“Perhaps no more monstrous children, outside horror films, were ever seen in Hollywood than those who interfere grotesquely with their parents’ lives in “All That Heaven Allows” and “There’s Always Tomorrow.” Sirk’s lesson has a long throw—politics motivated by a demagogic plea “for the children” is a code for reactionary moralism.” – Richard Brody

Much of American history has been dominated by the overt. reactionary moralism of the middle class. Book banning, anti-pornography, abortion restrictions, etc. – all sold as necessary draconian measures to protect the virtue of children. But the only virtue of childhood is getting to be young. The rest is whistling past the graveyard.