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Internet Porn Encourages Teenagers To Have Sex Early

An Unlikely Ally

He's an unlikely ally in the youth's impatient battle for change but, as Dan De Luce finds, the Ayatollah Khomeini's former right-hand man is ready for a new revolution.

A Cultural Yearning

They shoved aside the guards and forced their way to the entrance, screaming: 'Let us in!' It looked like a stampede at a football match. But this was Tehran and this mob wanted to get in to see the play. Two Swiss actors were performing a comic version of Hamlet last week and these young Iranians were not going to miss a rare chance to see Western culture up close.

'We really want this kind of contact with people and we don't have enough of it. It's like a cultural Chernobyl for us,' said Amir, a drama student at Tehran University. 'I'm trying to get a visa to study abroad but I can't get it.'

Students such as Amir know that foreign theatre companies and artists started to visit Iran only since the election of reformist President Mohammad Khatami five years ago. Compared with the austere rules of the 1980s, restrictions on the arts have eased in the Khatami era and artists say they have been given a new lease of life. But the pace of change on the cultural and political front seems too slow for young people who surf the internet and watch pirated Western films. Two-thirds of the population are under 25. They cannot remember the Shah's regime or the revolution that toppled him. They are pushing the boundaries of social norms and political orthodoxy. And they have an unlikely ally who shares their impatience.

An Unexpected Supporter

He is an 80-year-old cleric Ayatollah Hosein-Ali Montazeri who, as a theological student, became a protégé of the founder of the revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini. He worked to export Iran's revolution and was appointed to succeed Khomeini, his portrait hanging beside the supreme leader in shops and government offices. But Montazeri became disenchanted with the fruits of the revolution he helped shape. He wrote letters criticising the execution of political opponents and Khomeini eventually removed him as his successor, banning him from public activities. In 1997, Montazeri dared to cast doubt on the competence and legitimacy of Khomeini's successor, Ayatollah Khamenei, saying the supreme leader had overstepped his authority. He was placed under house arrest.

Last week, Montazeri was set free. Conservative newspapers had called for his release due to his ill health, hinting he might become a lightning rod for reformers if he died in custody. Last Thursday, Montazeri emerged from his home in defiant mood, insisting he had made no concessions . In his first public address for five years, he made a thinly veiled attack on the conservative clerics who, he says, are beyond accountability.

'God, whose property we all are, has given to all believers religious leadership, but not unlimited leadership,' he told supporters in a mosque near his home in the holy city of Qom, southwest of Tehran.

The Battle for Power

Montazeri's release is just one tactical move in an elaborate battle for power that has ensued since the landslide election of Khatami and his reformist allies in parliament. More than two decades after the Shah was ousted, those who led the revolution are engaged in a bitter struggle over its legacy. It is an argument about the role of religion in politics, social norms, and Iran's place in the world.

Since Khatami came to power, his efforts at fundamental reform have been thwarted, dozens of reform-minded newspapers have been shut down, and his allies who criticized the conservative clerics have been jailed. Some supporters have even questioned Khatami's resolve and vision, with one leading journalist demanding that he stand up to his conservative rivals or step aside and let others lead the way.

Khatami has thrown down the gauntlet by proposing two laws that would grant him authority and put limits on the powers of the clerics that have vetoed the parliament's reformist agenda. He has threatened to resign if his proposals are blocked -- a move some say could trigger unrest.

'Time is running out for both sides,' said one analyst. 'This issue cannot be postponed much longer.'

The Power of the Conservatives

But the conservatives, who say the reformers are ready to sell out in favor of corrupting Western influences, are not without support. Although the reformists have compared the conservative clergy to the aging Soviet leadership, there are key differences. One of them is oil. Iran has a steady stream of oil revenue and, with the oil price rising, the conservatives can soften discontent with ample cash.

The looming war in neighboring Iraq further complicates the power struggle. Both sides are trying to exploit it to their advantage. The memories of Iran's horrific eight-year war with Iraq are still vivid and nobody here harbors sympathy for Saddam Hussein's regime. Some Iranians even hope that the presence of a US sponsored government in Iraq would add to pressure for reform.

The reformists fear the conservatives could use the pretext of a US-led campaign in Iraq for a final crackdown. Khatami may find it difficult to fulfill his threat to resign when having to protect Iran's interests -- and his cause -- amid conflict next door.

Although Iran has officially criticized US policy toward Iraq and called for a diplomatic settlement, it has kept its options open to influence a post-Saddam world. The government has issued visas to Iraqi opposition groups even though most have ties to Washington. For years, Iran has funded and supported the main Shi'ite opposition group, the Supreme Council for Islamic revolution in Iraq -- the only opposition group with an organized military force.

With Iran set to play an important role in post-war Iraq and with its leadership locked in conflict, Western governments are debating over the best way to approach Tehran. Washington has become disappointed with the reformers and chosen to keep Iran at arm's length. European Commissioner Christopher Patten, who arrives in Tehran tomorrow for an unprecedented three-day visit, advocates a policy of engagement or 'critical dialogue' in the hope of pushing the door open to more reform.

The outcome of Iran's political drama may depend less on outside governments and more on the young Iranians pushing at that theater door. How this play ends will have repercussions throughout the Middle East and the Islamic world.

Impact of Internet Porn on Teenagers

Teenagers today are growing up in a digital age where access to information and content is readily available at their fingertips. While the internet has brought numerous benefits, it has also raised concerns about the impact of certain content, particularly pornography, on young minds.

Studies have shown that exposure to internet pornography can have detrimental effects on teenagers, including influencing their attitudes towards sex and relationships, distorting their perception of body image, and encouraging risky sexual behavior at an early age.

The availability and accessibility of pornographic material online have made it increasingly difficult for parents and educators to monitor and control what young people are exposed to. In many cases, teenagers stumble upon explicit content unintentionally while browsing the internet or through peer pressure.

Research indicates that early exposure to pornography can shape teenagers' understanding of sex and relationships, often presenting unrealistic and distorted portrayals of sexual encounters. This can contribute to a skewed perception of what is considered normal and healthy in intimate relationships.

Additionally, pornographic content tends to objectify and dehumanize individuals, particularly women, reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes and influencing teenagers' attitudes towards their own bodies and the bodies of others. It can also create unrealistic expectations and pressures around sexual performance and appearance.

Furthermore, internet pornography has been linked to an increased likelihood of teenagers engaging in risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex and early sexual activity. Research has shown that exposure to explicit content can lead to a desensitization to the emotional and physical consequences of sexual encounters, potentially increasing the risk of engaging in unsafe practices.

It is important for parents, educators, and communities to address these concerns and provide young people with the necessary education and support to navigate the online world responsibly. Open discussions about healthy relationships, consent, and the potential harms of pornography can help teenagers develop critical thinking skills and make informed decisions about their own sexual behavior.

Furthermore, implementing effective internet safety measures, such as parental controls and filtering software, can help limit teenagers' exposure to explicit content and create a safer online environment for them.

Overall, the influence of internet pornography on teenagers cannot be underestimated. It is crucial for society to address this issue proactively and provide young people with the guidance and tools they need to develop healthy attitudes towards sex and relationships in the digital age.

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