OPINION & EDITORIAL
Getting off or going down: Is porn destructive?
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Also by Jason Smathers:
- Council signals end of ASM (May 4, 2008)
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- The case: Kiddie porn vs. civil liberties (March 19, 2002)
- Experts' verdict on porn: A hung jury (April 10, 2008)
- People, Not Property (August 30, 2001)
- Exploring the Issues: Sexuality - Your responses (December 7, 2007)
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by Jason Smathers
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Let us rework the cliche: A man's skeletons don't hang in his closet; they lie in the circuits of his hard drive. And considering the statistics, American men have a lot of secrets.
Pornography has been around since human beings developed rudimentary art skills, but today porn is not simply some private enterprise where teenage boys are exposed to nudity and gasp at this new discovery; it's a bombardment of the senses in the most explicit and mind-warping style possible. Wide-eyed innocence doesn't just fade — it's beaten to a bloody pulp.
What's more, it's more widespread than ever before. In 2006, total revenue from the American porn industry totaled $13.6 billion — a mere 15 percent chunk of the $97 billion made worldwide. Family Safe Media claims 80 percent of all teens age 15-17 have viewed hardcore pornography multiple times while 90 percent of kids ages 7-17 have viewed porn at least once.
However, what's most troubling is when this so-called "perverted" form of sexual entertainment actually starts to define sexuality. In his book, "Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity," author Robert Jensen argues pornography shapes today's men in ways that reinforce misogynistic trends and solidify the brutish he-man image of masculinity. Some may say attacks on pornography are simply anti-sex prudes trying to mandate morality, but Mr. Jensen assures us pornography is indeed a corrupting force.
Certainly, porn is corrupting, but not inherently. The depiction of sexual acts doesn't necessarily place women in a position of servitude, and it doesn't necessarily promote an immoral lifestyle. After all, the Kama Sutra is technically pornography, but it does serve — along with some more recent porn — as a marital aid in times of sexual frustration or inadequacy.
However, there is a major problem with pornography today. British singer Jarvis Cocker may have said it best: "I've seen this storyline so many times before/ Oh that goes in there/ Then that goes in there/ Then that goes in there/ Then that goes in there, and then it's over/ Oh, what a hell of a show/ But what I want to know/ What do you do for an encore? 'Cause this is hardcore."
The problem at the root of modern pornography isn't that it encourages these wild fetishes, adultery and misogyny — it's that it strips down sexuality to a physical response with no meaning. If anything, porn does American sexuality a disservice in that it does whatever it has to in order to get that orgasm and move on. That's not just an inaccurate way to present human sexuality, it's potentially dangerous given the effect it can have.
We've come a long way from "Debbie Does Dallas" and "Deep Throat." They had storylines, characters and plots — these were fictional depictions with real, but staged sex. Frankly, there is a reason pornography's faux-funk soundtrack and absurd situations are still used today as overt comedy punch lines — they're not all that serious. Just as few individuals who watch "Rambo" will run into public place with a gattling gun, it's unlikely many porn viewers will try to proposition their veterinarian.
Furthermore, the distribution process was like any other good: If you want your porn, you have to buy a magazine or a video like everyone else. Individuals had to budget time and money for sexual gratification along with consideration of more basic needs.
However, given recent changes in the American porn industry, its effect on viewers — particularly teenagers — is potentially damaging.
Now, I'm no connoisseur of pornography, but there's something to be said for context. Today, porn films are shot faster than ever because they have no plot, no context. What porn producers have seen fit to deliver are young women (and men, in some cases) who are there simply to be penetrated. Moans are needed, but placing sex in any sort of context or hypothetical situation is considered an unnecessary feature that just gets in the way of the inevitable climax. While pornography has always been more about arousal than plotlines, the method of stimulation makes a huge difference. While character development wasn't integral, it at least gave the viewer some reason for imagination and made them think about what is sexually arousing. It's not "Gonzo" pornography (an insult to Hunter S. Thompson, although he probably would have gotten a kick out of it), it's "drone porn" — an equation that provides the necessary bodily response. Watch, stroke, repeat.
