These anti-statutory rape PSAs were made by advertising agency Serve for the United Way of Milwaukee. They created enough of a controversy that they were pulled (see an article at Salon).
In response to the controversy, the advertising agency put a little over 2 minutes of focus group footage on youtube:[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61-gu2X_57k[/youtube]
Comments 52
Hannah — February 15, 2008
"If you're over 18 and having sex with an underage girl, it's wrong"
I know it's mostly girls/women who are raped, but acknowledging them as the only survivors puts a further stigma on boys/men who survive sexual abuse.
Sociological Images » Brazilian ads about child sexual abuse — May 29, 2008
[...] them to these disturbing anti-pedophilia ads from [...]
Sociological Images » VINTAGE ALBUM COVER NEWLY CENSORED — December 13, 2008
[...] don’t miss this fascinating, and perhaps misguided, attempt to fight the sexualization of girls. addthis_url = [...]
Angela — March 7, 2009
They make the point, but I can see why they would be offensive.
Its the shock value to make you do a double take and actually read the message.
Also, why were they interveiwing highschool age guys? Have been charged/involved with statutory rape?
I have always wondered about why girls I knew in junior high (fourteen years old sometimes) dated guys in college.
Kelly — March 17, 2009
I think that's retarded. Anyone should be able to date anyone, No mattter what the age. It's callled love people. Age is just a number. Fer real.
JOHNATHAN — April 16, 2009
YOU KNOW WHY YOU GIRLS ARE BEING RAPED.
1. THERE PARENTS LET THEM DRESS LIKE SLUTS
2. THEY ACT LIKE SLUTS
IF THE PARENTS ARENT WATCHING THERE KIDS ITS GOING TO HAPPEN
THE KIDS ARE NO THE REASON THEY ARE HAVING SEX WITH OLDER MEN ITS THE PARENTS FOR NO BEING THE ONES THAT WATCH WHAT THEY DO AND FOR MY RESPONDS TO THAT THEY DESIRE IT
Kat — April 26, 2009
wow. so much to comment on. First, Kelly: it's alright for you to advocate for love regardless of age for yourself and anyone you're in a relationship with, but the reality is that most statutory relationships aren't love and the girls are coerced into it because of the uneven balance of power (due not only to age, incidentally, but gender and other factors as well). Young girls are taught that the way to gain power is through their bodies and sexuality, when we know this is not the only course. In what is often an attempt to gain power and attention, young girls may latch on to an older man.
Also, please don't use words like 'retarded' as pejoratives. It's offensive.
Jonathan: I don't know where you get the nerve to place the blame on girls and women for being raped (let me guess, the anonymity of the internet? Not having to back up your opinions or be held accountable?) but that also is truly offensive and wrong. Plus, how outdated is that accusation? "She was asking for it: look at how she was dressed!" ugh. grow up! And then you go on to blame the parents. So everyone gets blamed but the real culprits: the rapist and the society that is messed up enough to encourage and allow the rapist to exist.
Third, Hannah, I agree! Your comment brings up the recent incident with Lil Wayne (on Jimmy Kimmel's show, I'm sure there are video all over the internet of it).
Anon — May 5, 2009
More and more amniotic poison. This whole series of ads is shit. "When you look at a young girl as something more you need help." Really? So I suppose if I find a girl who is 17 years and 364 days old attractive, I'm a sick pedophile, but tomorrow I'll be normal, right? I can't believe how many people buy this shit. The fact is, though whether or not teenagers should be having sex is debatable, it's normal for men to find teenage girls attractive. And DON'T try to tell me these ads are about prepubescent girls. That's bullshit and you know it. Look at the pictures: they're basically saying "looking at a pair of 14 year old tits makes you a pedophile." How the fuck does looking at tits make you a pedophile? It boils down to this: if a girl has the ability to reproduce, she's physically a woman. You can argue that she's not emotionally ready for sex or whatever, but these ads say that if you find post-pubescent girls attractive, something is wrong with you, and it's just not true.
FrankleeMiDeer — May 13, 2009
Sounds like Jonathan and Anon are trying to convince themselves, not us. Conscience twinging, boys?
Anyone else doubt that Kelly is a girl?
nick — May 23, 2009
I like sexy little girls
Anonymous — May 30, 2009
I most definately agree with Kelly. If you are good people, it is not wrong.
It is a good, thing, and natural. whatever age. People need to stop saying otherwise, and making a big ugly deal about a good thing.
unknown Soldier — July 3, 2009
sex is good. but underage girls on the net prefer older men.
but iam not saying its right. Anyone who believes in God should not be a part of this. This means the girl grows up wanting just sex. teach her Computers ,sowing, ect. Rememeber NBC-
To Catch A Predator?
FBI-Police-Government Officials will be after you sickos.
