Category Archives: Child Molestation

September 13, 2026 · 1:00 am

Gaming the System, Part 1

Creative Commons Licensed Clipboard Fraud Image, Source Picpedia.org, Authors Nick Youngson http://www.nyphotographic.com/ and Alpha Stock Images https://alphastockimages.com/, (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported)

As we watch the family break down, government is both accelerating the process and attempting to take up the slack, albeit stumbling under the load [1][2].  Regrettably, there are many whose aim in life is to “game the system” for their own benefit.  This has not helped.

The impact on children, in particular, is devastating.

Government Aid Programs

With charitable support by churches having weakened over the years, the need for government funding of poverty housing, nutritional assistance for the poor, and support for the disabled has increased [3][4][5].

  • Co-parenting – shared responsibility for childrearing by those no longer in a relationship – is a reality these days, as divorce rates attest [6].  Some 40% of first marriages end in divorce; 60% – 67% of second and third marriages end that way [7].  However, 2/3 of non-resident fathers avoid formal child support payments [8A].  Unpaid child support in the United States exceeds $32 billion [8B].
  • Illegitimacy rates (which plunge children into poverty) demonstrate that co-parenting would be a dream come true for many single parents abandoned by a partner [9][10].  By 2022, 52% of the children of single mothers were living below the poverty line. Welfare benefits and food stamps – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – are tremendously important.
  • Government benefits to physically or mentally disabled individuals can be a lifesaver. The caregivers paid by the government to regularly look after the sick, elderly, or disabled are a real blessing.

Fraud

Unfortunately, government programs meant to assist the needy cannot be effectively monitored, so fraud is easily missed [11].  There was, for instance, a massive Medicaid fraud exceeding $90 million recently uncovered in Minnesota [12].

Regrettably, there are those who see the government as an open cash register, readily susceptible to false claims:  claims that a relationship does not exist, even as children are brought into the world; claims of unemployment where employment “under the table” is ongoing, or income is derived by other illegal means; claims of disability where none exists; and claims of caregiving where none is rendered (or none needed at all) [13A].

Food stamps are traded by some for liquor, drugs, cigarettes or cash on the black market.  In 2019, there was an estimated $1 billion in such SNAP fraud [14].

In addition to this, scammers using skimming technology annually steal around $12 billion in food stamps from families [15]. 

Impact of Government Aid Programs on Marriage

“…If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess. 3: 10).

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5: 8).

Despite the best of intentions, many aid programs have had the unintended consequence of undermining both the work ethic and marriage [16][17][18]. 

Why work and be required to pay taxes, if the government is willing to provide food and housing [13B][19]?  Why marry and be required to support children, if the government is willing to do that?  So goes the warped thinking of more than a few.

Of course, no amount of government aid can replace an absent father in the life of a child [20][21][22].

Weaponized Protective Orders  

Meanwhile, overburdened courts, now faced with an avalanche of requests for Protective Orders in custody cases, struggle to distinguish between true and false claims of abuse [23].

—

[1] GovFacts, “How Government Is Adapting to the Changing American Family”, 8/25/25, https://govfacts.org/long-term-challenges-future/social-cultural-futures/changing-family-structures/how-government-is-adapting-to-the-changing-american-family/.

[2] Michael Carbonara, “What is the current trend in the American family structure? A clear overview” by Michael Carbonara, 2/20/26, https://michaelcarbonara.com/the-american-family-today-trends/.

[3]  NRB, “New Surveys Find Charitable Giving In Decline”, 8/8/14, https://nrb.org/new-surveys-find-charitable-giving-in-decline/.

[4]  Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, “Giving USA 2025:  Trends in Religious Giving” by Erica Dollhopf PhD,  https://lakeinstitute.org/resource-library/insights/july-15-2025/.

[5]  Horizons Stewardship, “Giving USA 2024:  Disturbing Trends Giving Trends”,  https://blog.horizons.net/giving-usa-research-giving-trends.

[6]   Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Marriage and Divorce”, 3/17/25, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/marriage-divorce.htm.

[7]  Divorce Law, “US Divorce Rate Hits 50-Year Low:  Only 40% of First Marriages Now End in Divorce” by Antonio Jimenez, Esq., 4/4/26, https://divorce.law/guides/news/us-divorce-rate-hits-50-year-low-only-40-percent-first-marriages-end-divorce/.

[8A and 8B]  Rich Niches, “Deadbeat Dad Statistics:  Understanding the Impact on Families and Society in 2023” by Ryan Kangail and Rich Niches, 6/2/26, https://richniches.com/deadbeat-dads-statistics/.

[9]  Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Unmarried Childbearing”, 6/10/26, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/unmarried-childbearing.htm.

[10]  Worldmetrics, “Single Mother Poverty Statistics” by Kathryn Blake, 5/5/26, https://worldmetrics.org/single-mother-poverty-statistics/.

[11]  Connect US, “17 Huge Advantages and Disadvantages of Welfare”, 5/17/19, https://connectusfund.org/17-huge-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-welfare.

[12] US Dept. of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, “Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in Charges Against 15 Defendants for $90M in Fraud”, 5/21/26, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/minnesota-health-care-fraud-takedown-results-charges-against-15-defendants-over-90m-fraud#:~:text=The%20Justice%20Department%20today%20announced%20the%20Minnesota%20Health,and%20first-of-their%20kind%20charges%20involving%20additional%20Medicaid%20programs.

[13A and 13B]  Institute for Youth in Policy, “Cons: Welfare”, https://yipinstitute.org/article/cons-welfare.

[14]  Esquilo, “Who Buys Food Stamps for Cash:  The Truth Behind this Illicit Trade” by Stephen Adriano, 12/29/23, https://esquilo.io/food-stamps/who-buys-food-stamps-for-cash/.

[15]  Investigate TV, “Families suffer as $12 billion stolen from food assistance programs, USDA says” by Anastassia Olmos, 11/11/25, https://www.investigatetv.com/2025/11/11/families-suffer-12-billion-stolen-food-assistance-programs-usda-says/.

[16]  University of Maryland, School of Public Policy, Welfare Reform Academy, “Understanding the Rise in Illegitimacy” by Robert Rector, https://welfareacademy.umd.edu/conf/papers/rector_p.html.

[17]  US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, “Congressional Testimony by Robert Rector – Understanding Marriage Penalties in Welfare and Their Impact on Society”, 2/11/25, https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Rector-Written-Testimony.pdf.

