become so commonplace that casual sex and extreme violence are being accepted as "normal''. As a result there is a tendency for people to become inured to both the violence and the sex. Thus explicit sex and violence in "entertainment'' have become more general and, for some people, acceptable.

Often violence and sex in entertainment accompany one another and create the impression that they naturally go together.

As an example, Bermudians used to complain about sex and violence on TV at any time when the children were still out of bed. But people seem to have become accustomed to the sex and violence and tired of complaining because, with the advent of Cable and the open displays of sex and violence at any time of the day and night, the complaints seem to have stopped. Explicit sex is so common on Cable TV that it hardly attracts any attention at all and violence is becoming more and more bloody and more and more graphic even in "family'' programmes.

Since its earliest days Hollywood has set fashions. Such things as emotional behaviour, romance, social acceptability, wars, clothes, interior design, have all been heavily influenced by movies. Films set standards which become acceptable. It is not unusual for people to lead their lives according to what they see on the "silver screen''. It should not be unexpected that films and television, both now constantly in our homes thanks to Cable TV, are making explicit sex and bloody violence commonplace. Gun use can become another commonplace now that it is usual on film. Four letter words are almost as frequently used on TV as they are on Bermuda's streets.

Under the protection of freedom of expression, some of this exploitation of sex and violence is caused by the almighty dollar. Desperation for large audiences which lead to higher advertising rates causes TV producers to resort to extraordinary measures. They produce what they think will sell best. A result is a breakdown in public taste which no longer shuns the coarse and the crude. Thus a good deal of the exploitation of sex and violence can be put down to public demand.

Film is not the only culprit. It is difficult to discuss family values any more because the discussion is blasted out of the living room by the vulgar lyrics of pop songs which often glorify violent casual sex and deviant behaviour.

But things are changing a little. Serious voices in opposition are being raised and not just voices of oppression. Oprah, once a leader in bringing perversions to the living room, is softening her approach now that she is rich beyond belief. Hollywood is making an attempt to present more family oriented films.

Those who are questioning the need for sex and violence in entertainment are more concerned about the ramifications of the shows than they are about the content itself. They are not interested in censorship but in protecting people from excess. They believe that excess leads to destruction. This is not a question of depriving people of seeing what they want to see, but of preventing the constant display of violence from leading to a violent society.

Violent behaviour is learned in many ways and much of it is learned as entertainment ... so are casual sex ... and drugs.