

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[> [> Well, it is true that a lot of crap come over the ocean about America. I am glad to have you and all the other wonderful people on the board to make me a bit wiser than the rest of us.*g* >>>> -- Martina, 15:55:35 08/27/03 Wed

I am glad to hear that things are getting different with the younger generation. About referring to the other board - we had discussions about many other books too, which have totally normal sex scenes, just pretty good described. None of the readers there would be happy though to have their kids read it. I didn�t understand that, and took it as a cultural difference, which I do respect fully. I haven�t said anything to it either, only here on this board I thought I could bring it up.*g*

Thanks for the explanation where that attitude originally came from! That explains a lot.

And for the LKH books I must say I read them for the humor. The author has a way with words it�s just too good, haha. I could read the ugly parts with a certain detachment, because English is a foreign language for me and things don�t sound so harsh.*lol* I am not sure if I want to read that in German, haha.

Besides, from what I read on the boards I don�t believe Americans are afraid of sex.*lol* It just struck me funny that they think they need to hide from their kids. When I say THEY I am speaking of the general opinion about Americans that we have here. It might be wrong, like not every German likes Sauerkraut, but I met that opinion a lot on the boards.

About the violence, well that is just another thing they teach us here about America. I am glad you don�t experience it as crass as it is described on TV.

On another note: We got our house put up today!!!

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