[18]  Brookings Institute, “Fragile Families, Welfare Reform, and Marriage” by Irwin Garfinkel, Ronald Mincy, and Sara McLanahan, 12/1/01, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/fragile-families-welfare-reform-and-marriage/.

[19]  Classroom/Synonym, “The Disadvantages of Social Welfare to Human Development” by Joel Garrison, 9/28/17, https://classroom.synonym.com/the-disadvantages-of-social-welfare-to-human-development-12084203.html.

[20]  The Parenting Pro, “Absent Fathers: How Fatherless Homes Affect Child Development” by Michael Bennett, 4/20/25, https://theparentingpro.com/effects-of-absent-fathers-on-child-development/.

[21]  NeuroLaunch, “Psychological Effects of Absent Parents:  Long-Term Impact on Children’s Well-Being”, 9/14/24 (Edited 7/3/26), https://neurolaunch.com/psychological-effects-of-absent-parents/.

[22]  Owlcation, “Echoes of Absence:  The Lasting Impact of A Missing Father”, 6/24/25, https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/psychological-effects-of-growing-up-without-a-father.

[23]  Attorney at Law Magazine, “The Silver Bullet Method:  The Rise of False Allegations in Divorce and Custody Cases” by Padideh Jafari, 3/3/25, https://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/legal/legal-trends/the-silver-bullet-method-the-rise-of-false-allegations-in-divorce-and-custody-cases.

This series will conclude next week.

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September 6, 2026 · 1:00 am

Unrequited

“Ich Liebe Dich (I Love You) – Broken Heart”, Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/donaldjudge/52226706001/, Author Donald Judge, (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)

You love someone desperately.  Being around the beloved is a joy, whether the interaction is romantic or not.  You live on hope that a relationship will develop.  Only the object of your affection does not return your love, and may not even be aware of it.

Unrequited love is the experience of strong romantic feelings that go unreciprocated [1A].  

This one-sided affection leads to intense sadness, feelings of rejection, and emotional exhaustion – not surprising, since the brain processes romantic rejection similarly to physical pain [2A].

Roots of Unrequited Love

The victims of childhood abuse or neglect may be particularly vulnerable to unrequited love [3A][4A].

Abuse (whether emotional, physical, or sexual) and neglect leave us with the haunting feeling that we are damaged and unworthy of love.  We idealize love, and are happy with the smallest crumbs of affection.

Attachment Styles

As a result, some of us develop an “avoidant” attachment style.  Unconsciously, we pursue emotionally distant partners. 

This allows us the illusion of a relationship with all its emotional highs and lows while, at the same time, preserving our control, letting us avoid vulnerability, and reinforcing our belief that we are unlovable [1B][3B]. 

In a genuine relationship, our flaws would be visible.  The prospect of that is too frightening.

Others develop an “anxious” or needy attachment style.  We may fixate on unavailable partners, but interpret unresponsiveness as a challenge to win affection [1C][3C][7].  We simply try harder. 

This keeps us attached to narcissists who dole out affection with an eye dropper [3D]. In fact, we seek out partners that make us feel needed (ignoring the red flags that should send us running for safety).

The approach can, also, undermine healthy relationships.  Any slight by a partner is immediately interpreted as a lack of concern or outright abandonment.  No reassurance is sufficient, and the relationship eventually fails.

Impact of Unrequited Love

Unreciprocated affection can lower our self-esteem, causing us to question our desirability and value [1D][4B].  We replay conversations and events endlessly, in the fruitless search for clues to securing the love we so desire [2B].

Over time, unrequited love can lead to negative self-talk, self-doubt, and even depression [5A].  It may, also, impede forming meaningful connections with available partners [6A].  We may not even recognize that they are there.

Link to Obsession

As mentioned, childhood abuse or neglect can manifest as the maladaptive attempt to regulate our fear of abandonment and sense of unworthiness by clinging to a disinterested romantic partner [7].  The degree to which we cling to the illusion of a relationship actually reflects the emptiness inside us.

Anger and resentment can, also, emerge when our admiration for the beloved is frustrated [2C].

This is the emotional turmoil that is obsession.

Healing from Unrequited Love

Recovering from unrequited love is definitely possible.  Distance from the beloved can be a major step in the direction of healing [3E][5B][6B].  This should be coupled with self-care, and supportive relationships.  Professional counseling can help us gain perspective.

Our challenge is to exchange idealization for a realistic understanding of love.  Neither we nor our partner will ever be perfect.  We do not have to be to deserve love.

—

[1A through 1D]  Science News Today, “Unrequited Love:  The Science, Psychology, and Human Experience of Loving Without Return”, 11/4/25, https://www.sciencenewstoday.org/unrequited-love-the-science-psychology-and-human-experience-of-loving-without-return.

[2A, 2B, and 2C]  PsyCix, “The Psychological Effects of Unrequited Love”, 11/24/25, https://www.psycix.com/article/the-psychological-effects-of-unrequited-love.

[3A through 3E]  PsychCentral, “How Childhood Emotional Neglect Impacts Adult Relationships and How to Heal” by Hope Gillette, 7/13/22, https://psychcentral.com/relationships/childhood-emotional-neglect-romantic-relationships.

[4A and 4B]  Brainz Magazine, “Why Childhood Sexual Abuse Could Be Affecting Your Love Life Now” by Sandra Cohen PhD, 2/19/25, https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/why-childhood-sexual-abuse-could-be-affecting-your-love-life-now.

[5A and 5B]  Marriage, “7 Possible Effects of Unrequited Love & What You Can Do” by Dylan Banks, 3/25/26, https://www.marriage.com/advice/self-love/effects-of-unrequited-love/.

[6A and 6B]  Psychreg, “Unrequited Love Can Harm Your Mental Health But There Are Ways to Heal” by Dino Relojo, 11/7/25, https://www.psychreg.org/unrequited-love-can-harm-your-mental-health-but-there-are-ways-heal/.

[7]  Psychology Today, “How Childhood Neglect Can Turn Love into Obsession” by Annie Tanasugarn, 12/24/25, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-ptsd/202512/how-childhood-neglect-can-turn-love-into-obsession.

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August 30, 2026 · 1:00 am

Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Homelessness

Unknown homeless man, Author Magdalena Roeseler, (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

We tend to shun the homeless. We may pity them, may even refer to them using the politically correct term “unhoused individuals” which supposedly preserves their dignity while doing nothing to improve their condition.

But we are likely to feel disgusted or threatened by them, at the same time.

