Advances in media technology, specifically the videotape industry, have made pornography widely available. Opponents of pornography include religious groups, law enforcement officers, some politicians, and some feminists. A distinction is made between eroticism (occurring between consenting participants) and pornography (signifying overt or covert…

This document provides witness testimony and prepared statements from five sessions of the Congressional hearing called to consider the question of pornographic material and its effects on women and children. Witnesses include several victims of sexual abuse, medical personnel, legal and law enforcement personnel, magazine representatives, and…

This report was developed to highlight some of the most effective state laws that concern child victimization. It is intended for use by state legislators, governors, and state officials as well as by all citizens concerned about protecting children. A sampling of varied legislation from several states is included which demonstrates how the issues…

To right-wing groups and some feminists pornography symbolizes immorality. The Attorney General's Commission on Pornography supported this thinking. It concluded that pornography increases aggression and it instituted a crackdown on pornography. Since no empirical evidence supports its conclusions, the commission was more concerned with censorship…

Two models are prevalent in obscenity research: one is democratic and political, the second is rational and scientific. An inquiry using the former model found that obscenity did no harm while another study using the latter model had opposite findings. It is difficult to mediate citizens' rights with moral ideology. (VM)

Summarizes the differences between American and Canadian government structures, and discusses the Constitution Act of 1982, the Meech Lake Accord, and other recent developments in Canada. Three government issues of interest to special librarians are described: the Free Trade Agreement; an amendment to the Copyright Act; and an amendment dealing…

Presents an exercise in which students interview various groups of citizens--church leaders, school officials, government and business leaders--in order to give students a broader understanding of the definitions of obscenity and community standards. (HTH)

Reviews four recent court decisions affecting school law. A Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upheld Norfolk Schools' decision to abolish busing and reinstate neighborhood schools. The United States Supreme Court dismissed appeals to lower court decisions involving a minimum grade prerequisite, a teacher's privacy rights, and an "adult"…

Examines the availability of objectionable material on the Internet, censorship, and the feasibility of censorship. Outlines control efforts in the United States, discusses attempts to regulate electronic media in Australia from 1990-96, and summarizes responses of the Australian Council on Library and Information Services and the Australian…

The availability of objectionable material on the Internet creates a conflict between the rights of computer users and universities. This article examines free speech and censorship; highlights responses by Carnegie Mellon University, University of Oklahoma, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Pittsburgh; and proposes a…

A study of girls' Internet usage collected data from 1,246 girls aged 13-18 via focus groups, personal journals, and surveys. Many girls didn't know how to react to situations like pornography or sexual harassment in chat room conversations. Girls wanted proactive involvement from adults, not just prohibitive advice, on navigating the Internet.…

Notes that short-term exposure to nonviolent sexual media stimuli can produce cognitive changes in men which can affect their behavior toward women. Explores differences among these behavioral effects in a group of male and female undergraduate students based upon sexual degradation in film content and male viewers' gender schematicity. Discusses…

A few colleges have turned down grants from the National Endowment for the Arts because recipients must sign a controversial pledge that they will not use the funds for work that may be considered obscene. Many scholars do not believe that accepting money will infringe academic freedom. (MLW)

Discusses the higher educational background of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from his acceptance at Holy Cross College through affirmative action through Yale University. The authors provide a description of Justice Thomas as a person who constantly felt he was being looked down upon and describe his bitterness and frustration following…

Many college faculty and students are upset by a Senate measure limiting obscenity on the Internet, feeling it would damage the network and infringe on free speech rights. The current measure seeks to punish individuals distributing items deemed offensive, but generally protects system operators. (MSE)