Since we discussed porn, what's your feeling about erotica?

Well, women oftentimes read those "books" because they don't have a man that's going to have that kind of intensity toward them. Those characters are as realistic as the ones in porn. But, I admit I read my fair share in my younger years. Erotica is different than the Harlequin fluff. It can be done with humor and can be really hot. I had a wonderful compilation when I was 18/19 until my mother found it, berated me, and threw it out. I wish I could remember the title. There was one author in there I wouldn't mind revisiting. I guess you could have an interesting conversation as to the differences in what men and women are looking for. I'm not at all saying women are smarter (although I admit I'd like to), but we can think ourselves into arousal. Even when my husband isn't doing something quite right, if I think of something, I can get there. When women read, they're conjuring their own pictures, and not relying on blatant pictures like men. If I found erotica in my daughter's room, and she were at least starting puberty, I'd ignore it.

porn erotica none of it bothers me. Sexuality like anything else needs a chance to grow and mature. If we draw a box around it that makes it hard to grow and mature to a healthy point. Some of the stops along the way may not be particularly healthy but there is really only one way to find out.

Sure. Why not? Erotica is NOT pornography. A Supreme Court Justice once said words to the effect that he might not be able to define pornography, but he sure as anything knew it when he saw it. I hold the same view. Erotica yes, pornography no. I grew up in a very liberal, enlightened family on the edge of farm country. I knew about sex and animals from a very early age as all of my brothers and sisters did as well. None of us really needed that parent child birds bees thing. The only people who see this as a problem are the fundamentalist bible thumpers... zealots who think they know better than anyone else how it should be for everyone else... It took a church to make sex into a SIN and something dirty instead of the good, clean FUN I know it to BE...

I have always been an avid reader, and in my teens did read quite a few erotica books. While reading the books I definitely got a clear picture in my head. I don't see anything wrong with it. If my son wants to read those books or look at pictures when he is old enough I won't say anything to him. I think it is all a part of growing up and maturing.

Disgusting; perverted;

i dont see anything wrong with it

Somehow I am having a much easier time wrapping my head around erotica than I am around porn when it comes to my children. And with all of these questions today, I have been talking a lot with my husband. While I have seen two daughters through puberty, and it has prepared me for what to expect with our last daughter, I am thoroughly convinced that I HAVE NO CLUE WHEN IT COMES TO MY SON. honestly, I am a little scared, and afraid that I will mess something up if I have the wrong attitude about it. I realized that today.

i would allow my children 12 and older to read it. however i wouldn't take to kindly to them watching porn at 12. in my opinion it is different because as they say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. you don't get the full affect from just reading about it as you would from watching a movie or seeing a picture.