Sexually Explicit Media Access...Abuse?

As discussed in the text, adolescents who watch or listened to sexually explicit media are more likely to engage in sexual activities. Should parents who allow their children to access such media be charged with emotional or psychological child abuse? Why or why not?

I think the answer to this question depends on the intent and specifications of each situation. The type of access and particular media involved should be considered as determining factors. If a parent provides or encourages viewing of sexually explicit material such as pornographic movies or magazines, then I would say yes, they should be charged with abuse. If a parent has a “Joy of Sex” book on their bedroom bookshelf, I don’t think it should warrant the same type of reaction. The definitions of access and media would need to be very well defined in order to answer this question.  Think about the word access. Is it allowing an adolescent access to sexually explicit material by having a computer in the house that is not set up with parental blocks? Or what about giving them a cell phone without parental blocks? Is allowing an adolescent the freedom to spend their allowance on un-monitored purchases providing “access”? Now think about the term sexually explicit materials. Is allowing an adolescent the freedom to go to a museum or library that holds art in the form of nudes, providing access? The overarching issue in this situation is intent.