Admittedly, a majority of the homeless do suffer from mental illness and/or addiction [1]. Yet research has consistently shown that there is strong correlation between childhood abuse and later homelessness [2].

And it should not be overlooked that approximately 1/3 of the homeless are families with children (85% of them single mothers) — some 259,473 men, women, and children among the estimated 770,00 homeless in the United States [7].

There is a link not just to child abuse, but to domestic violence here.  Over 92% of homeless mothers with children have experienced severe physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetimes [8].  Moreover, 38% of all domestic violence victims become homeless at some point in their lives [9].

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

The highly respected Adverse Childhood Experiences framework — widely used in public health, medicine, education, and social services — arose from a landmark study by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente in the 1990s [3A]. 

Over 17,000 participants were asked about adverse childhood experiences in three categories:  abuse (emotional, physical or sexual); neglect (emotional or physical); and household dysfunction (parental mental illness, parental substance abuse, domestic violence, parental separation or divorce, and parental incarceration).

Among the homeless, 89.8% reported having had 1 or more adverse childhood experiences, and 53.9% reported having had 4 or more [4A].  In the general population, 38-39% reported having had 1 adverse childhood experience, while 3-5% reported having had 4 or more [4B].

Impact of Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma creates vulnerabilities that may compound with time [3B]:

  • Childhood trauma alters brain structure and function, making it more difficult to manage emotions, and reach sound decisions.  This has the potential to undermine stable housing and employment, as an adult.
  • Childhood trauma damages children’s trust and disrupts the support systems they need to thrive, interfering with their ability to form healthy relationships.  Chaos is normalized.  Self-sabotage becomes an unconscious life strategy. This can result in unstable adult relationships and attraction to abusive partners.  Social isolation can be a maladaptive means of self-protection, leading to avoidance of services like schools, job programs, or shelters that could be of help.
  • Childhood trauma increases the risk of mental illness which, also, has the potential to undermine stable housing and employment.  Those with over 4 adverse childhood experiences are at 4.6 times the risk of depression, and 12 times the risk of suicide, compared with the general population.
  • Childhood trauma greatly increases the risk of alcoholism and drug addiction.  Those with over 4 adverse childhood experience are at over 7 times the risk of alcoholism, and over 10 times the risk of intravenous drug use.  Self-medication becomes addiction.

Foster Care

Not only do the children placed in foster care all too often experience further trauma there, but aging out of foster care puts them at extraordinary risk of homelessness. They simply have no support system.  Between 20-25% of those aging out of foster care are homeless within 4 years; over 50% are homeless by age 26 [3C].

Runaways

This does not take into account the young people who run away from unsafe homes where violence or sexual abuse is ongoing daily [5A].  These become the children of the streets, the easy prey of pimps and sex traffickers [6].

The Root of Homelessness

Early intervention; trauma informed services at school; regular monitoring and support, if children are placed in foster care; provision for adequate housing in Safety/Treatment Plans when children are about to age out of foster care; and trauma-informed healthcare are key to addressing the problem of homelessness at its root [5B].

This is the responsibility of a civilized society. Of course, we may not qualify as that.

“Is this not the fast I [your God] have chosen…To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free…? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isa. 58: 6-7).

—

[1] Psychiatric News, “Most People Experiencing Homelessness Have Mental Health Disorders, Study Says”, https://alert.psychnews.org/2024/04/most-people-experiencing-homelessness.html.

[2]  Wikipedia, “Youth homelessness”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_homelessness.

[3A, 3B, and 3C]  The Steady Ground, “Childhood Trauma and Adult Homelessness:  The ACEs Connection”, January 2025, https://thesteadyground.org/articles/childhood-trauma-homelessness.html.

[4A and 4B]  The Lancet, “Adverse childhood experiences and homelessness:  advance and aspirations” by Katherine Koh and Ann Montgomery,   https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667%2821%2900210-3/fulltext.

[5A and 5B]  National Crimes Against Children Investigators Assoc. (NCACIA), “Nowhere to Go:  Understanding the Link Between Child Abuse and Homelessness”, https://www.ncacia.org/post/nowhere-to-go-understanding-the-link-between-child-abuse-and-homelessness.

[6]  2026 Calendar-Canada, “What’s the difference between a pimp and a trafficker?”, https://www.calendar-canada.ca/frequently-asked-questions/whats-the-difference-between-a-pimp-and-a-trafficker.

[7] Institute for Children, Poverty, & Homelessness, “The Hidden Homelessness: Families with Children in the US”, August 2025, https://www.icph.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Family-Homelessness-101-National-WEB_8.21.25.pdf.

[8] Green Doors, “Family Homelessness Facts”, https://www.greendoors.org/facts/family-homelessness.php.

[9] American Bar Association, “Five Facts about Domestic and Sexual Violence and Homelessness”, https://www.americanbar.org/groups/domestic_violence/Initiatives/five-for-five/five-facts-homelessness/.

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August 23, 2026 · 1:00 am

Cosplay

Cosplay Convention, Author KoS (CC Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic, 1.0 Generic, GNU Free Documentation License)

There is a world of which most of us are unaware.  On the surface, this world may seem innocent; may seem a children’s game of fantasy, of dress up and role play, in which adults engage.   But there is a sinister aspect. This is the world of cosplay [1]. 

Escapism and Fame

Cosplay, in simplest terms, is the practice of dressing up as a favorite character from a movie, comic book, or video game.  It is a world populated by many who are nerds, lonely, bullied, seeking to escape their lives…or seeking fame.

Costume Cost

Cosplayers invest a great deal of time, attention, and expense in the effort to portray their characters accurately.  The cost of a costume can vary between $50 and $5000 or more, depending on the design, materials used, and craftsmanship [2A]. 

On average, cosplayers spend 40 hours building an individual costume, but may spend months learning to sew, style wigs, or craft foam into armor [2B].

Global Market

The results are shared at conventions and online [3][4]. 

Multi-genre conventions may range from Anime, Sci-Fi, Comics, and Gaming to Furry, Horror, Steampunk, and Post-Apocalyptic [5A].  Show specific conventions focus on particular shows such as My Little Pony, Power Rangers, or Doctor Who [5B].  Comic Con International in San Diego and Anime Expo in Los Angeles are two well known examples.

These are not amateur ventures.  The global cosplay market is expected to reach $23 billion by 2030 [6].

Monetization

Individuals can monetize their efforts in a variety of ways:  by making costumes, props, and accessories for others; by merchandising their own designs; by offering workshops; by hosting Live Action Role Play (LARP) events; or by creating online content featuring the characters they portray [7]. 

