TABOO TOPIC: Pornography/Erotica

[thushan]

This is a taboo topic - but remember our line - if taboo topics are not discussed, informed and sophisticated views cannot be made as easily.

Also, this topic can be quite...amenable to memes/jokes. While a little bit of a laugh can be ok, please have some maturity about it.

I raise this (a bit belatedly!) because of the advent of the erotica 50 Shades of Grey, read mostly by women (feel free to correct me if I am wrong). It raises a point now.

Of course it isn't 100% right to watch (and read?) it, we have our usual arguments about degradation and the like. However, to what extent should people be shunned for watching it? Should they or should they not be forgiven? Where do our expectations lie? Is the situation "if he watches it he's a bastard and should be shunned and that is that" or "it would be good if he doesn't watch it, but he can be forgiven for doing so?"

Another scope of discussion is the role of pornography/erotica in relationships. As it stands, in some relationships its central and embraced by both the male and female, in others it's banned.

Now remember, this is merely a discussion of ideas. You are not to judge other people for what they say - if people feel as though they are going to be judged for what they say, they will refrain from saying anything, and their ideas will not have any opportunity for refinement.

Also: NO TROLLING. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS.

[ninwa]

However, to what extent should people be shunned for watching it? Should they or should they not be forgiven?

1) Never
2) What's to forgive? :\

??

[enwiabe]

However, to what extent should people be shunned for watching it? Should they or should they not be forgiven?

1) Never
2) What's to forgive? :\

??

I think the point chemderp is making is that pornography can be hurtful to women (especially victims of abuse, who end up doing porn in a viciously self-destructive cycle - and porn execs take advantage of their vulnerable nature). He's asking how much blame society should take for enjoying its consumption when it can hurt people.

[Art Vandelay]

As long as in production, no one is harmed/exploited, I feel as though there shouldn't be a problem. It's just difficult to tell when someone's being exploited.

In balance, if you enter into a relationship, and your partner is not okay with it (for whatever reason), I think that there should be more discourse regarding this 'taboo'.

I do, however, feel that pornography may have harmful effects to (some members of) our society.  It could lead to objectification of men/women or a skewed perception regarding sex.

idk

[ninwa]

I think the point chemderp is making is that pornography can be hurtful to women (especially victims of abuse, who end up doing porn in a viciously self-destructive cycle - and porn execs take advantage of their vulnerable nature). He's asking how much blame society should take for enjoying its consumption when it can hurt people.

That's like "shunning" someone because they used a moisturiser that was tested on animals

How many people watch porn and actively think "oh she's being forced to do this but I don't give a fuck"? For those that actually do, and watch it regardless, sure shun them. Most people don't think like that.

[brenden]

*ah crap I meant to quote your post but i accidentally modified it, SORRY!*

(chemderp)

[Russ]

This thread can be summarized as "porn is neither degrading nor empowering of women but exists on a spectrum, where there are no absolutes"

Stoya wrote some interesting posts about it if you want to google it

[MonsieurHulot]

Of course it isn't 100% right to watch (and read?) it, we have our usual arguments about degradation and the like.

Why isn't it 100% right/okay/acceptable to watch/read pornographic materials?

[thushan]

The usual ideas about degradation. Then again...males perform in the act as well I guess...

[MonsieurHulot]

The usual ideas about degradation. Then again...males perform in the act as well I guess...

That's true, for some it may be degrading and a last choice, but for others it can be empowering (see above). I don't think that someone should be shunned or treated any differently because they watch completely legal videos.

[thushan]

Of course it isn't 100% right to watch (and read?) it, we have our usual arguments about degradation and the like.

Why isn't it 100% right/okay/acceptable to watch/read pornographic materials?

Oh, and especially where one is in a relationship and one member is very uncomfortable with the other watching pornography - because it can be a symbol of "you're not good enough to satisfy me" or even a sense of "you are cheating on me" to an extent.

[ninwa]

That is solely the problem of the other partner being irrationally insecure. Just because the other partner has mental issues that need to be worked out before they get into a relationship doesn't make watching porn wrong.

[thushan]

That is solely the problem of the other partner being irrationally insecure. Just because the other partner has mental issues that need to be worked out before they get into a relationship doesn't make watching porn wrong.

Well, still, it would be good if you could be considerate to your partner?

[ninwa]

There's consideration and then there's bending to unreasonable demands.

[thushan]

There's consideration and then there's bending to unreasonable demands.

Not that unreasonable...that's just a possessive nature. Like once you're in a relationship, its assumed that intimacy is exclusive. Hence why its anathema to say cheat on your partner. Is watching pornography not in a similar boat, except one is fantasising over some other person rather than performing an act?