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Comment by chaps | Hacker News Reader

My high school programming class got to go on a field trip to the studio that made LSL for a studio tour. Since, well, high schoolers, they did everything they could not to mention the series until one of my classmates raised his hand in the middle of the tour and (knowingly) asked, "Hey uh, what's this 'Leisure Suit Larry' game?'". Can't remember his exact response, but it was something like "Oh that's just an.. adventure of a guy who's trying to find himself a partner." and quickly changed the subject with a[n equally knowing] laugh. Good times.

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Is it still a taboo in the US to talk about sex with people aged 14-18?

Try harder, friend.

I assume this is a yes.

It's not a yes nor is it a no because man, I'm really not sure what amounts to, "is it okay for teachers to show high schoolers a video game centered around trying to fuck anything that moves" is the right topic to even approach that question.

Everyone in the room thought the situation was funny. There's not really anything deeper to probe there, nor is it a reflection on "TheHE UNiTeteDS TtaTeS HAatTs SEx".

> "TheHE UNiTeteDS TtaTeS HAatTs SEx"

The US does have a pretty weird relationship with sexual topics though.

Being one of the most prolific porn (and especially family porn) producers, really sexualised advertising and media, yet going batshit crazy when a nipple is shown on TV. The hyper aversion to LGBT topics in some areas. The Don't ask, don't tell, the bans on education on LGBT topics.. I find it really strange how these extremes can be reconciled.

PS: I am not the person you replied to though, but it does all surprise me a lot. Where I'm from there is less moral upheaval about these topics, more of "as long as you're having consensual adult fun it's great".

However I do see part of this mindset blowing over. Especially in terms of hate against transsexual people (like what's also seen very strongly in Floriday). I have many trans friends so it bothers and worries me.

You're really preaching to the choir there. But again and kindly, I'm not sure my childhood memory from 20 years ago is the right place as a launchpad for this discussion..

Too true. A LSL thread isnt probably a good place for it.

But one thing I've noticed in all my years here, is that there's national philosophical disputes. And these disputes are defined by hardliners on all sides of an issue, and they are basically irreconcilable. Sex is one such topic. Discussion of sex with minors in a school setting is another (distinct with just general sex). Abortion (again, variant of sex) is another. Transgenerism is another one, recently added. LGTBQ discussion in schools is another.

Because of the start schism on all those topics, they tend to invade around any of those issues being discussed.. And in this, is all about sex. The helium-filled blowup doll floating around the Lounge Lizards' screen sure puts a point on it! And it's all about sex.

But even the creators added in a "kid trap", with now what is really dated questions. Even they knew that was a line you don't cross. (But that puberty-18 age meant you probably knew these and played anyway. But that was the fun of cheating the system.)

The US is a big country. So the answer is it depends. There are probably more progressive people in the US than any single European country. Where I live in Seattle, I think the majority talk openly with their kids about any sexual topic. In fact, last night I 10 year old asked me what an orgasim is. I told her, no big deal. All the parents I know handle questions in the same way, even with young kids. There are other areas/communities of the country where I suspect that’s not the case.

Unfortunately nuance and the complexity of any society isn’t conveyed via news, television or movies, which is the main way people are exposed to other cultures.

It's the US, so education of any kind is viewed as evil.

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