Could Porn Help Deter Sexual Violence?

We've been talking about porn a lot lately. We've debated some of the reasons our readers might object to porn. Of course, Camille Crimson named 5 ways porn can be beautiful. GetLusty's Mary-Margaret Sweene also talked about confronting our fear of porn. Today, Dr. Carlen is talking from her point of view why porn may be more important to the sexual lives of North Americans than we sometimes think. Indeed, she argues that she agrees with a Scientific American Mind article that tested porn actually lead to reduced sexual violence against women. Either way you believe on the spectrum, we appreciate your feedback. Feel free to comment below!

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Don’t let me tell you some of my other favourite four letter words (and some 5 letter ones too). We would be here for a while. I recently read an article titled “Does porn actually help deter sexual violence?”. As a Sexologist, and due to the evidence of studies quoted in the article, I’d have to completely agree with what is being written here. From the article, “[Pornography] does not promote sexism. It does not promote sexual violence. In fact, it may make some porn consumers less likely to commit sexual crimes, says an article in the July 2011 edition of Scientific American Mind.”

Let’s be honest. As women, and as a self identified humanist, with feminist qualities women get the short end of the stick. Our wages are imbalanced. Because of our physiology our governments and capitalism demean our worth. And we still unfortunately live in a highly patriarchal society. So, why don't we blame that? Blame the ancient ideologies that we as a society clearly still cater to.

Pornography is not harmful to men or women. There are aspects of pornography which do offend, but everyone is entitled to an opinion. Before cleanly and abruptly dismissing tools which can actually influence a positive effect towards the development of intimacy for many couples, we need to consider the educational side.

For those of you who are interested, yes the sex worker industry does need attention. There are a countless number of ways that the industry in its entirety needs to be regulated. Consider healthcare, taxed and given structure for equal proprietorship. Pornography may have a negative influence upon you. But this depends on your pre-exisiting conscience and sub-science assessment of understanding. Inclusive of pre-existing religious notions, cultural and sociogical influences, and just plainly whatever you learned in life.

In terms of its use as a tool, it can be effective in normalizing behaviours, feelings, fantasies and attitudes for all people who may feel uncomfortable with the very conversation of anything sexual on every level. Regulation of the industry does need to happen in order to protect and guarantee that basic human rights are not being infringed upon for all involved. But that is the conversation worth having, not dismissing the industry on the whole.

Especially in London, Ontario. There has been a large crusade to get rid of pornography all together. How backwards is this? To me, this kind of sounds like the 1950’s where our communities propagated to put women back in the kitchen and treat us like soft little toys. Are you trying to tell me that because I am a woman I can’t handle it? Are you trying to tell me that as a woman, I’m too, “weak” or I’ve become some sort of, “victim” because I’m horny as hell? That I can't engage in a form of consensual activity with whomever and however many I choose?

Yes. That is what removing pornography is telling me. Allowing for persons to have outlets, that are safe, that are consensual and that do not cause harm unto others is what the adult industry is all about. In case you didn’t know, those of us in the field have began to move away from the word pornography due to the negative connotations that have become associated with the word. Therefore, we use terms such as erotic films, adult industry, and the characteristic terms of the acts being portrayed. For example, BDSM, homo-erotic, and other types of play. Why? In order to uplift and create positive dialogue behind the real issues of the industry, not that people are having sex. that’s obvious. Videos, and other such similar forms of pornography are outlets. Ways that compliment our ability to fantasize and increase our desire and sensual pleasure.

Sure, adult videos may have influenced a push towards the increase of plastic boobs, and hairless vulvas. So did Desperate Housewives. But that’s also part of the originial problem of the commodifation of persons as objects and devolvement of misogyny on women at all levels. But now they have so many variations of pornography. Big busted, gay male, feminist, threesome, group, toys. The list goes on and on! If anything, I would say the pornography industry is actually the most inclusive market in the world. Where everyone is hot, and everyone gets off.

So now what?

This city is trying to satisfy the complaints of a few people. On the other hand, it's ignoring not only the tourism industry (thus creating jobs; btw; did we forget that London has a sky-rocketing unemployment rate?). What about  the healthy sexual needs of the majority? In the privacy of their own homes. They feel guilt or shame because something that you don’t understand is inflicting orgasms. Oh wait! Harm. Yes, harm I think is the term some people are using these days.

When people don’t understand things it is unfortunate that instead of seeking information and educating themselves there is an automatic induction of fear. Didn’t someone once say, if something scares you that’s all the more reason to jump into the face of adversity, face your fears and conquer the world! Ok well, not in so many words, but you get it!

“So it seems porn is not inherently bad. Misogynistic producers and directors make it bad”. Big difference. I honesty think that we look at an industry as pornography and give it too much power. We instead need to be able to digress and choose to understand it, and mold it into a healthy medium and positive outlet.

Originally posted on Dr. Carlen's Sexy Living Tumblr.

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Dr. Carlen Costa is pretty awesome. A resident of London, Ontario in Canada, she's making waves in London and beyond.

As a Sexologist, "Sexy Living with Dr. Carlen" is the creation of a safe space in order to discuss concerns, desires or general questions in regards to your relationship with your partner, yourself, and others. Send me questions, send me your thoughts! Through this we will cater to all orientations, genders and age groups. We are all Sexy beings, and should feel as such in our own skins. Find Dr. Carlen on Twitter @DrCarlen and 'Like' her Facebook page.