If that wasn't bad enough, then came the Internet — a fountain of images, video and audio with no inclination toward self-censorship or self-control — to provide the veritable "soma" Aldous Huxley warned us about. Even in the earliest days, the marketplace for pornography exploded into a wealth of pixilated debauchery for easier consumption and expansion of fantasy.
This bounty of exposed flesh can do long-lasting damage. Corrupting youth is incredibly easy to do, and one could argue that porn has been doing that for ages anyway. In testimony before Congress, Dr. Judith Riesman noted pornographic images "imprint and alter the brain, triggering an instant, involuntary, but lasting, biochemical memory trail. … And once new neurochemical pathways are established, they are difficult or impossible to delete." Certainly, if it has this effect on a normal brain, a younger developing mind is possibly more susceptible to distortion. While porn already gives adolescents a skewed and misogynistic view of sex, the switch to minute-long clip-based stimulus provides teens with a "whatever gets you off" mentality that not only takes the joy out of sex, but could prove very damaging later in life. Especially given the near instantaneous access to an endless variety of explicit sexual activity.
For those whose porn use comes closer to compulsive addiction, the next high is always a bit harder to achieve. Delving into the variety of amateur porn ultimately reveals the absolutely abhorrent realms of child pornography and rape. Certainly, one researcher at the University of Utah was quoted as saying in the Christian Science Monitor, "I don't think I've ever yet seen an adult sex offender who wasn't involved with pornography."
Of course, there is always the possibility that a person will use porn to release sexual tension, spice up a relationship or simply watch it for comedic purposes. However, when children and teens are exposed to its extremes so easily today, the way they interpret it may be dependent on who they talk to.
That's up to you, mom and dad. Obviously, parents don't want their kids viewing these images at such an early age, but unless every attempt to censor the Internet succeeds, their child will eventually stumble upon porn. While it may be painful (and horribly awkward) to discuss, parents need to explain pornography and how it distorts true sexuality. Otherwise, the body will provide the answers.
And that sort of impulsiveness, at least in this case, is a very dangerous thing.
Jason Smathers (jsmathers@badgerherald.com) is a senior majoring in journalism and history.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 8:09am):
Smathers, I finally figured out why you have that smug, spent look while standing in front of the computer monitor.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 10:54am):
Jason, don't be a condescending putz! If you want to let a bunch of man-hating feminists brainwash you into thinking all men are porn-loving freaks-even when there are an equal number of women who are totally into porn-go ahead. But the rest of the male population is either not the mob of manic pleasure-seekers you and your feminists cohorts like to think we are or they dive right into every porn site they can bookmark in their Naughty Links folder of their browser and could care less what you think of them.
Which is worse: surfing for big boobs and bare bottoms in the Net in the privacy of one's own home or hiding in the bushes at 3am waiting for the next hapless victim to walk by? there are worse things a person can do.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 12:13pm):
"in the circuits of his hard drive"
Huh? You might want to avoid technology metaphors in the future, since you don't understand what you're writing about.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 2:14pm):
12:13pm
Right, because isn't the Internet like a series of tubes or something?
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 2:17pm):
Certainly a highly feminine looking undergrad such as yourself has all the answers regarding technology and human sexuality.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 4:44pm):
Pornography is like any other vice - some folks can handle it fine, but some folks get messed up, or worse, end up hurting others because of it.
The article didn't say that everyone who views pornography is a sex offender - but the idea that every sex offender has viewed porn is pretty scary, and the idea that nearly all kids have seen at least some porn terrifies me, as a parent and as a citizen.
The boundary gets crossed when you no longer have control - when you start surfing for porn when you could be with your partner, when you can't stop when you even want to.
If you want to scoff at issues like this, then try not surfing for porn for a week, and see how you feel. Don't use some BS about "I'm fine" - every addict in history has used that line. If you want to claim that porn has no effect on you, then show that you can walk away. If you can... good for you. Now try five friends and see if they can do it... and when one or two of them can't - how do you feel about it then?
