Which is a more taboo subject: sex or violence?

Question

It seems to me very strange that sex is often considered a more taboo subject than violence.
Why, for example, to many films containing strong, brutal and bloody violence often receive a 15 or 12 certificate, whereas films with strong sexual content recieve 18 certificates.
This is especially strange when you consider that violence, in the vast majority of its forms, is illegal, whereas sex, in the vast majority of its forms, is legal.

Why is it that when I post a harmless question about sex, my question gets deleted, while I'm sure that if I asked a question about violence it wouldn't get deleted.

Lets put this to the test... if I post two questions, one entitled "what is your hottest sexual fantasy" and the other entitled "what is the best way to kill a man with your hands".... which would get deleted first? Which do you think, and why?

I'll post both of these questions later, but I want to know what you think will happen first.

Answer 1

if you post both of those topics, i don't think either would be deleted, as there are many questions about sexuality that are acceptable on YA, as long as you're not explicit...

i think both can be taboo subjects, depending on the degree of their content...

Kissing in a movie can be considered sexual content, but it may still be rated PG-13. As with a mild fight scene. But a full out sex scene, full frontal nudity, will get you an R rated, but so will a man chopping off someones head or a dog gouging out eyeballs. Both sex and violence can be mild or explicit.

Answer 2

Sex is more taboo than violence. The sex question would get deleted before any question about violence.

I have friends who let their young children play violent video games and watch violence movies, but they don't allow them to play or watch movies or play video games with any sexual content, even if it is kissing.

It doesn't make sense because sex is really a benign act. It's about two people exploring their pleasure. It also is the way to procreate. Although there are STD's that could put a damper on things, it really is quite harmless if protection is used.

Whereas violence hurts not only the person it's directed towards, but the people who are close to the victim. And it causes fear in society. It also costs a lot due to the measures we have to take to protect ourselves, such as locks, alarm systems, etc.

Answer 3

I think sex is. Violence is more, for lack of a better word, accepted. If you posted those two questions, people would be quicker to answer whether they would or would not kill a man before they told you their sexual fantasies.

Violence is more widespread, I believe. Adults see it on the news and teenagers/children see it in school and on video games. Unfortunately, a lot of people see it growing up through domestic violence and abuse as well. Sex isn't as talked about, and although it is in the media, it's not there as much. People aren't as open with who they've slept with as they are with the people they've fought with.

I think gossip it also an issue. People brag more about their fights with others than the people they've slept with. They'd rather have the reputation of a tough guy/girl than a whore.

Answer 4

Consider that strong sexual content is against the community guidelines for Y!Answers and that we have many young teenagers on here, I'd say that the sex question would be the quicker one to be pulled but only by a few seconds.

I'm not saying that this is the best thing or that talking about sex should be taboo.

Answer 5

I think that the combination is the biggest taboo. Post a question that reads something like "What is the hottest way to have sex with someone while you're hitting them".

I'll bet it gets deleted before either of the others.

Answer 6

You have made a very valid point, I had never really thought about it like that before.
I reckon the sex one will get deleted first because, as you said, it is seen as the most taboo topic.
I think people get embarrassed by sex but we are so used to seeing violence that we are not shocked or disgusted by it.

Answer 7

I'd go with violence but sex also needs to be taboo to protect the innocence of the young!they will both get deleted!

Answer 8

I am a non-conformist who does not understand this world where I am born.
One religion says kill -examples - Buddhism of SRI Lanka says killing Hindus and Tamils is OK.
Another religions says don't screw especially if you are going to tell your community people not to do that.
Another religion says God said not to be Gay.
Another says God did not know about gayism then and so he did not mentioned it.
Some say Sodom did this and others say monkeys do it.
Same with Violence.
Personally I prefer Non-killing to Screwing because I am not a cannibal but cannot control the Nature given instinct to feel nice.
Some-one please take me in your hand and help

Answer 9

Violance

Answer 10

Sex is taboo? LOL. Have you watched tv lately, its everywhere?! Violence? ....again, tv, billboard video games.

Maybe my def of taboo and yours are different. But, sex and violence are definately NOT taboo anymore.