Free Essays on Pornography

TITLE: THE HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF PORNOGRAPHY Pornography gets people bothered as dependably as it gets them hot. There’s something philosophically itchy about text that is so intimately linked to action†¦Ã¢â‚¬  ( Weatherfield,M.1998 ). Pornography inspires many diverse and strong debates even today in the 21st century despite this topic’s notorious history throughout the ages. Aside of the social and political arguments on pornography, the history of this particular subject- its beginnings and the societies from which it came- is of great worth and interest. The literature coming out of France in the 18th century, the prohibited literature that was censored and burnt by those in authority as well as the writers of pornography themselves, were catalysts in revolutionising societies definitions of sexual practise and social custom. Thus the historical and social repercussions of this literary movement, its establishment of a rich genre of sexual representations and the subsequent views on sexuality wit hin society, are seen to be heavily indebted to 18th century France. Pornography’s definition is as troubling as its political debates. â€Å"The written or visual presentation in a realistic form of any genital or sexual behaviour with a deliberate violation of existing and widely accepted moral and social taboos† ( Stewart,P.1997 ). Despite the somewhat vague terms used in this definition it suffices as the closest interpretation of pornography outside of art, personal opinion, erotic literature, and anything which arouses sexual feelings. The word itself first coming into existence in 1869, meaning the â€Å"literature or writing of prostitutes† ( Stewart,P.1997 ). However 18th century France’s definition of pornography was not the same as modern day man’s definition. Books at that time were separated into work of the Enlightenment and pornography. The latter half were illegal, the political satire that they... Free Essays on Pornography Free Essays on Pornography Pornography Degrades Women Porn is a cancer eating away at the souls of millions of men, women, and children at this very hour (Kennedy 1). Porn is also known as any material that combines sex and/or exposure of genitals with abuse or degradation in a manner that appears to endorse, condone, or encourage such behavior (Pornography 1). Porn is one of the most controversial forms of expression (Downs 1). Porn is not â€Å"just fantasy† for the women who are used in making it (Russell 6). Many people’s attitudes toward porn show how controversial it really is. The availability of porn and the effects it has on people shows just how degrading it truly is. Porn sends the message of men and women enjoying being beaten, abused, and raped. It also sends the message that women secretly enjoy the abuse which is untrue (Pornography 1). Porn is available on television and can easily be accessed on the internet (Wierzbicka 1). Video stores, adult video stores, variety stores, adult stores, and newspapers are other places where pornography can be accessed or advertised (Pornography 1-2). America is by far the world’s leading producer of porn, churning out hard-core videos at the astonishing rate of about 150 new titles per week. Today pornography brings in at least $8 million per year and potentially much more in hidden and illegal profits. The porn industry has surpassed total Hollywood revenues for all domestic box office receipts and earns more each year than all the revenues from the sale of rock or country music. A sociologist quoted in the U.S. News report says the sexual content of American culture has changed m ore in the last two decades than in the previous two centuries (Kennedy 1-2). The amount of profits that pornography brings in gives an example to how many people are using porn and how available it is. People do not understand how obscene porn is (Wierzbicka 1). Some scholars have... Free Essays on Pornography TITLE: THE HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF PORNOGRAPHY Pornography gets people bothered as dependably as it gets them hot. There’s something philosophically itchy about text that is so intimately linked to action†¦Ã¢â‚¬  ( Weatherfield,M.1998 ). Pornography inspires many diverse and strong debates even today in the 21st century despite this topic’s notorious history throughout the ages. Aside of the social and political arguments on pornography, the history of this particular subject- its beginnings and the societies from which it came- is of great worth and interest. The literature coming out of France in the 18th century, the prohibited literature that was censored and burnt by those in authority as well as the writers of pornography themselves, were catalysts in revolutionising societies definitions of sexual practise and social custom. Thus the historical and social repercussions of this literary movement, its establishment of a rich genre of sexual representations and the subsequent views on sexuality wit hin society, are seen to be heavily indebted to 18th century France. Pornography’s definition is as troubling as its political debates. â€Å"The written or visual presentation in a realistic form of any genital or sexual behaviour with a deliberate violation of existing and widely accepted moral and social taboos† ( Stewart,P.1997 ). Despite the somewhat vague terms used in this definition it suffices as the closest interpretation of pornography outside of art, personal opinion, erotic literature, and anything which arouses sexual feelings. The word itself first coming into existence in 1869, meaning the â€Å"literature or writing of prostitutes† ( Stewart,P.1997 ). However 18th century France’s definition of pornography was not the same as modern day man’s definition. Books at that time were separated into work of the Enlightenment and pornography. The latter half were illegal, the political satire that they... Free Essays on Pornography It started by way of messengers and scribes, evolved through the presentation of newspapers and radio, brought us together with television, and now serves us world-wide via the ever-popular Internet. It is the mass media, and even from the earliest days of its existence, it has contributed greatly in ways that both enlighten and enrich society, and ways that deteriorate and perplex it. It is not a surprise to learn, then, that the mass media is the most powerful source of information we have, and nothing else in today’s world influences public perception quite as heavily. Unfortunately, however, most of what is broadcast or transmitted in the news today is with reference to the chaotic condition of our planet, or something else that society as a whole sees as detrimental or damaging. But the news on television is not the only type of media taking the criticism of society. Other forms of mass media, specifically movies and television programs containing pornography and violence have been heavily criticized. The underlining concept to be debated here is that society is negatively influenced, specifically, by these images of pornography and the result is increased violence against women. This assumption, and it is indeed only an assumption, is completely fallacious, however, as no concrete and completely conclusive evidence has ever been formulated in support of the theory. The key premise here is that the mass media does not cause undesirable social behaviour and in actuality, the media people should not be dubbed as the â€Å"bad guys†. They sim ply use their power in the most constructive ways possible in order to promote their ratings and popularity. One way to do that is to concentrate on what sells: sex, violence and disaster. Having said this, why is it then, that many in society still believe otherwise; why do they continue to believe that pornography is â€Å"evil† and is a major cause for violence against women, specifical...