This document discusses pornography and its definitions, categories, consumption, and impacts. It defines pornography as sexually explicit material primarily meant to arouse viewers. Pornography is categorized into softcore and hardcore varieties. Research suggests exposure to violent pornography can increase acceptance of rape myths and aggression towards women. The widespread availability of pornography online, especially for youth, is also discussed as a concern.

1. Media, Sex, Sexual Violence and Gender:
What’s Porn Got to do with it?
TAITU HERON
October 25, 2011 CARIMAC Presentation
taitu.heron02@uwimona.edu.jm
Women’s Media Watch Jamaica
& Institute for Gender & Development Studies, UWI Mona
1

2. WARNING!
THIS PRESENTATION
INCLUDES SEXUALLY GRAPHIC
CONTENT
if you are squeamish ....rational
thinking is recommended. But
remember ...this is an intellectual
exercise.

3. Pornography – the etymology
• "description of prostitutes," from Fr. pornographie, from
Gk. pornographos "(one) writing of prostitutes," from
porne "prostitute," originally "bought, purchased" (with
an original notion, probably of "female slave sold for
prostitution;" related to pernanai "to sell," from PIE root
per- "to traffic in, to sell," cf. L. pretium "price") + graphein
"to write" (see -graphy). The word did not enter the
English language as the familiar conjunction until 1857 or
as a French import in New Orleans in 1842.
• "I can't define pornography," one US judge once said, "but
I know it when I see it." (Justice Stewart in Jacobellis v.
Ohio 378 US 184 (1964).)
3

4. Pornography – so what is it really?
• Pornography is any material (either pictures or
words) that is sexually explicit.
• This definition of pornography may pick out
different types of material in different contexts,
since what is viewed as sexually explicit can vary
from culture to culture and over time.
• "Sexually explicit" functions as a kind of indexical
term, picking out different features depending on
what has certain effects or breaks certain taboos
in different contexts and cultures.
4

5. Definitions continued
• Sexual explicitness may be a necessary
condition for material to count as
pornographic, but it does not seem to be
sufficient. What else might be required?
• Analysing porn means analysing the gender
and power dynamics at play; it means looking
at the process of production and consumption
and the broader context this occurs in.
5

6. Definitions continued (2)
• Displays of women's uncovered legs count as sexually
explicit in some cultures, but not in most western
cultures or western-influenced cultures nowadays.
• There may be borderline cases too: do displays of
bared breasts still count as sexually explicit in various
contemporary western cultures?
• However, some material seems clearly to count as
sexually explicit in many contexts today: in particular,
audio, written or visual representations of sexual acts
(e.g., sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex) and
exposed body parts (e.g., the vagina, anus and penis-
especially the erect penis or an aroused vagina).
6

7. Sexually explicit?
7

8. Sexually explicit?
Magnum calendar girls Katy Perry
8

9. Sexually explicit?
Demi Moore D’Angelo
9

10. Sexually explicit?
10

11. Sexually explicit?
11

12. 12
Sexually explicit?

13. So do we get the idea of what sexually
explicit is ?
• Within the general class of sexually explicit
material, there is great variety in content. For
example, some sexually explicit material
depicts women, and sometimes men, in
postures of sexual display.
• Some depicts non-violent sexual acts (both
homosexual and heterosexual) between
adults who are portrayed as equal and
consenting participants.
13

14. Sexually explicitness continued
• Other sexually explicit representations depict acts of
violent coercion: people being bound, whipped,
beaten, tortured, penetrated by objects, mutilated,
raped and even killed.
• Some sexually explicit material may be degrading,
without necessarily being overtly violent.
• This material depicts people (most often women) in
positions of servility and subordination in their sexual
relations with others, or engaged in sexual acts that
many people would regard as humiliating.
• Some sexually explicit material involves or depicts
children.
14

15. So what is it really we ask again?
1. Pornography is sexually explicit material (verbal or pictorial) that is
primarily designed to produce sexual arousal in viewers.
2. pornography is sexually explicit material designed to produce
sexual arousal in consumers that is bad in a certain way. This
definition of pornography makes it analytically true that
pornography is bad: by definition, material that is not bad in the
relevant way is not pornography.
3. It might be that all and only sexually explicit material is bad in a
certain way (e.g., obscene - that it depicts deviant sexual acts that
are deemed immoral ): in which case, "pornography" will refer to
all and only the class of sexually explicit materials. But it might be
that only some sexually explicit material is objectionable (e.g.,
degrading to women and men), in which case only the bad subset
of sexually explicit material will count as pornography.
15

16. We really need to get to understanding
what it really is....
• It might be that all and only sexually explicit material is
bad in a certain way (e.g., obscene): in which case,
"pornography" will refer to all and only the class of
sexually explicit materials. But it might be that only
some sexually explicit material is objectionable (e.g.,
degrading to women), in which case only the bad
subset of sexually explicit material will count as
pornography.
• It is possible that no sexually explicit material is bad in
the relevant way (e.g., harmful to women), in which
case we would have an error theory about
pornography: there would be no pornography, so
defined, merely harmless, sexually explicit "erotica".
16