Not surprisingly, sexualized content draws the highest paying subscribers online [8A].

Dark Fantasies

“Characters once designed to be feared, hated, or opposed are now among the most photographed and celebrated figures in cosplay culture [9A].”

This is where dark fantasies come into play.  Villains are portrayed at least as often as heroes or heroines [9B][10].  Characters like Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler), Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen), Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII), and Muzan (Demon Slayer) are among the most photographed [9C]. 

Online content can be highly disturbing [8B]. And cosplayers who remain in character may become lost in their own fantasies.

Empowerment

For those who have been shattered by some form of abuse, cosplay may afford an escape from reality; welcome, if brief, relief from their pain.  

Cosplay may – at least temporarily – assist with low self-esteem.  Creative expression is good for the soul [1A].  The emotional and psychological shift can make a cosplayer feel invincible [11B][12A]. 

Conventions are filled with ready-made friends, or so it seems [11C][12B].  And the association with a villain can feel empowering, allowing the release of long repressed anger.

But the allure of that fantasy world may be more powerful than empowering.

Crossing A Line

In 2021, Helen Hastings, 18 y.o., was shot in the head by her friend and fellow cosplayer, Mary Anne Oliver-Snow a/k/a Yandere Freak [8C][13][14]. 

Although the shooting was an apparent accident, Snow’s portrayals of her cosplay character had become increasingly violent.  She spent days in character, on screen and off, appearing as a harmless Anime child who gleefully murders her friends.

Was a line between fantasy and reality crossed here?  The temptation was certainly there. And the danger remains for those who may be vulnerable to it.

—

[1]  Wikipedia, “Cosplay”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosplay.

[2A and 2B]  Gank, “How Much Are Cosplay Costumes:  The Genuine Cosplaying Budget”, 10/17/22, https://ganknow.com/blog/how-much-are-cosplay-costumes/.

[3]  Cosplay Convention Center, “Your Convention Season Starts Here”, https://www.cosplayconventioncenter.com/.

[4]  FanCons, “Convention Schedule”, https://fancons.com/events/.

[5A and 5B]  https://popculthq.com/cosplay-convention-list/.

[6]  Business Calculators by Bigger Bottom Line, “How to Start a Cosplay LARP Business:  Funding Guide”, 8/22/25, https://business-calculators.com/how-to-start-a-cosplay-larp-business-funding-guide/.

[7]  Starter Story, “20 Business Ideas for Cosplayers [2026] by Pat Walls, 9/27/24, https://www.starterstory.com/business-ideas-for-i-cosplayer.

[8A, 8B, and 8C]  Investigation Discovery, Lethally Blonde, “Snow the Salt Queen Had 1.6 Million Followers”, https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=lethally+blonde+oliver+snow&pc=GD06&ptag=29417&source=chrome.ob&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dlethally%2bblonde%2boliver%2bsnow%26pc%3dGD06%26form%3dGDNSBR%26ptag%3d29417%26source%3dchrome.ob&mmscn=vwrc&mid=A0BC3CA5D8490B6FE7F8A0BC3CA5D8490B6FE7F8&FORM=WRVORC&ntb=1&msockid=e2c3f3f76ca511f1af4b4875ee42ec0f

[9A, 9B, and 9C]  Cosplay Real, “Why Villains Are Becoming More Popular Than Heroes in 2026”, 6/13/26, https://www.cosplayreal.com/blogs/anime-exhibition/why-villains-are-becoming-more-popular-than-heroes-in-cosplay-2026.

[10]  Victims and Villains, “Cosplay:  Heroes vs. Villains” by Dani Arii, 2/12/22,  https://www.victimsandvillains.net/reviews/cosplay-heroes-and-villains.

[11A, 11B, and 11C]  Inthastyle, “Is Cosplay Good for Mental Health?”, 4/24/25, https://www.inthaverse.com/articles/cosplay-mental-health-benefits-fantasy-costume/.

[12A and 12B]  Cityscape Counseling, “How Cosplay Is Used to Improve Mental Health”, https://www.cityscapecounseling.com/post/how-cosplay-is-used-therapeutically-to-improve-mental-health-2/.

[13]  Rolling Stone, “They Were Close Friends and Cosplay Stars Then Snow Killed Helen” by EJ Dickson, 10/21/21, https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/cosplay-tiktok-manslaughter-yandere-snow-helen-hastings-1234452/.

[14]  Y!Entertainment, “A TikTok influencer charged in the fatal shooting of their friend deleted their accounts a year after the incident” by Kieran Press-Reynolds, 11/2/21, https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tiktok-cosplay-influencer-charged-fatal-143935792.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMKX_RBPPz08VUP8RVueu-vujUMljCsjhDgcMWmRhDb6gCRmhegFTmZrkLeCPZDtJ3ngyJ4GBEl3pfU8vZp1H64bgGMwTpla7toApxleTC1GNkSBpIW7-WStuo8Wz2eR7GgL-XoGGddao62kPHARW6tWWWr4Jdrt4P_KurUU2h_7.

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August 16, 2026 · 1:00 am

Fidelity

Wedding photo of Charles and Kathleen Whitman (1962), Source eBay, Author unknown (Public Domain).

The Bible describes marital fidelity as a sacred commitment involving love, respect, and faithfulness between spouses [1].

A Divine Covenant

The Bible views marriage as a divinely instituted covenant where a husband and wife become “one flesh” (Gen. 2: 24) [2].  Fidelity is central to this covenant, so sexual immorality or adultery is explicitly condemned (Heb. 13: 4).  The Seventh Commandment, of course, forbids adultery (Ex. 20: 14).

A Loving Bond

However, marital fidelity extends beyond avoiding adultery.  It encompasses honesty, loyalty, and a deep respect.  The Bible instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loves His church (Eph. 5:25), and wives to respect their husbands (Eph. 5: 33).  Such love is not just a feeling, but an unwavering bond [3].

Sexual Fulfillment

Surprisingly, the Bible specifically addresses sexual fidelity within marriage, emphasizing that spouses should fulfill each other’s conjugal rights to prevent temptation and maintain intimacy (1 Cor. 7: 3-5).  Lustful intent constitutes adultery in the heart (Matt. 5: 28).

Sexual Revolution

We may today think this old fashioned. 

