It's the start of a new semester, and once again it's time to fret about the depravity of today's youth. Back in 2003, the shocking news was of a traveling photo exhibition whose models were all college students. Last year, people fretted about the morality of college women having nude photoshoots done.

Now this year, we find the letters sections of newspapers full of people discussing...the morality of college women having nude photoshoots done. Was last year's flap unresolved? Are colleges still shirking their responsibilities in loco parentis? Or should we simply be thankful that it's nothing worse this year, like the news that 20-30% of college women moonlight as working girls? (oh, wait, that idea was floated back in 2003 as well.)

A selection of letters printed in Beijing's Legal Mirror provides a nice cross-section of opinions - readers range from thinking that nude photography is unethical and unhealthy to simply worring that the young women will be taken advantage of (curiously, there has been no discussion of men doing these photo shoots...).

Gao Fusheng: Currently, the country's laws and regulations have a "blind spot" in regard to oversight of this new practice of "fully nude photography," and there is no clear line marking the "degree of exposure." That line is in the hands of the photographer doing the shoot. While there exists an unwritten rule in the profession that a male photographer must always have a female assistant present; i.e. the photographer must not come into contact with the nude subject at any time, so the female assistant must carry out the photographer's wishes; and the negatives are handed over to the subject at the same time as the photos. But are these "professional rules" effective?

If unlawful businessmen seize the opportunity to profit by copying and distributing large numbers of photograps, then what can be done? If these photos of "indecent exposure" are put to use by an unscrupulous minority, then the losers are those young college women themselves. Even if they try to protect their rights through legal means after the fact, getting proof is no easy matter!

Xu Linlin: I cannot readily agree with many of the misgivings people have. First, recognizing the beauty of a youthful body is an expression of self-confidence in one's life. The self-discovery of these young women is good, not harmful. Second, voluntarily having nude pictures taken has no connection with morality or the law. Third, as adult women, these college students surely know that nude photography is a closely private matter, and they know how to protect themselves against the unexpected.

But in my view, having nude photos taken is far from being a "symbol of fashion." College administrations and the parents of these women should stay on their toes, to prevent these young women from being unwittingly led astray and bringing trouble onto themselves.

Yin Jianguang: Having nude photos taken is without a doubt a precursor to having one's rights infringed. And if the photos are let out, there is no way to repair the harm done to you even if you pursue legal compensation. Besides, this is an unhealthy outlook on consumer fashion. Every penny that students spend was earned through their parents hard labor, so they shouldn't waste it in this manner.

This kind of "popularity" reflects the fact that educational activities are not making a deep impression in the minds of students. Behind this fashion is an expression of a sense of spiritual beauty that is left unsatisfied.