This page contains quotes of people who are considered influential by many Americans.

Americans once expected parents to raise their children in accordance with the dominant cultural messages. Today they are expected to raise their children in opposition to them.

Once the chorus of cultural values was full of ministers, teachers, neighbors, leaders. They demanded more conformity, but offered more support. Now the messengers are violent cartoon characters, rappers and celebrities selling sneakers. Parents are considered "responsible" only if they are successful in their resistance.

That's what makes child-raising harder. It's not just that American families have less time with their kids; it's that we have to spend more of this time doing battle with our own culture.

The Commission considered a wide range of evidence and determined that violent pornography is harmful. The Commission also found that pornography containing degradation, subordination, or humiliation is harmful. While Commission members were unable to agree about the extent of harm which is caused by other sexually explicit material and depictions of nudity, the Commission expressed strong concern about the impact of these materials on children. Child pornography is a special horror since it represents the actual abuse of children and is used to seduce other children.

Obscenity is unprotected by the First Amendment, but laws making it illegal are under-enforced. Because of the harmful impact of obscene materials on people and society, these laws should have a substantially higher priority in enforcement efforts. The Commission made 92 recommendations to federal and state policy makers and law enforcement officials. Action against pornography by private citizens is not only their right, but also their duty, and is therefore encouraged.