Andee:
That's an appalling experience, and I'm sorry you had to endure it!
I guess what it comes down to is the usual: we just can't make general sweeping rules when it comes to people. Everyone's different, and in a situation such as the one this thread is about, an individual decision must be made in each case.
In re-reading my previous comments it seemed as though I was advocating that all students should be forced to view these videos.
That's not what I meant, and I'm sorry for my poor communication of it.
If a young person will be traumatized by this, then by all means let them skip the videos and learn using another method. But sometimes being shocked and disturbed by something is not bad, and can lead to good results such as a greater appreciation of the subject or a motivation to help solve the problem. Some students may therefore benefit from videos such as this. Individual decisions, then, for individual students.
Like Wendy, I've found it interesting and useful to see others' viewpoints, and to exchange differing ideas in a polite manner.
Expatbrit
p.s. this post has nothing to do with the fact that Dana said she'd beat the crap out of me earlier in chat.