There is nothing wrong with sex and children should not be taught that sex is bad, forbidden or evil as they mature and can grasp the concepts.

However, sexualisation of children/culture is entirely another matter. The two are distinguishable and while sex should not be made the boogey man it is not always suitable for a public arena. Children should be introduced to certain concepts as their maturity allows not when some corporation dictates.

Our society is made of men, women and children. We don't live in an exclusively adult world. That is just a fact of life. It is not just all about us.

Like, briar rose I have had a quick look at 'Collective Shout' and found a mix of people, some share my atheist viewpoint and are concerned about 'culture' and others who come at it from more a religious bent. There really isn't much of a religious agenda on the site. I do agree with the concerns about some of the sexualised products that are now marketed to quite young children including underwear (as opposed to young adults) and inappropriately placed billboards etc.

For debate to continue on this subject it is important to allow contrary opinions and to discuss ways of coming to a consensus (if that is even possible). There is always a chance that the outrage can be over-exaggerated on both sides of the debate if we are to be fair.

The trouble is some sexual images should be for 'behind closed' doors - that does not demonise sex, just means that it is appropriately out of reach of children.

To those who are comfortable with no boundaries in this area - is there anything that would make you say - NO that is going too far!

The outrage metre tends to be just as highly strung among some of the anti-censorship lobby as those who voice concerns about sexualisation of culture or children.

It is bewildering to me that Letting Children be Children has become such a divisive issue when it is really a no-brainer.

Pelican writes: "The outrage metre tends to be just as highly strung among some of the anti-censorship lobby as those who voice concerns about sexualisation of culture or children" - TRUE! Sex will always be a controversial topic. Sex (and particularly youthful sexuality) will always elicit impassioned, and very different responses. And isn't that the great thing about living in a democracy - that this range of voices can be heard!

Our society needs Kids 2B Kids as much as it does more libertarian perspectives on sex and sexuality. How boring would it be if we all nodded our heads in unquestioning agreement!

Ozandy makes a similar point. Unfortunately, I would not recommend Patai's "Heterophobia". This book is simply another opportunity by a so-called "feminist" to demonise other feminists as victimisation-obsessed and anti-heterosexual. That kind of argument is misguided, and what's more, it's getting very old!

The most striking feature of sexuality in Australia is the tension between a tradition of highly restrictive standards, on the one hand, and a climate that values individuality and personal freedom, on the other. Restrictive patterns of sexual behaviour have long been regarded as the cornerstone of public and private morality, yet the pleasures of sexual gratification are constantly extolled, implicitly and explicitly, especially through the mass media. Not surprisingly, the attempt to maintain the standards of earlier generations is largely unsuccessful. As a result, there is a discrepancy between the sexuality that is portrayed in the ideal culture - the norms and values a society adheres to in principle - and the sexuality that is actually expressed in the real culture - the norms and values a society adheres to in practice.

Lexi writes: "The most striking feature of sexuality in Australia is the tension between a tradition of highly restrictive standards, on the one hand, and a climate that values individuality and personal freedom, on the other."

Restrictive/puritanical and individualistic/do-whatever-ya-like approaches to sex are two sides of the same late capitalist coin. There will never be a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to sex, and neither should there be. We should move towards a society that celebrates all kinds of non-exploitative sex. Though exactly what constitutes 'non-exploitative' sex is still subject to heated debate.

Opinion polls show substantial tolerance of diversity in sexual behaviour, but they also show a continued commitment to fidelity and a declining interest in promiscuity. The epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases may have played a part in this trend, but it also seems that the sexual climate now calls for caring and commitment rather than rebellion and experimentation. Possibly the most important result of the preceding years of change,has been wide-spread acceptance of newer concepts of sexual morality. Many people still adhere to the stern rules of earlier generations, and some seem not to believe in sexual morality at all. But increasingly, judgements about right and wrong in sexual matters are based on the attitude that moral behaviour is that which involves mutual affection and respect and does no physical or psychological harm to those involved.