After all, the sexual revolution of the 1960s changed attitudes and behavior related to sexuality throughout the Western World [4].  Nearly 2 in 5 children in the United States – some 1 million children – are now born out of wedlock each year [5A][6].  More than 2 in 3 Black children are born outside marriage [7]. This is part of a global trend, with out of wedlock births exceeding 50% in many countries [5B].

Poverty and Out of Wedlock Births

Unfortunately, research consistently shows that children born out of wedlock face poverty risks approximately 5 times higher than those born to married parents [8].  This is because single parents often have lower household incomes, fewer resources, and less access to economic stability. 

Studies find that never-married mothers work less outside the home, earn less when they do work outside the home, and experience slower income growth compared to married or divorced mothers [9].  This limits their ability to lift their children out of poverty.  

Growing up in poverty can have a profound and lasting impact on children’s self-esteem [10].  Children living in poverty often face stressors like chronic food insecurity, unstable housing, and limited access to healthcare, all of which can ultimately lead to anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues [11]. 

Modeling

Moreover, children raised in single parent households do not see fidelity modeled.   They do not see women treated with respect, hence the term “baby mamas” for unmarried mothers who no longer have even the status of girlfriends.  It is not a great leap to domestic violence.

Abuse Risk

Studies show that children in single-parent households are at greater risk of abuse and neglect as compared to those living with married biological parents, and at greater risk of witnessing domestic violence [12][13].

History

There may be still another lesson to be drawn here. 

The ethnologist and social anthropologist JD Unwin found a correlation between marital fidelity and cultural achievement across the 80 tribes and 6 major civilizations he studied, covering a period of 5000 years [14]. The people groups who became increasingly liberal toward sexual morality eventually vanished.

Having embraced so called “sexual freedom” in the name of progress, we may well have doomed ourselves to the ash heap of history, regardless of our technological achievements.

—

[1]  OpenBible, “Marital Fidelity”, https://www.openbible.info/topics/marital_fidelity.

[2]  BibleHub, “The Seriousness of Marital Fidelity”, https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_marital_fidelity.htm.

[3]  BibleRepository, “35 Important Bible Verses about Fidelity to Relationships (Explained)” by “Pastor David”, 5/12/26, https://biblerepository.com/bible-verses-about-fidelity-to-relationships/.

[4]  Wikpedia, “Sexual revolution”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_revolution#:~:text=The%20sexual%20revolution%2C%20also%20known%20as%20the%20sexual,late%201950s%20to%20the%20early%201970s.%20%5B1%5D%20.

[5A and 5B]  World Population Review, “Out of Wedlock Births by Country 2026”, https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/out-of-wedlock-births-by-country.

[6]  Institute for Family Studies, “America’s Unmarried Birth Rate Puts 1 Million Kids at Risk A Year” by Nicholas Zill, 6/3/26, https://ifstudies.org/blog/americas-unmarried-birth-rate-puts-1-million-kids-at-risk-a-year.

[7]  World Data, “Unmarried Birthrate by Race in US:  Statistics and Facts”, 10/29/25, https://theworlddata.com/unmarried-birth-rate-by-race/.

[8]  American Enterprise Institute (AEI), “Dynamics of Families after a Non-Marital Birth” by Angela Rachidi, 1/8/24, https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/dynamics-of-families-after-a-nonmarital-birth/.

[9]  Institute for Family Studies, “The Poverty of Single Mothers Is Persistent” by Nicholas Wolfinger and Matthew McKeever, 5/6/25, https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-poverty-of-single-mothers-is-persistent.

[10]  Academia, “Recognition, Poverty and Self-Respect” by Jonathan Seglow, 7/21/20, https://www.academia.edu/67998406/Recognition_Poverty_and_Self_Respect.

[11]  PS 169 Baychester Academy, “How poverty influences social-emotional learning” by “Rick”, 8/26/24, https://baychesteracademy.org/how-poverty-influences-social-emotional-learning/.

[12] Hope 4 Hurting Kids, “Risks of Child Abuse and Neglect Based on Family Structure” (adapted from an article originally published on Divorce Ministry 4 Kids 9/28/11), https://hope4hurtingkids.com/trauma-tragedy/abuse/risks-of-child-abuse-and-neglect-based-on-family-structure/.

[13] Institute for Family Studies, “Kids of Single Parents More Likely to Witness Domestic Violence” by Nicholas Zill, 1/6/15, https://ifstudies.org/blog/children-in-single-parent-families-are-more-likely-to-witness-domestic-violence/.

[14]  Wikipedia, “JD Unwin”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Unwin.

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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August 9, 2026 · 1:00 am

Valor and PTSD

Tattered American flag at scene of devastation following F-5 tornado in Oklahoma, Image released by US Armed Forces (ID DF-SD-00-03241), Author Sgt Bill Kimble, (Public Domain)

Valor, noun – strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness : personal bravery

Valor may be an old fashioned word these days.  It is something quiet.  Something internal.

Society applauds courage – a much prized quality that involves action in the face of danger, action despite fear.  We picture it on the battlefield, flags waving and bullets flying.  Civic associations award medals for it, as well they should.

But there are all kinds of battlefields.  Many of us carry our battlefields inside.  They are no less perilous, no less grimy, no less bloody for that.   Only the blood, the sweat, and the tears are our own.

We carry scars from the battles fought and lost, many when we were grossly outmatched as children.  All our failures remain present with us; they haunt us like ghosts.  Our victories vanish like soap bubbles.  Yet we continue to look death in the face almost daily, and persevere to survive another day [1][2][3].

This is life with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  The wounds inflicted on us – whether from childhood abuse and neglect, or domestic violence – were undeserved.  The guilt for them is not ours, but we carry the shame regardless.

The demons we wrestle – anxiety, depression, self-doubt, self-loathing – rarely sleep.

At times, we seek to numb the pain.  The anesthetics we use for this vary – drugs, alcohol, razor blades, food, sex, work.  But they provide little relief.  We simply harm ourselves further.

What we fail to recognize is the sheer valor required to endure in the face of such an unrelenting onslaught.  There is no better word for the strength of mind and spirit required to remain steadfast and carry on.

Medals or no, we deserve to hold our heads up.

—

[1] Psychiatry Advisor, “Trauma and Suicide”, https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/factsheets/trauma-and-suicide/.

[2] PTSD UK, “Suicide amongst people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”, https://www.ptsduk.org/suicide-amongst-people-with-ptsd/.

[3] US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD, “The Relationship Between PTSD and Suicide”, https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/suicide_ptsd.asp.

