Does Pornography Harm America?

Does Pornography Harm America?

The Internet explosion has brought the previously underground world of pornography directly to the homes and desktops of thousands of Americans. In fact, porn now grosses an estimated $15 billion annually in the U.S. alone. While some see pornography's popularity as a sign of America's profound moral decay, others believe pornography is harmless -- and even beneficial or educational. Is pornography dirty entertainment or good clean fun?

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Nina Hartley

Expectations Be Damned

Nina Hartley

Actress, Sex Educator, Author

The accusation that porn creates unrealistic demands on women to behave a certain way with regard to sex is another example of personal opinion paraded as objective fact. If one takes a good look at commercially available adult material, one will see a much wider variety of body types, both male and female, then are generally seen in mainstream media and advertising. Performers of both genders range in age from 18-60+, and are of all races, ethnicities and body types. If people look at enough porn they’re likely find a performer who looks a lot like them. If a woman feels her partner compares her negatively against a two dimensional fantasy object, that says a lot more about the jerk she’s dating than it says about porn.

Another accusation anti-porn cultists like to throw at porn is that it presents women as being only good for sex. Well, sex is porn’s raison d’etre. If they paid any attention at all, the naysayers would notice that porn also portrays men as only good for sex. Porn’s funny that way. If we want to see women as being competent in, say, home repair or international finance, we’d watch HGTV or the Financial Channel, but if we want to get frisky then the right dose of porn can be just the ticket.

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  • Nina Hartley
    Nina Hartley is an American pornographic actress, pornographic film director and sex educator.

    Politically, Hartley is a socialist and outspoken... More

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