Dear Editor: Why is the National Center on Sexual Exploitation calling for a boycott of the recently released film “Fifty Shades of Grey?”

“The lie is that ‘Fifty Shades’ is about a love affair,” says Dawn Hawkings, the center’s executive director. “The truth is that it’s about coercing a young woman for sadistic sex. It romanticizes domestic abuse.”

Dawkings points out, “Sexual violence is on the rise in colleges, the military, and families.  ‘Fifty Shades’ teaches women to accept that.”

Her center’s website, www.fiftyshadesisabuse.com, lists 50 problems with the film’s message.

Help in talking to young people about the problematic messages of “Fifty Shades of Grey” is also available at www.cortland.edu/character, the website of our character education center at SUNY Cortland. See especially, “A Psychiatrist’s Letter to Young People,” where child and adolescent psychiatrist Miriam Grossman (www.miriamgrossmanmd.com) counsels:

“The toxic message of ‘Fifty Shades’ is seeping into our culture and could plant dangerous ideas in your head. You might think that Christian and Ana are cool, and that their relationship is acceptable. But abuse is never acceptable.”

Some might think ‘Fifty Shades’ is redeemed by having a happy ending.

“In the real world,” Dr. Grossman writes, “this story would end badly, with Christian in jail, and Ana in a shelter – or morgue. Or Christian would continue beating Ana, and she’d stay and suffer.

“As a doctor, I’m urging you: don’t see ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ and explain to your friends why they shouldn’t see it either.”

A statement by Catholic bishops points out that the film also presents an opportunity for us to teach our young not only about the moral reprehensibility of sexual exploitation and domestic violence, but also about the dignity of women – and the beauty of God’s gift of sexual intimacy within the committed love relationship of marriage.

TOM LICKONA AND MARTHE SEALES

State University of New York

Cortland