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta (the parent of Instagram and Facebook) to pay $567 million for harming children. The social media giant must eliminate push notifications at night and during school hours, reduce time limits on its apps to no more than 90 hours/month, and put AI chatbox safeguards in place for users under 18 y.o.

For more information, see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-07/meta-ordered-to-pay-us567-million-in-new-mexico-/107008246.

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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August 2, 2026 · 1:00 am

Toxic Inheritance

‘

Photo by Luis Miguel Bugallo Sanchez (PD)

The opioid crisis has had a serious and lasting impact on our children.  That includes emotional trauma, disruption of family structure, and increased risk of substance abuse [1A][2A].  It is a toxic inheritance.

Emotional Trauma

Children often suffer grave neglect as the result of parental addiction.  Emotionally, they experience overwhelming anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy.  Their lives are filled with uncertainty and fear.  This has ongoing ramifications for them [3A].

Family Disruption

“The opioid crisis significantly contributes to family instability.  As parents grapple with addiction, many lose custody of their children or become incapable of providing stable homes [1B].”

Between 2011 and 2021, some 321,566 children lost a parent to a drug overdose [2B].

Children will often wind up living with relatives or going into foster care as the result of ongoing parental addiction [4].  Addiction is particularly devastating in single parent households which are already vulnerable.

The economic burden of addiction destroys family finances.  Even if willing to assume custody, grandparents may have limited resources. and insufficient energy to raise young children.

Meanwhile, the foster care system is overburdened.  Caseworkers are overloaded, so screening and monitoring are inadequate, sometimes with tragic results.

Addiction Risk

Children of addicts are at higher risk of substance abuse, themselves, perpetuating the cycle of addiction [1C][3B].

Better Lives

Sadly, the opioid crisis is far from over [5].  Our children need more than this.

Policies aimed at strengthening families and providing resources for recovery are essential to breaking the cycle of addiction [1D][3C].

Programs which take a holistic approach, providing substance abuse treatment along with mental health support, can aid families in dealing with this challenging problem and enable children to have better lives [1E].

—

[1A through 1E]  Mothers Against Addiction, “Opioid Crisis Devastates Families While Hope Emerges”, 2/12/25, https://www.mothersagainstaddiction.org/opioid-crisis/.

[2A and 2B]  Sojourner House, “The Hidden Impact of the Opioid Crisis:  Children Left Behind”, https://www.sojournerhousepa.org/the-hidden-impact-of-the-opioid-crisis-children-left-behind/.

[3A, 3B, and 3C]  National Child Trauma Stress Network (NCTSN), “Child Trauma and Opioid Use:  Policy Implications”, https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/child_trauma_and_opioid_use_policy_implications.pdf.

[4]  Annals of American Academy of Political and Social Science, “The Opioid Epidemic and Children’s Living Arrangements in the United States 2000-2018” by Monica Caudillo et al,  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00027162221142648.

[5]  Health Affairs, “Insights about the Opioid Crisis” by D. Metz et al, September 2025, https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01002.

A study of 600 teens found that those who perceived their parents distracted by cell phone use experienced reduced emotional connection, higher anxiety, and a more insecure attachment style.

For more information, see https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2026/06/18/teenagers-whose-parents-are-more-distracted-by-phones-are-more-insecure-frontiers-psychology.

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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July 26, 2026 · 1:00 am

Pornography, Part 3 – Pornography Addiction and Sexual Addiction

Jesus Preachers March 1/21/17, Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/perspective/32511928535/, Author Elvert Barnes (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)

What the true crime series Lethally Blonde does not directly address is pornography addiction or sexual addiction, both of which feed the pornography industry [1].

Pornography Profits

There is a common misconception that if one does not pay for pornography, one is not responsible for the exploitation it supports and the harm it causes.  But — as discussed in Part 1 of this series — there is really no such thing as “ethical porn”, despite assertions by the pornography industry to the contrary.

Ad revenue is a major driver of profit for the pornography industry.  The more views pornographic websites get, the more money pornographers can charge for ads, and the more money they make.

The lack of age and consent verification on pornography websites has proven to be highly profitable for the industry.

Violence and Child Sexual Abuse

Pornography offers countless instances of filmed violence against women and child sexual abuse.  These include graphic images of rape, incest, and bestiality.  Some people will spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars for an adult video tailored to their individual tastes, however perverse.

Pornography Addiction vs. Sexual Addiction

Pornography addiction and sexual addiction are two distinct things [2A].  Porn addiction involves the compulsive use of pornography, usually online.  The behavior tends to be private and repetitive.  Sex addiction, on the other hand, involves repeated real life sexual encounters with others.

A. Symptoms

The symptoms of pornography addiction are, as follows [2B].

  • Compulsive and/or excessive porn use with increasing amounts of time expended;
  • Development of “cravings”, i.e. the strong urge to watch porn;
  • Difficulty in stopping or cutting back on porn;
  • Use of porn to cope with stress, boredom, and/or other emotions;
  • Secrecy around device use;
  • Loss of interest in real-life intimacy; and
  • Guilt or shame after use.

Significantly, pornography can sometimes be a coping mechanism for child sexual abuse survivors [3A]. It is, however, maladaptive.

By comparison, the symptoms of sexual addiction are, as follow [2C]:

  • Compulsive sexual behavior involving others, i.e. repeated affairs, “hook-ups”, or risky sexual encounters;
  • Preoccupation with sex and sexual opportunities;
  • Difficulty controlling sexual urges;
  • Escalation to riskier behaviors over time;
  • Lying to partners or loved ones;
  • Relationship conflict related to trust issues; and
  • Emotional distress or shame after sexual encounters.

B. Impact

Overloading the brain’s pleasure circuits can lead to structural, functional, and molecular changes in the prefrontal cortex (the seat of emotional regulation, self-control, decision making, planning, and ultimately morality) [5][6][7].

Porn addiction results in decreased sexual satisfaction, and increased emotional numbness [2D]. Porn addiction has been linked to higher rates of suicidal thoughts [8].  Yet, fewer than 1/3 of young people believe that pornography is bad for society [3B]. 

Sexual addiction results in severe relationship damage, and workplace or legal consequence [2E].

C. Remedy

The answer to porn addiction lies in identifying triggers and changing the habits related to porn use; reduced access to porn; and development of alternative coping skills [2F].  Therapy focused on impulse control can be helpful. 

Sex addiction, on the other hand, requires intensive therapy; an accountability structure; and relationship counseling [2G].