Feel the urge go take a cold Shower.
Did I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?
Thats a 10-4
soldier — July 23, 2009
pedophiles should be shot on sight
Youn Satt — July 24, 2009
I love you everyday
Do you remenber me
I remenber you everyday
I promices, I will love you for ever.
Eddy — August 7, 2009
Somehow I thought the allure of little girls was that they didn't have the, erm, feminine bodies that older women have, and some people are into that in particular.
Leigh — August 7, 2009
These comments are crazy. I'm signing my daughter up for some krav maga as soon as she's old enough - which, judging from these comments, does not appear to be soon enough.
abby — August 7, 2009
Leigh, I agree - I've been reading Soc Images for a couple of months now, but I've never read comments like these! I guess after a year and a half, the intended audience was finally reached.
Depicting “Starving African Kids” » Sociological Images — August 12, 2009
[...] anti-gentical cutting ads, then back to PETA, showing domestic violence to oppose animal cruelty, hypersexualizing little girls, depicting aid recipients as pathetic, and then end with PETA. 34 Comments Tags: [...]
woland — August 17, 2009
this silly laws was created by old impotents,jealous about they lost ability to enjoy sex.if the girl have body like this and able to have babies.............14 year should be questionable,not younger,i think
god's man — October 9, 2009
god allows to marry girls as young as 6 . now how will you fight god's decision when laws are based on bible? you are disbelievers of god whoever rejects young girls for marriage? you people are hellish
BE SMOKEFREE AND GET HOT CHICKS » Sociological Images — November 26, 2009
[...] other examples of using sex, go here, here, and here. Or go to our “More” tab, where you’ll find a search box, and search for PETA, [...]
CHANGING BIOLOGY: AGE AT FIRST MENSTRUATION » Sociological Images — November 27, 2009
[...] maturity (they’re still 12 year old girls), a point activists were trying to make in these misguided PSAs about statutory rape. Brumberg argues that just as this was happening, American [...]
more things to read/watch/consider/listen to: | Girlfriend Junction — May 13, 2011
[...] Hypersexualizing Little Girls So As To Discourage Hypersexualizing Little Girls This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. ← Girls Are Not Chicks [...]
Allan — September 8, 2011
NATURE;
not the bible (or any religion), nor any race or social group decides who and when sex is appropriate.HUMANS ARE WIRED PROCREATE (well, most anyway), whether you like it or not. Eat, sleep, survive, procreate.Thousands upon thousands of years worth of human life and development doing the same thing, because IT"S NATURAL!It is that simple people.When the human body is ready to make babies (male or female), then, it is ready for sex. What age that is may be different from one person to the next, but nonetheless that is reality. I'm not talking rape here people, I'm talking about two people who like one another (for whatever reasons), or even just those discovering themselves.I'm not saying that we should all go out and get some as soon as possible, but it shouldn't be illegal if we do, no matter who it is with (as long as it is consensual, and the people involved are happy with each other, again, for whatever reasons).Hell, society (in many parts of the world) has deemed that having same sex relations is okay, however, without science, those are not capable of procreation - so, it is not natural (in the sense of nature and human continuation).Somewhere along the line, some schmuck(s) who couldn't have their way with a young lady (preferably consensual), decided that neither would anyone else, so they created bullsh*t laws and other things to try and stop it from happening. Some others along the way decided to throw in their two cents and add to the mix some other B.S. to help that along, and voila, we live in a society where government, religion, race, etc. decide who with and when we can have sex.On one hand, the "smart, all knowing ones" are trying to stop overpopulation (that's one excuse they use), on the other, our sciences are developing treatments and cures for everything so that we can live longer lives. People that should die due to birth defects, car accidents, etc, etc. are given the chance to continue living, while countries like China and others are telling you how many children you can or can't have. WTF?
I think that society has been out of control with all of this for many years, and it's getting worse by the day, companies who do this kind of thing are not helping in any way, but then "we the people" are allowing it by standing by and doing nothing.
If we allow our youth to determine their own sexuality and their sexual roles on their own, without "policing" them, chances are they will make better decisions about their own lives and others in the future, and come to police themselves.
You have to learn and experience why something is "good" or "bad" for you yourself, on your own terms, in order to understand and deal with it properly, rather than have someone shove it down your throat.
(pun intended, for those who are into rape).
Men and Women are all beautiful in someones eyes, who gets to look at who and think of them how they want is their own decision. If I as a man, am attracted to a female, of any age, SO BE IT.
It doesn't mean I have to act upon my thoughts, but, should any female that I am attracted to have the same feelings/urges about me that I have of them, we should be able to do whatever the f*ck we want!
Get your heads out of your asses!!!
