This thread originally started in the Wearing a Bikini thread (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/...aring-a-Bikini). I have started this thread to continue the discussion without detracting from (or hijacking) that thread. The following quotes are fromthat original thread and I believe they are all of the quotes that are pertinent to this thread. I may have missed some though so please feel free to include anything I missed.
The original post was:
Followed later by:
Followed by:
To which I posted:
Followed later by:
I think this is a valuable topic to explore so I started this thread so more people may be comfortable in posting their opinions without detracting from the original thread.
I think you may have missed the point of my comments.
No, I don't hate myself so much that I 'think it is reasonable that children have to be protected from (even just seeing) you, least they be "morally" damaged forever?' My point was that parenting well is a very difficult thing to do and that I do not feel justified in making it even harder than it already is by imposing my views on parents (and children) who may not be ready to face those issues. Each parent is responsible for teaching their children their moral values. While I may not agree with those values, it is not my decision to make.
[SIZE=3]There is definitely some validity to this in that emotionally, I have not yet matured to the point where I don't feel any guilt over my cross dressing. Rationally, there is no reason for my guilt but emotions are rarely (in my opinion) ruled by rational processes. Emotions, by their very nature, are not rational. While emotions can eventually be changed by using rational processes, their origins are based on a huge list of events that created who we are.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I was not raised Catholic (and I am not picking on Catholics, I am merely stating anecdotal evidence) so I cannot attest to the validity of what I am about to say. I am reminded of the many stories I have heard and read about the guilt that many adults who were raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools feel as adults, even though they may have come to a rational conclusion that there is nothing immoral about their actions. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]It is very difficult for us, even as adults, to overcome what we perceive as the inappropriate programming we received as children. The emotions that hit us, frequently unexpectedly, as adults are a direct result of our previous programming and experiences. Good parents (in my opinion) realize this and attempt (never perfectly) to prevent their children from being inappropriately (in their opinion) programmed. That is their right and their responsibility as parents. Why would I want to make their job tougher?[/SIZE]