Web References-- Online version of Philippine Star
Without a law, is it illegal?By Evelyn MacairanThe Philippine Star 08/09/2005
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200508096601.htm
EDITORIAL – Cyber pornThe Philippine Star 08/09/2005
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200508092601.htm
Instructions:
Read the two related articles (news and opinion) and give a 2-3 paragraph reaction on this. Post your reaction in this blog. You may also react on other students' opinions.
9 comments:
Filipinos have become used to the idea of selling their flesh in exchange for money. This has always been the norm with those who lack the money. And now that cybersex offers more of the benefits of money and less of the unrequired fondling and diseases, it is no wonder why many would turn to this technological form of sex.
You could not really blame these people who engage in cybersex. It's actually their own prerogative if they want to engage in this act. It might be because they are far from their loved ones or the more common reason is that they are in desperate need of cash.
Unfortunately, even though cybersex is still morally wrong, there is not enough measures present now to prevent it. And sometimes, you have to think of the practicality of the situation... how could you take away the only living that a girl, who supports her 5 siblings, has?
I wasn't able to read the article also since philippine star's archive is not working right now. I'm basing my opinions on others' comments.
Cybersex is morally wrong. The people who are engage in this activity should ponder if what they are doing is right or wrong. There are still other ways to earn money that does not involve in selling of their flesh or something. Those who believe in God should think twice in what they are about to do because the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit(1 Corinthians 6:19) which means that they should take care of their body because the Holy Spirit is residing within them.
And another reason is that engaging in sexual activity with a person you don't even know is just like pre-marital sex, eventhough the people involved didn't really have direct contact. The act is just for lustful thoughts and for own pleasure which makes God unhappy.
Joanna Sioson
There is something called consent. There is also something called "an age of maturity". There are a lot of porn and sex site over the net that actually require you to be of age-- either 18 or 21, depending on which country you're living in. But let's face it. When it comes to porn, sex and other same topics, everyone has owned, heard of and seen them. Those who claim not to are in denial. Most people who do admit that they do are of legal age and beyond. Think about it. The only reason why younger teenagers acquire their porn is through older people who get them from the net and sell them to the youth. But that's another story.
When porn isn't enough, people turn to cybersex to "quench" their thirsts. People who engage in this activity might say that it's okay since there's no actual penetration happening, but a lot of other people see it as immoral. But what exactly is morality? Times change and the views of people on morality and the like change as well. What might be immoral before might not be moral today. People would say that there should be laws against cybersex, that people should be stopped, but how can you? The internet is so huge, and a lot of people can bypass even the strongest of firewalls. Even if you do put up laws against it, a lot of people would still be able to do it (An example of this is illegal distribution of licensed material over the web.) No, laws won't be able to stop this. Some people would also say that we need a clear mind on the topic. To see it in all views before giving judgement. Yes, this is true. A lot of misconceptions and stereotypes have already formed, and a lot of them come from the internet. Come in a chatroom and you see people dirty talking each other, but if you know them very well, the dirty talking is just a part of their everyday joking around. Come into a forum where they discuss the occult, tell them that what they're doing is bad, and you're instantly flamed. Yes, an open mind is always the best option.
Although, open minds won't exactly fix the problem. Sure we'll get a better view of the problem at hand, and it might also help us figure out a way to fix the problem, but solutions to problems don't always end up right. Trial and error is needed, but in this case? No, that method will only bring things to a worse situation. As I said before, there is something called 'consent' and an 'age of maturity'. It's different in a lot of people; it's not constant. People do things because they KNOW that they can handle the responsibility for it.
We can't take away all that porn and cyber sex off the net. We know that. And if people engage in those activities just so that they can sustain their family... Why not give them an alternative instead? Stop strangling the minimum pay of workers; increase it. Give the people something better to do. Next thing you know, cyber sex would be unheard of.
Keith Jefferson Lao – S11
This issue is old and are always been targeted by religious and government people. But isn’t it the right of every citizen to do what they want? Of course considering no one is affected by what one is doing. People tend to react to things like cyber sex exaggeratedly.
Yes, cyber sex is immoral when you think of it but is it illegal? No one has made it illegal mainly because it is a choice of two people. No one has the right to interfere in what people want to do. Maybe government officials maybe with the help of parents should focus on how to prevent underage students in practicing these kinds of things. But still, it is there choice.
Overall I really don’t care about these issues because it is a person’s choice. I my self can do these things if I wanted to and that’s we call freedom.
Ian T. Jose
S11
I agree, cybersex is extremely immoral. It degrades the very person that engages in it. It removes all pride and self-esteem of the ones involved. However, as I have read in the comments by the others, I discovered that it is not illegal, and I thought, why should it be? If you really analyze it, what are the ones involved really doing? They are showing their selves to each other probably undressing, and doing other more private things, but what are they really doing with each other when there is even no physical contact at all? No one is really abused or taken advantage of. This is why I think that cybersex is hard to be illegalized.
I also note what Walter said in his comment; that most of the people who work in cybersex dens are relied on by their whole family. They are in serious need of money for their family, and they can find no other job probably because of their lack of education. If this profession becomes illegal then what will happen to these people? The government should be cautious in implementing a new law about cybersex. In my opinion, they should prioritize giving jobs for everyone including those who lack the proper education and then plan the proper action regarding this matter. In this way, those who work here will not be “doomed” if the time comes that cybersex becomes illegal
In the Philippines, sex, and other topic that may include anything about sex, is overrated. The issue of sex is so hyped, which, in the first place, should be non-existent.
Cybersex should, can, and will never be prohibited by the law, nor will it be legalized. What - the law will arrest someone who's showing off one's flesh over the internet? What the person did was immoral, but one can not be arrested just because of doing something immoral. One can only be arrested by disobeying and breaking the law.
We can not ignore the fact that not only is cybersex the fastest and easiest money nowadays, but it also has no risks involve, where no physical contact is necessary, no more STDs, and earnings are much more gratifying, thus, the rapidly increasing number of people engaging in it.
Money is power. Sex is power. Therefore, getting money for sex is simply an exchange of power.
JV UY
S21
for me cybersex is not immoral, its like having sex without contact. our culture tells us that it is bad and disgusting, it isn't if it is not abused (like making it a commodity) and with the permission and the willingness of the people involved.
here in the Philippines, im really surprised that a lot of people are actually doing it since most of the Filipinas are still the conservative type but hey people do a lot of things for money and sex is an easy way to get it. what makes it all different is the use of technology, it makes communication a lot easier and the sex much cheaper.
with the big population of cyber sex workers and its enthusiasts and the gigantic growth of the internet and the techological industry, controlling cybersex on the net is a dream. even the government lacks the right laws to control because they know that the work is hard. also, they can't control a person on their decisions, they can only educate them.
Julian S. Montano IV
S11
An immoral act doesn't always mean that it is a crime, and vice versa. In other countries, particularly those in Europe, there are some practices which are allowed according to law, although they are considered immoral by other cultures and other religions, like divorce, prostitution, and the like.
Such immoral acts, as our culture and religion dictate, like cybersex and pornography, can eventually fade away if we give some attention and voice our concern to them, though not to an extent that we sensationalize such an issue. The reason why such practices exist in a conservative country like the Philippines is extreme poverty, and people resort to such acts just to make his/her family survive. Child pornography, however, is a very serious problem we should deal with immediately.
Pornography and cybersex are some of the things we should not sensationalize too much, especially when our concern today is how to resolve the present political crisis. I believe that getting rid of troublemakers and corrupt people in our government and making long-term goals and programs to alleviate poverty are the keys to save our society and the starting point in eradicating all immoral acts in our country.
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