General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: With all the anti-pornography talk, can we have a sex positive thread? [View all]last1standing
(11,709 posts)Maybe if we both try very hard, we won't piss each other off in every post.
First, let's talk about what we agree on so far as I can see:
Neither of us likes simulated rape porn (I'll leave real rape porn out of the discussion because it is already illegal and should be prosecuted aggressively). I find it disturbing in every way possible. I can't understand the thrill people experience from it.
Both of us agree that many, if not most, women in sex work positions are not equal traders in perfect market. They are often there because they have been sold into slavery, addicted to drugs or otherwise impoverished, or abused to the point of retaining little or no self esteem.
We also agree that the sex work industry as a whole often exploits the desperation of these women by placing them in dangerous or uncomfortable positions with little oversight concern for safety.
We both agree that the Supreme Court has interpreted the 1st amendment to protect most adult pornography.
So the question becomes what can be done, within the confines of 1st amendment protections, to stop the exploitation of these women?
It's my contention that instead of trying to ban or restrict pornography, which would only send it back underground, we need to go to the root of the problems: poverty, crime and self-esteem.
Obviously, on this site the vast majority of us want to reduce poverty and income disparity. To do this we need a legalized livable wage indexed to inflation, a healthcare system that ensures that no one is ever bankrupted due to illness, and either a guaranteed job or, like Sweden is proposing, a guaranteed income.
As for crime, pornography is like drugs, abortion, prostitution, or any other "victimless" crime; if it is made illegal it will only go underground and those involved will suffer even more than they currently do. This is why I have always supported strong regulations on the pornographic industry to ensure the safety and rights of the workers.
Lastly, self-esteem, which is the most difficult problem. I have to admit I don't think I have all the answers here. In 2013, American culture is still extremely white male-centric and women, especially girls, are fed the belief that men must do, while they must be. Our entertainment tell us this, our schools tell us this, and our families tell us this. As a white male, I have no real concept of the Hell that must play on a young girl's self-esteem, but it's incredibly disconcerting. I'd be glad to hear your ideas here.
As for the effects of porn, I believe, based on reading your posts, that our major difference lies in whether we believe that simulated rape porn (or any porn) acts as a stimulant that encourages rape, acts as a depressive that discourages rape, or has a neutral effect.
Based on my readings of the commission LBJ formed in 1969 found no link between pornography and violent acts while the Meese Study published under Reagan in 1986 did find harmful effects but was so roundly criticized by experts in the field that it had little more impact than causing 7/11 to stop selling Playboy.
Since that time, studies by John Briere and Neil M. Malamuth have posited a correlation between the average viewing time of pornography and acceptance of sexual violence but again these studies have been criticized as vastly flawed as have the associations and other non-scientifically accepted views of these researchers.
Meanwhile, in 1970 a Dutch study found that legalizing pornography did not lead to a corresponding increase in sexual violence. Later, a study from the University of Hawaii actually found a sharp drop in the rate of child molestation after a restriction on pornography was removed in 1989. These studies have been generally accepted in the scientific community.
Related to the subject, a study released by Drs. Christopher Ferguson and Cheryl Olson earlier this year found no correlation between violent video games and increased violent behavior in children.
Based on these findings, it's my belief that pornography, even pornography with simulated violence, does not promote sexual aggression; in fact it may act as a minor deterrent in that it might be used to give a would be assailant the rush he needs without having to inflict pain on others. Of course, this last part is only my conjecture and I wouldn't begin to argue this as the reason some studies have seen a drop in sexual violence with the increase in pornographic availability.
Lastly, I have to admit to not being quite sure what you mean when you talk of "rape culture." I would think it's tied into the self-esteem issue in which women are taught to believe they are here to submit to men while men are taught that women are prizes to win, not equals with their own views and interests. Am I close? If so, I agree with you there as well; I've just never used that term to describe it.