Reclaim Sexual Health https://www.reclaimsexualhealth.com/ is an anonymous online recovery program offering science-based Christian resources for those seeking to overcome pornography and/or sexual addiction [4]. Navigate Betrayal https://www.reclaimsexualhealth.com/ is the related program for the partners and spouses of pornography and/or sex addicts.

Biblical View

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification:  that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 Thess. 4: 3-5).

Scripture emphasizes that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6: 19-20).  Purity plays a key role in a life that is pleasing to God.  The lusts of the flesh are not of God (1 John 2: 15-17).  We are, therefore, to flee from temptation (1 Cor. 10: 13). 

This is not, however, a simple matter of will power.  Rather, we are to renew our minds by immersing ourselves in the word of God (Rom. 12: 1).  He changes us from the inside out.

—

[1]  National Center on Sexual Exploitation, “Inside the Pornography Industry’s Profit Model:  Ads, Addiction, and Abuse” by Stephen Trendell, 8/20/25, https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/inside-the-pornography-industrys-profit-model-ads-addiction-and-abuse/.

[2A through 2G]  Porn Addiction, “What’s the Difference Between Porn Addiction and Sex Addiction?”, 1/28/26, https://www.pornaddiction.org/porn-addiction-vs-sex-addiction/.

[3A and 3B]  Mission Network News, “Addiction, the ‘p-word’, and childhood abuse” by Katey Hearth, 5/2/24, https://www.mnnonline.org/news/addiction-the-p-word-and-childhood-abuse/.

[4] EWTN On Demand, “Bruce and Jeannie Hannemann: Hope in Living with an Addiction”, https://ondemand.ewtn.com/Home/Play/en/PWS17009.

[5] Mental Health, “The Brains of Porn Addicts” by Lesley Wirth (medically reviewed by Jesse Hanson PhD), 6/4/26, https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/the-brains-of-porn-addicts.

[6] Frontiers, “Disrupted synapses: prefrontal cortex-reward circuit dysfunction in stress-induced depression-like behaviors” by Ashraf Mahmud and Mehmet Karaman, 5/19/26, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2026.1843871/full.

[7] Wikipedia, “Neuromorality”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuromorality.

[8] Your Brain on Porn, “Problematic pornography use and suicidal thoughts:  Results from cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses” by JS McGraw et al, 2024, https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/problematic-pornography-use-and-suicidal-thoughts-results-from-cross-sectional-and-longitudinal-analyses/.

Parts 1 and 2 in this series were posted 7/12 and 7/19/26, respectively

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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July 19, 2026 · 1:00 am

Pornography, Part 2 – Adult Film Stars

Adult Film Star Jaimee Foxworth, Source PacificProDigital, Author Glenn Francis, (CC BY-Sa 2.5 Generic, and 1.0 Generic)

What the true crime series Lethally Blonde so clearly illustrates is that the pornography industry destroys lives.  Promising fame and fortune, always on the lookout for fresh bodies to be exploited, the pornography industry eats people up then spits them out. 

The industry markets itself as a liberating way to express sexuality, the source of a glamorous lifestyle, a means of gaining attention, and a path to easy riches. In reality, the emotional toll of sex work — on screen or off — is devastating. Drug abuse and suicide are common.

Aubrey Gold

Lauren Kay Wambles a/k/a Aubrey Gold is an example of this [1][2][3].  The daughter of an exotic dancer, Gold was born in a small Bible Belt town in Alabama, but left home at age 18 to pursue a career in the adult film industry. 

After 2 years and over 30 films, she had earned a mere $50,000.  In 2020, she pleaded no contest to a charge of accessory after the fact to second degree murder, and was sentenced to 10 years.

Timothy Boham

Timothy Boham is another example [4].  Raised in an alcoholic household and bullied as a child, Boham initially found employment as a catalog model.  He then took up exotic dancing, in the hope this would lead to a film career. 

Boham, who viewed himself as heterosexual, moved from that into what is termed “gay for pay” — first providing homosexual sex to men who supported him financially, then homosexual sex on screen. He kept information about all this from his family of origin in Colorado.

When Boham attempted to seek employment outside the porn industry and start a family of his own, he was extorted by someone who knew about his double life.  That led to the murder for which Boham is serving a life sentence in a women’s prison, since he now considers himself a woman.

Jaimee Foxworth

Before her entry into adult films, Jaimee Foxworth was best known for her role as Judy Winslow on the ABC sitcom Family Matters [5].  Making pornographic films under the pseudonym “Crave”, Foxworth has battled substance abuse and depression.

Dan Benson

Chasing fame but unable to find work as an actor once he reached adulthood, former child star Dan Benson who played Zeke Beakerman on the Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly became an adult film star [6].  Like Courtney Clenney, Benson has an OnlyFans account with explicit sexual content.

Maitland Ward

Benson is not the only Disney star to have followed this course.  Maitland Ward, who played Rachel McGuire in the series Boy Meets World, claims to have gained respect, in the process of pursuing an adult film career [7]. 

If so, she is one of very few who can say that.  Many more fall prey to drugs, in an effort to cope with the emotions their work engenders [8A].  One psychoanalyst told the British media outlet UNILAD that almost 90% of women want to leave sex work, with up to 70% suffering from PTSD [8B].

—

[1]  The City Celeb, “Aubrey Gold Biography:  Controversy, Net Worth, Age, Movies, Wikipedia, Height, Boyfriend, Arrest, Instagram” by Haruna Ayuba, 5/28/26,   https://www.thecityceleb.com/biography/celebrity/actress/aubrey-gold-biography-controversy-net-worth-age-movies-wikipedia-height-boyfriend-arrest-instagram/.

[2]  Law & Crime, “Ex-Porn Star Gets 10 Years in Prison for Her Role in Murder of Alabama Man Shot in Head and Buried in ‘Shallow Grave’” by Jerry Lambe, 10/19/21, https://lawandcrime.com/crime/ex-porn-star-gets-10-years-in-prison-for-her-role-in-murder-of-alabama-man-shot-in-head-and-buried-in-shallow-grave/.

[3]  Podtail, Crime, Killers, Cults, and Beer, “114 Aubrey Gold:  Porn Star Involved with Murder + Discussion on the Porn Industry”, 6/13/24, https://podtail.com/podcast/crimes-killers-cults-and-beer-a-true-crime-podcast/114-aubrey-gold-porn-star-involved-with-murder-dis/.

[4]  Wikipedia, “Timothy J. Boham”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_J._Boham.