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 4:51pm):
Yes, I finally agree with you on one point: porn is bad, but not for the reasons you put out. I don't like when psychologists take out "free will" and say they know a person will act a certain way. It may be statistical sometimes, but not a truth.
...are you wearing pink and talking about masculinity?
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 4:55pm):
Just once, for the sake of the paper, Jason, jack it. Though I guess complete lack of sexual activity is what keeps you the randomly outraged individual your readers know.
Your assignment of responsibility to the parents is the real telling part. I guess somebody got caught and has some shame issues.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 5:08pm):
Hey 2:17! Women know about human sexuality. And he doesn't look feminine.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 5:45pm):
I bet if you lived in the the late 70s you would be saying the EXACT same thing about porn of that era. EX: "It's one thing to have naked ladies inside of a Playboy, but modern porn such as 'Debbie Does Dallas' strips down sexuality to a physical response with no meaning."
I also like how you look to the pornos of the 70s and 80s as being morally superior and less corruptive than those of today because they had more story to them. Newsflash: They are exactly the same except that one has more stuff guys fast forward through.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 6:03pm):
Are we talking about porn or masturbation? I think one is a noun and one is a verb.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 6:26pm):
I'm female and I love porn. I wouldn't go without it (though I can, and have--so no worries, 4:44)
That said, porn can addict and I know people it has addicted.
Porn can also give men unrealistic expectations and ideas about women. Been on the receiving end of that one. It probably also propagates negative ideas about men among women.
While a lot of porn is between consensual adults, porn also has the horrific underbelly of child porn and rape, as mentioned above.
Porn can be great, but be honest about its' problems too, people.
Michael Johnson (December 5, 2007 @ 6:32pm):
4:51...that last comment about pink and being a man is just another sexist and patriarchal idea. Get with the times. Anyone can wear pink.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 7:42pm):
'Certainly, one researcher at the University of Utah was quoted as saying in the Christian Science Monitor, "I don't think I've ever yet seen an adult sex offender who wasn't involved with pornography."'
The only thing I can imagine this is trying to imply is that pornography leads some to become sex offenders. That's a rather silly causal argument when a bit of critical thought is applied. Is it so surprising that those who lack the self-control to refrain from sexual crimes wouldn't also, incidentally, seek to sate their urges in more convenient and legal contexts?
I don't think I've ever met somebody with a fully functional set of genitals who wasn't involved in pornography.
Anonymous (December 5, 2007 @ 9:07pm):
A few things:
- "British singer Jarvis Cocker" - anyone else realize how funny this is?
- I agree with 7:42, just because all sex offenders were involved with porn does not make it a causal relationship
- Us guys definitely get ideas from porn. For the sake of being politically correct (letting my post go through), this includes things like the pearl necklace and the raspberry swirl (minus the raspberry part, but I think you get what I'm saying here. As I said once my freshman year, "Of course porn gives us ideas. That's why I don't watch gay porn...don't wanna get any ideas." I was drunk at the time.
Anonymous (December 7, 2007 @ 5:34am):
"I don't think I've ever yet seen an adult sex offender who wasn't involved with pornography."
well, I don't think I've ever seen an adult male EVER who wasn't "involved" w/ pornography. (or adult female, for that matter)
Anonymous (December 7, 2007 @ 10:01am):
Not sure if its accounted for in the article but what about audio erotica/porn such as sexaudia etc.?
Anonymous (December 7, 2007 @ 10:38am):
Moralists always think that the current culture is going down the drain. In hindsight that's obviously not true. Cultures change, that's all.
Sure, there is more variety of porn but that is simply a matter of catering to niches. Porn doesn't create the attitudes, people's porn watching follows their desires.
