Over the past few weeks, I have been helping out a friend whose girlfriend broke up with him because she feels that he has an unhealthy relationship with porn. (Well, there were other reasons too, but this was big for her.) She has been sending him anti-porn links about how addictive and dangerous porn is, how relationships are weakened by unrealistic sexual expectations created by watching porn, and of course, the mainstay: that porn is harmful to women.
Of course, I read all these articles with interest, and also noticed that one of them was written by George W. Bush’s former speechwriter. Is there a link? I think so.
While I believe there is a lot of bad, anti-woman porn out there, anti-porn advocates who unflailingly say that all pornography is BAD, are also, in many cases, those same people who seek to control women’s bodies through anti-abortion initiatives and anti-gay legislation. For me, it boils down to the fact that we have to combat the age-old stereotype of the slutty girl as out of control, asking for trouble, and of course, worthy of gossip - although men can prowl around and everyone celebrates it.
I want to know - how can I learn about sex if I don’t get a chance to see it, and to see positive and real and sexy representations of it? Yes, I can read books, experiment alone and with partners, but sometimes I gotta see to learn, no? There must be some way in porn to celebrate women’s sexuality with honor and respect.
Now, the usual porn star schtick of busty schoolgirls and fake Os (if any) is by far the mainstream, but there are alternatives. Believe it or not, there are many many many feminists who are making great porn: people like Abiola Adams, Jen Bowers, Tristan Taormino, and Candida Royalle. I got to see these women chatting it up last week at the first-ever Feminist Porn Awards. They discussed real topics, like what makes their porn feminist, how they treat their actors and workers with respect and empowerment, how they ethically distribute their work, and what it’s like to work in an industry with such a bad name, making films that aim to make women feel good about sex, about their bodies, and to feel pleasure.
What do you think? Thanks in advance for your thoughts…
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three comments
That tidbit about Bush's scriptwriter penning anti-porn articles reminded me of something a friend recently pointed out, which is that given the present US admin's policies on women's reproductive rights, sex education in school, and general (un)availability of contraceptive options, it appears the Republican government dislikes heteros as much as it does homos; the prevalent anti-sex attitude (gay, straight, and miscellaneous) is all the more reason to consider porn as a potential means of restoring some semblance of control over and enjoyment of our sexual selves.
For a feminist critique of porn, Andrea Dworkin is a good place to start. She might seem a little bit dated at times, and in the end you might not agree with her (heck, for the most part I don't), but she does offer a critical feminist standpoint against porn rather than the conservative "boobies are Satan's nipply handiwork and fornication causes brain damage and zombie children" perspective. So even if you come to the conclusion that she's full of rotten bologna, at least you'll arrive there well-informed! And there's nothing sexier than being well-informed, n'est-ce pas?
Thanks for starting off this juicy topic, Pike.
Posted by Anna
June 4, 2006, 2:21 PM
Nina Hartley is a good place to start in terms of the pro-porn or "porn-friendly" feminist side of it.
Chyng Sun I would also recommend for the opposite side.
And of course Ariel Levy's Female Chauvinist Pigs for an examination into porn "raunch" culture.
Posted by 206
June 6, 2006, 1:44 AM
I first of all want to appreciate every ones effort to fight porn and for sure God will count you for that.
Am 19 an for sure i do protest against any kind of porn.
This is because there is nothing like good and bad porn.
It all remains pornogarphy!
I do call on all the authorities concerned to help us in this issue.
And if possible send us her in Uganda some soft ware that can avoid it.
Posted by ELIJAH MUWANGUZI
January 21, 2007, 11:13 AM
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