It amazes me that what with MTV, our entertainment indutry, etc ... America is still somewhat puritanical, as compared to Europe. But it doesn't bother me at all, either. The key might be that our culture's seemingly increasingly slezy nature has it's roots in personal choices and activities.
In Europe, as with everything else, it's institutionalized. I wonder what difference that makes? Not sure - but it does. The whole socialist thing, perhaps.
Backers say the London Academy of Sex and Relationships, due to open next spring, will not be a sleazy sex museum, but an educational multimedia attraction that will teach visitors to become better lovers and provide valuable information about disease and sexual problems.
h/t Bruce
I do not agree with you that whole of Europe would not be as puritanical as the USA. Think Spain for instance or Italy and also there where i come from (Amsterdam) there is only a tiny part the Red light district, where i in day to day life never get exposed to.
Posted by: mylena | Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 04:32 PM
I don't think generalizations like "European culture" are a basis for discussion. There is no "European culture", every country and every region has their own culture, only very few core values are shared.
But even in the US, the "American culture" as shared by each and every American is not very extensive. Finding a common culture for a Southern California beach bum, a Texas rancher and a Pittsburgh steel worker (to name but a few examples) is as difficult as for a student in Amsterdam, a farmer in Poland and an office worker in Lisbon. They may be citizens of the same country (for the Americans) or political union (for the EU) but they have very little in common.
There may be more common ground between people with similar backgrounds in the EU and the US than between people with different backgrounds within the same "country".
Posted by: Northerner | Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 05:22 PM
Something like this?
http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0400lambeth/tm_objectid=16248994&method=full&siteid=50100&headline=-i-m-in-the-nude-for-dancing--name_page.html
Posted by: Cindi in PA | Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 06:35 PM
Of course Netherlands already has its sexmuseum.
http://www.sexmuseumamsterdam.nl/index2.html
Posted by: Yolande | Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 06:50 PM
but NEW YORK has one too
http://www.lovetoeatandtravel.com/Site/US/NY/Fun/sex_museum.htm
whats the difference ?
Posted by: ann | Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 07:14 PM
I agree with Dan's huntch.
It's not that sex and drugs and other risque entertainment is just "institutionalized", it's "legalized", which is probably the same thing, but still...
It, there for, reduces the involvement of "criminal element", and "the danger factor", and the "excitement of forbidden fruit".
So by default of "legalization" it becomes "less sleazy".
Posted by: MoscowGirl | Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 07:39 PM
I would not call the USA puritanical. I think we "talk about it" more, but we can hardly fit the bill.
Possibly in the 1950's and previous to that it could have been categorized that way, but not now.
Posted by: TheAlamo | Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 07:52 PM
Oops...hit the post button too soon.
I agree with the fact that ours (or lack thereof) is due to more freedom for personal choices, at least compared to some over there.
Posted by: TheAlamo | Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 07:54 PM
the trocadero? good grief - don't take this seriously. this is right along side planet hollywood and all the other touristy baloney of picadilly circus. think game arcades, ripley's believe it or not (yeah, they have one of those too)and you get the idea. museum, hah! educational, hah! i predict this "business" will be bust in less than a year.
Posted by: lawbster | Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 01:33 AM
It, there for, reduces the involvement of "criminal element", and "the danger factor", and the "excitement of forbidden fruit".
So by default of "legalization" it becomes "less sleazy".
Posted by: MoscowGirl | Oct 15, 2005 7:39:28 PM
....you and your pompous a$$ demeanor, don't know where you're from, doesn't matter, "legalization" does not necessarily constitute "less sleazy" nor "less crime". Laws regulate the sex business, i.e., adult clubs/books, prostitution, porn, nudist associations, sex therapist clinics, anytime there is adult context, many cases there is also a darkside, regardless location...resided in europe many yrs...asia...saw my share of the red light district...business as usually for the men and women prostitutes, mainly out of necessity, as Alamo stated, lackof Freedom of personal choices...
Doesn't make sense, its location Soho's red light district, contradicts its propose MO.
Posted by: *flo* | Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 03:25 AM
The beauty of the USA --one can choose to live in a place where the state and local laws/ordinances and general attitude of the citizens suit their fancy...from purely puritancial to anything goes. And beyond that, those from group 1 can just drive on over to group 2s neighborhood occasionally if they feel so inclined. ;) It is all about personal choice and I'm glad we have that.
Posted by: dadreamer | Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 02:18 PM
Posted by: dadreamer | Oct 16, 2005 2:18:16 PM
Thanks to you and Alamo for setting the record straight...:)
Posted by: *flo* | Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 03:17 PM
a) ....you and your pompous a$$ demeanor
b) .... "legalization" does not necessarily constitute "less sleazy" nor "less crime".
Posted by: *flo* | Oct 16, 2005 3:25:54 AM
===================================
a)I am so glad my presence disturbs your Calvinistic Humbleness.... I just love to annoy people who live by Jantes Law.... :=)
b)Sorry, that's a dumb comment. "Legalization" of any formerly fobidden activity, "reduces" involvement of "criminal element", and THAT'S A HISTORIC FACT.
Look into your own country's history: "Prohibition".
- Legalization of practically any formerly considered "illegal" activities, gives business owners, employees, and customers of such, LEGITIMATE ACCESS to police protection and use of a legal system....
- It, to some degree, removes the "social stigma" of "utilization".....
Oh, I don't know if I should even waist time... Go learn things on your own.
Posted by: MoscowGirl | Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 03:55 PM
HELLO....
In this country, violence is good and sex is bad. If that is not a ridiculous message and concept, then I do not know what is. Blockbuster video will not rent pornographic videos where people are displayed in consenual sex acts, but start cutting off some heads of those naked women and you'll find an entire section devoted to that fare. Until we realize that sex is healthy and normal and violence is wierd and disgusting, we will never eliminate the kooks, crazies, and sexual deviants you display on this site,
Posted by: Diverticulum | Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 09:26 PM
I have the opportunity to live in both the USA as in the Netherlands. To be honest i do not see a lot of difference in sexual behaviour or crimes related. I do see that in both countries they look upon each other and have ideas without really understanding. Legalizing for instance does NOT mean that everything is allowed, or therefore you push people in bad behaviour.
the pornindustry is pretty active in the States, most pornmovies watched in Europe are made in the USA, so even if illegal it is being done anyway. It is a personal choice what you want to do, i think that is called freedom.
Posted by: mylena | Monday, October 17, 2005 at 05:04 PM
and a comment to Diverticulum, I think you are right sex is good and healthy :)
Posted by: mylena | Monday, October 17, 2005 at 05:20 PM