Dee (December 7, 2007 @ 11:47am):
Thank you for the insightful read. While the thoughts expressed are not necessary profound, I appreciate being reminded of what modern porn lacks - believability and a doorway for the viewer to invest in the content. I'm sure this is the result of the "fast food" culture we live in. If Hollywood can figure it out, I'm sure some of the smut kings will clue in as well.
From a business perspective, I'm guessing there is a huge opportunity that longs to be filled. In classic capitalist style, it's only a matter of time before greed figures out the formula. Have faith, even McDonalds has figured out how to make a salad... sort of.
Anonymous (December 7, 2007 @ 11:20pm):
The article makes sense, mostly. But please don't quote Judith Reisman. She is an ideological prig, a quack promulgating junk science of the most obvious kind. Her writing is denounced by sexologists. Please read anything she has written and see for yourself.
She claims that images of nudity scar children for life. Honestly, now.
America is abysmally body phobic. Judith Reisman is its high priestess of body fear and loathing, shame and blame, and much of the pathological attitude about the body and sexuality that is running rampant today.
Anonymous (January 24, 2008 @ 1:48pm):
Porn is just plain sick.
Anonymous (February 13, 2008 @ 1:32pm):
Former Porn User Says Porn Degrades Women As Just Orifices To Stick
Go back to previous topic
Forum Name Women's Rights
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=229x6696#6812
6812, Since you
Posted by gaspee on Sat Mar-31-07 08:28 AM
-- (warning for frank language.)
Seem to think only people who have seen a lot of porn are qualified to speak, I might meet your qualifications. I've watched a lot of porn. I used to have no problem with porn. I *write* erotica for a few online magazines. A few years ago, I got so disgusted by het porn that I've never watched it again. I will watch gay porn, either m/m or made for *women* f/f. I won't watch made for men f/f.
porn is degrading to women. Period. Mainstream porn, especailly. I've watched a lot of it over the years. I'm no spring chicken. I don't have a problem watching m/m porn. Funny, that. Know why? because I don't take it personally when men are treated like a f*ck hole. Hmmm... I think I'm onto why most men don't have a problem watching women turned into nothing but a place to stick their d*ck.
When watching for what passes as mainstream porn these days, I get sick to my stomach. Anal, face fucking to the point where the poor girl is next to vomiting, slapping, demeaning talk. it's all there in mainstream porn. Why men are so turned on by anal in het porn has always been a mystery to me. Why women do it is another mystery. I can get why men have anal sex. Women do it because men want them to.
What makes me the most sick is the look in the girls', oh sorry, *actresses*, eyes. It f*cking kills me these days, which is why I don't watch het porn any more.
And I'm speaking as someone who has seen a lot of it.
Now put on some Bel Ami stuff and my girlfriend and I are quite happy. Why? Watch it sometime, then watch the current top five or ten selling het porn titles and I think you'll see the difference. And if you don't, that's a little scary.
And to continually say that het porn "isn't like that" and looking at the top selling and rented titles makes me think you are being disingenious or in plain old denial.
Because the most popular het porn is like that.
And someone doesn't have to watch a lot of porn to see just how degrading to women it is. One or two mainstream het movies should do that pretty darn quick.
Anonymous (February 13, 2008 @ 1:57pm):
I know first hand the damaging effects pornography has on many male users especially teen boys.
In the Fall of 1978 when I was 13 and a half I was the only girl in a classroom of teenage boys. I was very big busted by that age and considered beautiful and I was molested by two 14 year old boys who repeatedly grabbed at my breasts and crotch. One of the boys made several references to the women in Playboy and the other boy shoved a pornographic magazine into my face in an empty classroom,and he said here is a picture of a girl fingering herself. Now this was before the days of the internet and before hardcore pornography was made so mainstreamed and normalized and common place and I doubt they had seen hardcore pornography. But they still learned from the so-called "softcore" pornography the same sexist woman hating dehumanizing attitudes that all pornography teaches boys and men,that girls and women exist just to be sexually used for their pleasure,and they have a right to take and use us and that we want to be sexually used as objects! In the early 1990's I spoke with Rhea Becker at the Women's Alliance Against Pornography in Boston and she and others working on this issue told me it's very common and they knew other women who had similar experiences by sexual abusers who used the pornography as part of the sexual abuse.