[5]  Wikipedia, “Jaimee Foxworth”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaimee_Foxworth.

[6]  Entertainment News, “How Former Disney Star Fell into Porn”, https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/how-former-disney-child-star-fell-into-porn/news-story/3b360f8fec4c5ee0f9e4b6ae86391536.

[7]  Style, “Former Disney star turned porn star says she’s more respected now”, 3/17/25, https://style.news.am/eng/news/106810/former-disney-star-turned-porn-star-says-shes-more-respected-now.html

[8A and 8B]  The Mirror, “Dark side of adult industry – ‘emotionally broken’ performer to ‘paralyzed’ star” by Liam Mcinerney, 2/15/25, https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/dark-side-adult-industry-emotionally-945510.

This series concludes next week with Part 3 – Pornography Addiction and Sexual Addiction

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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July 12, 2026 · 1:09 am

Pornography, Part 1 – Influencers and Content Creators

Lethally Blonde is a true crime series produced by Investigation Discovery (ID) and hosted by executive‑producer and former Playboy model Holly Madison [1].  Real life murder cases related, in one way or another, to the pornography industry are examined. 

These are sad, often tawdry, stories of lives that have taken a downward spiral into darkness.

Pornography and Sex Trafficking

Pornography and sex trafficking are closely intertwined. The average age of entry into pornography or prostitution is between 12 and 14 years [11].

Individuals may be recorded without their consent, frequently during instances of sexual violence [12].  They may be manipulated or coerced into performing sexual acts against their will. They may be misled about the nature of a scene or threatened with blacklisting in the film industry, if they do not comply.

Sexual Exploitation and Lies

While Lethally Blonde does not moralize – far from that – it documents in graphic detail the devastating consequences of sexual exploitation as a form of entertainment.

Intentionally or not, four lies are repeatedly exposed by the series: 

  • that sex is a mere commodity, unrelated to emotion;
  • that the sale of sex is a legitimate and painless way of accumulating wealth and fame;
  • that wealth and fame are synonymous with happiness; and
  • that on screen and online performances reflect reality.

Some of us may consider these lies so obvious they do not need discussion.  However, our young people are being fed them daily.  A few statistics should drive this point home. 

Pornography in the United States

In the 21st Century, pornography has been mainstreamed with pornographers now innocuously called “content creators” [3]. 

Several studies have confirmed that the United States is the largest producer of pornography in the world [2A].  Sources quoted by Forbes put the revenue generated from video networks and pay-per-view movies on cable and satellite, websites, in-room hotel movies, phone sex, sex toys, and magazines at between $2.6 and $3.9 billion [2B]. 

A 2023 survey by Common Sense Media of 1,300 teens ages 13 y.o. to 17 y.o. found that 73% watched online pornography [4]. This is far from harmless. 

Parallels may well exist between underage pornography exposure and child sexual abuse (either reinforcing the later consumption of pornography as an adult, manifesting as sexual coercion in the attempt to reconcile conflicting emotions from such exposure, or manifesting as disassociation in the form of abject surrender to any sexual advance) [8]. 

Sex Influencers

Social media has become an integral part of identity formation among teens [5A].  Online “influencers” shape what teens think about how they should look, and what they should achieve – whether insofar as fashion, beauty, fitness, or lifestyle [5B]. 

Influencers can be especially powerful because they offer teens a carefully selected version of reality that feels genuine though staged for consumption, real-time feedback, and a sense of belonging [6].

So called “sex positivity” is one trend among influencers [9]. It emphasizes sex as simply a natural, healthy aspect of life without shame or stigma, and encourages teens to explore diverse sexual orientations and gender identities [10]. One has to wonder who is funding this agenda.

Sex and Murder

Courtney Clenney was one such influencer, an attractive teen who recognized that she could make money online by marketing her looks. 

Gradually, she progressed to nudity, and finally online sex on a subscription site called OnlyFans.  This produced tremendous income for her, and an upscale if degenerate lifestyle. 

Clenney is today charged with second degree murder in the stabbing death of her boyfriend Christian Obumseli [7].  She claims self-defense, alleging domestic violence although evidence strongly suggests that she was the aggressor.

—

[1]  Show Biz Junkies, “’Lethally Blonde’ True Crime Series Preview and Episode Guide” by Rebecca Murray, 3/12/24, https://www.showbizjunkies.com/tv/lethally-blonde-true-crime-series-preview/.

[2A and 2B]  Wikipedia, “Pornography in the United States”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography_in_the_United_States.

[3]  Art and Popular Culture, “Pornography in the United States”, https://www.artandpopularculture.com/American_pornography.

[4]  Psychology Today, “New Report Finds Most Teens Watch Online Pornography”  by Thomas Lickona PhD, 6/1/23, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/raising-kind-kids/202305/new-report-finds-most-teens-watch-online-pornography.

[5A and 5B]  Psychology Today, “Likes and Lies:  The Effects of Influencers on Teens” by Robin Sterns, 3/9/25, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/power-in-relationships/202503/likes-and-lies-the-effects-of-influencers-on-teens.

[6]  Psychology Today, “Behind the Influence of Influencers” by Robin Stern PhD, 5/19/24, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/power-in-relationships/202405/behind-the-influence-of-influencers.

[7]  MSN, “OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney denied bond; judge sets trial date for April”,  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/onlyfans-model-courtney-clenney-denied-bond-judge-sets-trial-date-for-april/ar-AA1SBRKa?ocid=BingNewsSerp.

[8] Frontiers, “Impact of pornography consumption on children and adolescents:  a trauma-informed approach”, 9/28/25, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/child-and-adolescent-psychiatry/articles/10.3389/frcha.2025.1567649/full.

[9] Psych Central, “All About Sex Positivity” by Jennifer Litner PhD, 7/30/21, https://psychcentral.com/health/sex-positivity-meaning.

[10] Belessa, “7 sex influencers you need to be following” by Gabrielle Noel, https://www.bellesa.co/en/collective/232/7-sex-positive-influencers-you-need-to-be-following.

[11] Fight the New Drug, “By the Numbers: Is the Porn Industry Connected to Sex Trafficking?”, https://fightthenewdrug.org/by-the-numbers-porn-sex-trafficking-connected/.

[12] End Slavery Now, “The Relationship Between Porn and Human Trafficking”, 1/31/22, https://www.endslaverynow.org/blog/articles/the-relationship-between-porn-and-human-trafficking.

This series will continue next week with Part 2 – Adult Film Stars

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

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