In the last year or so, I have become increasingly interested by the 'study' of pornography and the effect is has on those who use it. I think it began when I joined a facebook group called "Stop adult magazines being sold at convenience stores". This lead to me doing my own research on the subject and becoming incredibly disheartened with what I learned.
I heard about a documentary about porn, entitled The Price of Pleasure. I was interested to see it but I learned it included clips of hardcore pornography (surprisingly enough!) so I decided I didn't want to watch it. Instead I was pointed towards a book by Gail Dines, called Pornland: How porn has hijacked our sexuality. Gail Dines has studied pornography for several decades, and also founded www.pornharms.com.
So, for starters, it took me awhile to track down the book, and I every time I was in a bookstore and asked if they had it, I got strange looks. ("We're not that kind of bookstore!"Haha.) I found it online and started reading it. It was absolutely fascinating to me, but at time very confronting and uncomfortable.
Gail Dines recounts the history of pornography in our culture, starting with pornographic magazines like Playboy, Penthouse and Hustler, and shows how they have lead into the mainstreaming of porn today. She provides information about the billion dollar porn industry, and the economics behind it. She also dedicates certain chapters to racism in pornography, and to child pornography.
The majority of the book is about 'gonzo' porn. Gonzo porn is a particular genre of porn that is based on violent, humiliating, body punishing acts done by men to women. The very intention is to cause the woman as much pain as possible, to dehumanize and degrade her as much as possible- all while remembering that she loves and enjoys it. Apparently. I won't go into any more detail about this other than to say it could be quite upsetting.
Gonzo porn is becoming very prevalent, and according to Gail Dines, if you googled "porn", you will get a lot of this. Perhaps you see how this could potentially be a problem as even primary school aged boys are exposed to these kind of acts online as their first experience of what sex is, with nothing to compare it to. And statistics say 92% of children 8-16 has come across porn online, accidentally or not.
Another large segment of the book was devoted to how porn has become normalised and a part of our lives without us realizing. Fashions are inspired by porn and pornographic brands are on everything from bed sheets to pencil cases.
Gail Dines has done a fantastic job and this book is very informative as well as logical. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject, and especially anyone who thinks porn is harmless.
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This is really interesting!
ReplyDeleteI read a similar book a while ago, called Female Chauvanist Pigs; The Rise of Raunch Culture. I think I might have mentioned that to you. Essentially it is about pornification as well, especially that of young girls.
I get frustrated that everything involving nudity is taboo and sexual. (Breastfeeding mothers being harrassed on the streets, anyone?) I get weirded out when the cat sees me naked. Even though he is also naked, and desexed. That cant be right..?
I should be honest here and admit that I have a more liberal attitude about sex, in that I dont see it as 100% necessary to be married or even in a commited relationship for it to be done respectfully. (Although waiting for marriage can have a lot of benefits if it is in line with your belief system.) I think if you are true to yourself and what you personally believe in, and both parties are being respected, its all good. But it does scare me that the ONLY impression young boys especially are getting of sex is what they see in magazines/ movies. It's only natural for kids to be curious about sex, but if the only examples available to them involve misoginy and humiliation, of course there will be trouble!
I'm not sure what the solution to that is. Certainly there is none in pretending gonzo porn does no harm.
I have heard of that book, it's by Ariel Levy right? I want to read that one, and also another one called Pornified, by Pamela Paul I think. It seems really hard to locate these kind of books though, unless I buy them online. I never seem to find them in regular bookstores or libraries.
ReplyDeleteHaha at the cat comment...I get what you mean about nudity. I think the context of the nudity is relevant too. For example- the film Schindler's List, there are many naked people shown as Jews in concentration camps are stripped of their clothes, yet my interpretation of this is that it is illustrating how they were humiliated and demeaned. On the other hand, PETA ads with hot naked girls claiming "I'd rather go nude than wear fur" is something I find offensive- the context is sexual, with women being objectified in the name of helping animals.
My friends know that my personal views on sex are quite conservative, however while separating these values as much as I can from the issue, I still believe porn is damaging. Some people believe that porn can spice up your sex life, or aid intimacy in relationships. I believe it does the opposite, rather than bringing couples closer, porn leads to disconnection. Many men use it as a substitute for sex as it can be an escape, and even when having sex with their partners, others are thinking of images from porn.
Anyway, I would really recommend this book. I would lend it to you, but I live a few hours away now!
I agree with you, that whether you are liberal or conservative in your views.. it's not good for ANYONE to be degarded, disrespected and humiliated. Even worse for kids to see that, and think it normal. I think (and this is going to make me sound OLD) that things have changed a lot since I was a teenager. We never had sexting, it was normal to still be a virgin at the end of high school and nobody gave you grief for it, as far as I can recall. I can understand why, as mum to two girls, it might be especially scary to think about what pressures they might be under in ten years time.
ReplyDeleteI know! It really seems like in ten years so much has changed. I am hoping that I can educate my kids and help them to be critical thinkers, because I can't be there to protect them all the time!
ReplyDeleteLoving your blog Caitlin! Keep up the great articles!
ReplyDeleteThanks Collett! I am finding your blog very interesting also.
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