Also it wasn't just these two boys,I couldn't walk in the halls past other boys without some dehumanizing sexist comments made about my big breasts. And when I was 14 I was sitiing on the art room steps with a boyfriend and the artroom teacher who must of been in his 30's says to a whole room full of teenage boys,that the boy I was sitting on the stairs with said it's the art room teachers turn after his.
And it's really sick,disturbing and terrible for *any* woman to use or support sexist,male supremacy,dehumanizing,woman hating typical pornography! It's exactly like black people and Jews using and supporting sexualized racist and anti-semetic pornography! And socilogy and Women's Studies professor and long time anti-pornograohy,anti-violence educator Dr.Gail Dines at the co-ed college Wheelock,said in a 2003 online interview when she was asked what she hears from her female students,she said the most interesting thing she hears is that many of them tell her that many of their boyfriends constantly ask them to do the things they see in pornography,she said they have seen it in the pornography and they want to experience it in real life. And she said many women are soi afraid of not having a man in their life that they give in and do these things even though their instincts say don't do it.
And Dr.Ching Sun who is another feminist anti-porn educator says that many women tell her that their boyfriends and husbands constantly ask them to do the things they see in pornography. I have read many women saying this on message boards also,they say they don't want men to ejaculate on their faces,and bodies they feel it's degrading and disgusting, etc and that their boyfriends and husbands got the idea from watching pornography. I have also read posts from men asking how they can get their wives and girlfriends to take a facial and they say like in porn videos and one guy wrote on a "adult" advice site that his girlfriend who was always wild in bed freaked out and left him after he ejaculated on her face,and he said he couldn't understand why because all of the women porn stars love facials.
I have seen so many pornographic web sites that depict and describe women and sex so hatefully and violent with words like this, slamming,banging,and pounding huge c*cks into the sluts,whores and bitches, one pornographic video was called,This Bitch Hates Facials,another described drunken sluts getting f*cked hard,and there was throat f*cking and gagging sluts videos,another described a slut getting f*cked so hard in the ass until she screams,and another described a whore sister being f*cked hard, etc It's so sick and damaging and it's really a sick male dominated woman hating society that has normalized it! Of course pornography is a big reason we live in a sick male dominated woman hating society and thats where pornography as you already know came from in the first place! It portrays women as nothing but things to stick penises into and nothing but things to feel,f*ck,ejaculate all over and forget for the whole sexist male dominated woman hating society's pleasure!
Whats really even more disturbing is because pornography sexualizes male dominance and women's subordination, sexist gender inequality in a very sexist male dominated woman hating society,and because it's been unjustly mainstreamed and normalized, many women I have found on message boards are saying they like pornography,it's really insane it's the exact same thing as a black person liking and getting off on racist pornography or a Jew liking and getting off on anti-semetic pornography! Anti-pornography feminist philosophy professor Rebecca Whisnant said to me in a phone conversation in 2004 that many women are now playing along with pornography because many of their boyfriends and husbands use it and she said if you can't beat them join them.And most reasearch shows that it's usually because of a male partner that women are introcuced to pornography,and because it's been unjustly normalized and mainstreamed in a sexist,woman hating male dominated society,where men make all of the rules we all live by,sadly many women are now influenced by it.
Anonymous (May 29, 2008 @ 3:13am):
Anyone who thinks porn is okay has bought into the lie that is porn. Go here http://richelectron.blogspot.com/2008/05/porn-is-bad-and-heres-why.html for an interesting perspective and actual porn star testimonies.
Anonymous (June 19, 2008 @ 5:07am):
All you guys who commented are fucking fucked. Go kill yourselves.
Anonymous (June 19, 2008 @ 5:08am):
I feel sorry for all of you who are standing up for pornography and everything it stands for and stands to destroy.
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