Joe ... taken as given. Thanks. I've not had children but am a surrogate mother to my youngest sister's 3 children and the issue of violence and to what they are exposed via movies, tv, music, etc. is ever on my mind. I'm afraid that, if they lived with me, I would smother them, which would definitely not be a good thing. I wasn't a particularly rebellious child, therefore, my parents gave me lots of freedom. What I watched and read was not censored and it never crossed my mind to do the things depicted in my uncensored reading matter. It's a different world today. I lived in Washington DC from the late 1960's to late 1970's and I went wherever I wanted. I wouldn't do that today. How does one teach against violence without showing what violence is? I don't have an answer. I believe, with all my heart, that the majority of parents do the best they can and at some point children have to take responsibility for their actions. I'm not sure at what age that occurs. I sense a sadness in this thread, from two individuals who don't have an answer or cure for today's violence, let alone past acts of violence. I wish I did ... I sure you do, too. moonchild