Argdrge — December 2, 2011
Nature decides when it is ok to have sex, no law and no parents. If 15 years olf GUY simply gets horrny, then NATURE is telling him: "you are readdy"
If 15 years olg GIRL simply gets horrny, thats natures way telling her: "YOU ARE READY"
Evolution gave us testicles and genitilias, therefore it is up for nature to decide when these testicles and genitilias will be ready to have sex. Period and you cant argue with this because this is simple logic.
Tylerpace — January 6, 2012
Some of the arguements are ignorant, some down right offensive.
You people obviously don't have children.
Because if you raised a child, you would protect it from day one. You would watch her/him grow into a mature adult.
Do you think for one second my 16-year-old sister knows what she wants out of life? Do you think she's a responsible adult who would remember to do everything thats neccessary to advance in life, if she wasn't told to do so? so do you think she and ANYONE should have sex? Do you think my parents would mind if she wanted to date someone 19? Probably not. But guess what? Love waits. Love is love, when that girl is 18, 19, 20, and love is forever right? That's what you people claim. So why not wait? You can't love from prison.
Another point, when your parent's still financially support you. YOU ARE NOT AN ADULT. Whether you're 18 or not. And if they have a problem with you as someone put in "Procreate". Do you think they want their daughter getting screwed over?
Let's be real here people. Let's be honest. Young people like attention, they like to be told they're pretty, ect. Because some man/woman old enough to be their father/mother makes them feel special. THATS NOT LOVE. That's some asshole trying to take advantage of the fact that a young person is young and has looks about them.
I'm not saying that when they're eighteen, everything is okay and they're suddenly an adult and it's "OK" to have sex them. All I'm saying is most people do it to take advantage of someone who is mentally still a child.
And if you're getting on the subject of the bible, because we're all "Hellish" Man and women slept together for two reason. 1) They were husband and wife. 2) They were trying to reproducing. Did the bible ever mention sick, fetishes, children getting taken advantage of? Lets all just go back to the primitive times when little girls were raped and we had no medical research. Let's just go back to biblical times. It may be in the Bible, but that doesn't mean it's RIGHT. That's like saying that because a twelve-year-old can reproduce she should? Um okay? She CAN'T support shit. She hasn't even finished school. She doesn't have basic knowlege, can't get a basic job, nothing, she can't even drive her baby around. So she should just depend on somebody who can right? Wrong. If you hav children you NEVER teach them to be dependent on somebody else.
Look, I'm a twenty, I'm male. And my little sister's friend's hang around when I visit from college on the weekends. And they've pulled they're silly childish moves. And they're very cute some of them, some have even offered to do things with me. But thats wrong. They're on such a different thinking level than me, that if I said yes, it would be taking ADVANTAGE of them. It's called restraint. They're kids, and whether or not they're old enough to produce kids, they can't do shit for them, and neither can the old farts who get them pregnant. It almost always ends up on the parents tab.
I'm pretty sure they're a bunch of older, beautiful, more capable women that you people can have sex with. If you can't get one of them doesn't mean you should take advantage of some child and call it love.
I'm not saying they're aren't exceptions, but there aren't many. If you can't support yourself, a child, if you can't hold your own, don't have sex. And for all the guys who do truly love someone out there something society deems unworthy, I'm sorry. But if you love someone you'll ALWAYS do what's best for the other person, to make sure you and they can reciprocate that love in the best/healthiest way possible. Like I said you can't love from a Jail Cell.
Vagina Wrinkle — January 6, 2012
I like to eat poo poo.
Nick — March 3, 2012
some little girls are sexy
Lilyana — May 10, 2012
wtf i didnt have that pig of titts when i was like 7 lol freaky shit XD 0.o
bob — October 18, 2013
i love little girls
christopher V. — March 5, 2016
If a person sees these ads and is thereby convinced not to make advances on a young female because it is “wrong” (why only girls?), or seeks out a therapist for “help” with an inarguably natural biological function (sexual attraction to the young), then I would suggest that said person is so mentally challenged he would be molesting himself if he had sex with an adult female.
If it is wrong, unhealthy and dangerous to have sexual intercourse with a girl because she is not mentally capable to handle it then why the hell do we have these psychologically fragile creatures driving on highways and risking the lives of entire families? Why are they socially encouraged to watch adult material on web sites like You Tube (the greatest child molestation machine of all time if we are talking about weak minds being exposed to adult perversions). Why are they dancing suggestively to sexually laden pop songs (often those performed by Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards recipients) in legal dance competitions? And why are they eroticized in legal photography and consistently cast in films involving semi-explicit sexual situations with adults?
Can you detect exactly what is, and what is not damaging without appealing to situations where your own social beliefs and contradictory laws/rules/morals have not already adversely and perversely affected these innocents?
Then again— kids heads on voluptuous adult bodies; maybe you morally wise and righteous people are on to something. The wave of the future, so to speak.