And even farther back — 1868 — Chief Justice Cockburn rendered this judgment on obscenity in court: "The test of obscenity is this: Whether the tendency of the matter charged as obscenity is to deprave and corrupt those whose minds are open to such immoral influences, and into whose hands a publication of this sort my fall." That was in the days before the movies. But what Justice Cockburn said about obscenity in literature holds for what can be classified as pornography in motion pictures. And now, the movies is the medium that lends itself most to pornography.
We are glad that now a group of civic-minded citizens have formed a corporation to fight all forms of pornography. The association is called The Philippine Alliance Against Pornography, Inc. The association is aware that obscenity corrupts public morals that results in an increase in rape cases, teenage pregnancies, incest and violence related to sexual abuse.
In their pamphlet entitled No, No, No Kami sa Porno, the PAAP published "a near universal 4-factor syndrome" among persons who are attracted to pornography. They are: (1) Addiction: Getting hooked, coming back for more and still more. As powerful as drugs. (2) Escalation: Progressively coarser, more explicit material is needed for sexual highs or turns-ons. (3) Disensitization: With continued exposure, what at first offends becomes acceptable and then craved no matter how gross or deviant. (4) Acting Out: There is a tendency to translate thoughts into actions. The thought is father to the deed.
How can one safeguard one’s family from pornography? PAAP gives us the answer: 1st, avoid personal and family exposure to pornography; 2nd, set personal and family standards that focus on human dignity and wholesome living; 3rd, have open family discussions with children of suitable age about pornography and its dangers; 4th, emphasize the sacred nature of the human body and the joy of proper sexual relationships in marriage; 5th, control and monitor television viewing in the family, especially cable and computer programs; 6th, select movies and other entertainment based on reliable reviews; 7th, read good books, and read them to your children; 8th, be aware of unsuitable music and lyrics and discuss their impact on young people and others.