You're right. There are plenty of examples pf it being no problem in Europe.
Honestly, it doesn't sit well with me that a minor's parents can be so okay with what may end up being exploitation, but less than 12 months later and Thora being 18, would it make people be so up-in-arms over that scene? Why does 17 to 18 make or break this for people? Filmed in other countries, age 17 wouldn't even be an issue.
Personally, I wouldn't be on board with my child doing it at age 17, but that has more to do with not wanting my children (when I have any) to be a part of Hollywood as minors. But for those already in it, age 17 versus 18 isn't automatically some enormous difference. To make it one on the spot is such an American thing that is often just arbitrary.

I hear, and don't quote me on this, that in Europe and other countries most people would say, "so what's the big deal?" I think they have a point.
And yeah, it's easy to understand why her former porn star parents didn't have a problem with their fully developed daughter being filmed topless in a NON-sexual scene. Heh.
You want something corny? You got it!

would you just get over your nudity phobia the human body is naturally beautiful pure and righteous and perfect the only wrong thing is people like you making nudity wrong and immoral.
lukejbarnett

because one version(film/art) is describing a time in a young person's life, the other is purely sexual gratification by sick individuals
I agree that it's "art", but also remember that the aforementioned sick individuals will get their disgusting jollies anywhere they can find them. Way back when, pedos use to become aroused looking at the baby Coppertone ad (true story).
ugh this world is getting worse by the second
On that, we are in complete agreement.
Ladies and gentlemenMr.Conway Twitty

because one version(film/art) is describing a time in a young person's life, the other is purely sexual gratification by sick individuals that quit on their own morality and conscience. or a teenager in today's f#cked up world getting snapchats of his fellow school students ugh this world is getting worse by the second.

Uh, it's not about being a prude. It's about the idea that it was ok for her to be naked in a "non-sexual" scene in a Hollywood film, but if someone has "non-sexual" nude pictures of under-aged girls on their phone or computer it's a crime.
Ladies and gentlemenMr.Conway Twitty

Keira Knightly was 15 or 16 in The Hole (which also starred Thora, lol!)
Tamsin Egerton was 16 in keeping mum.
Brooke Shields was about 12 in Pretty Baby.
As long as it's a non sexual scene it's perfectly legal. People need to stop being such prudes.

They didn't "whore her out" American Beauty was a great film that did wonders for her career (at the time).

That is some really sick parents if they would literally whore their child out like that for money and fame
Well, her parents are former porn actors, here's her mother's wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Connors_(actress)
YOU SHOULDN'T BE EATING SAUSAGES!!

That is some really sick parents if they would literally whore their child out like that for money and fame
In a way, kinda glad it didn't ultimately work for them (or her) .. yeesh!
Honestly, though.. it's sick to me to think that you can just pop that movie on any time and be watching legal minor porn!
Yet if the gubment found a shot I had taken of a willing 16-year old neighbor standing topless in her bedroom window, I'd be in jail and a registered sex-offender!
(Note to the FBI snooping my online activity, the above obvious sarcasm is obvious sarcasm) DING!

You talking about American Beauty? Saw this on IMDB Trivia: Since Thora Birch was barely 17 at the time she made the film, and thus classified as a minor in the United States, her parents had to a79cpprove her brief topless scene in the movie and they and child labor representatives were on the set for the shooting of it.

At last! I was hoping someone would finally address this.