17. Getting to the gender bottom of
it....(no pun intended)
• But the badness of pornography need not reside in obscenity.
Pornography might be defined, not as sexually explicit material that is
obscene, but as that sexually explicit material that harms women and
harms the portrayal of women. Thus many contemporary feminist
definitions define "pornography" as sexually explicit material that depicts
women's subordination in such a way as to endorse that subordination.
• And... The badness of pornography is that which has sexually explicit
material which harms the portrayal of men in gender stereotypical ways
and promotes hyper-domination and false authority.
• Objectification on both accounts for both women and men. The idea that
the objectification in pornography works to effect sexual violence in
society, that it typically involves the depiction of violence, ..women tied
up, stretched, hanged, fucked, gang-banged, whipped, beaten and begging
for more and men have the strength and stamina to do it.
17

18. A feminist definition of pornography
• .....pornography as the graphic sexually explicit subordination of
women through pictures and words that also includes (i) women are
presented dehumanized as sexual objects, things, or commodities; or
(ii) women are presented as sexual objects who enjoy humiliation or
pain; or (iii) women are presented as sexual objects experiencing
sexual pleasure in rape, incest or other sexual assault; or (iv) women
are presented as sexual objects tied up, cut up or mutilated or bruised
or physically hurt; or (v) women are presented in postures or positions
of sexual submission, servility, or display; or (vi) women's body parts
— including but not limited to vaginas, breasts, or buttocks — are
exhibited such that women are reduced to those parts; or (vii) women
are presented being penetrated by objects or animals; or (viii) women
are presented in scenarios of degradation, humiliation, injury, torture,
shown as filthy or inferior, bleeding, bruised, or hurt in a context that
makes these conditions sexual. (MacKinnon 1987:176.)
• Dworkin and MacKinnon allow that sexually explicit material that
ALSO treats men, children in sexually dehumanising or subordinating
ways also counts as pornography.
18

19. Looking at the consumption of porn
(mostly men and who it is targeted to)
• The consumption of sexually explicit material has
often been thought to be harmful to its (mostly
male) consumers: for example, by corrupting
their morals or by making them less likely to be
able to have long-term, loving sexual
relationships.
• The creation of porn is geared towards meeting
the consumption needs of those who demand it
or what is deemed as being demanded, and what
is pushed to be demanded.
19

20. Categories of porn/meeting
consumption needs
• The two main distinctions of pornography are
between softcore and hardcore pornography,
while hardcore works may include softcore
content, but not the other way round.
• Softcore pornography generally depicts naked or
partially clothed women and/or men in sexually
suggestive situations but excludes explicit sexual
activity and sexual penetration.
• Hardcore pornography depicts graphic sexual
acts and visible penetration. Most of the genres
in this list are of hardcore pornography.
20

21. Categories and sub-categories
• Traditionally, pornographic movies are created for the
pleasure of male viewers rather than females. A typical
porn film would consist of a voluptuous female
performer, whom the camera would have the majority
of focus on. She would be joined by a male partner
who would traditionally have no explicitly striking
features other than a large penis. However, given the
increase in female viewers over time, there has been a
recent increase in efforts to sexualize male performers
also. New features such as men with smaller penises,
charming facial features and well-built bodies are
becoming predominant within the porn scene.
• NB: see wikipedia list of categories for porn.
21

22. The language of pornography
• The language is also more direct, forceful and
using common and expletive terms for genitalia.
Scenes are short leading quickly to the act of sex.
In many cases, language used in porn focuses on
the body parts and the action required. F...that
puss..../ let me feel that cocky....etc.
• The language is often violent and/or aggressive
and reduces both men and men to objects,
cultural others and disembodied sexual body
parts.
22

23. The language of porn
23

24. The language of porn
24

25. The language of porn continued
25

26. The
language
of porn
26

27. Language of porn continued
27

28. Why is porn problematic continued?
• According to MacKinnon....”pornography
sexualises rape, battery, sexual harassment,
prostitution and child sexual abuse, it thereby
celebrates, promotes, authorizes and legitimises
them." (MacKinnon 1987:171-72).
• By authorizing and legitimating the subjection of
women, pornography makes the very real harm
of women's subordination invisible as harm:
rape, harassment and other forms of oppression
come to be seen simply as sex. *********
28

29. Images
29

30. Why is porn problematic?
• It can be viewed as a sort of false advertising about human
sexuality.
• It sexualises gender inequality -- Pornography both expresses
the view that women exist primarily as objects for men's
sexual gratification-that they are men's sexual slaves, and
that men should hump, pump, grind and have long, large and
sustainable penises as weapons. It propagates this view, by
conditioning consumers to regard women's subordination and
men’s domination as a sexy, natural and legitimate feature of
normal heterosexual relations.
• It degrades people of various cultures and ethnicities;
• It uses language that perpetuates and encourages violence
and disrespectful attitudes towards self and other.
30

31. The problematique of porn continued
• Undermines women's ability to participate as full
and equal citizens in public, as well as private,
realms.
• Pornography may contribute to women's
subordination: if not by directly causing crimes of
sexual violence, then at least by conditioning
consumers to view women as sex objects, rather
than as autonomous individuals worthy of equal
concern and respect.
31

32. The problematique continued
• ...pornography helps to form and reinforce the view
that women are sex objects, which manifests itself in
how women are perceived and treated in society and
so perpetuates women's inequality.
• Among other things, it may increase the likelihood of
sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination
against women, undermine women's credibility in
certain contexts, encourage a general expectation that
women who say ‘no’ in sexual contexts often do not
intend to refuse, and so on. ***********
32

33. Images
cont’d
33

34. what do you see?
34

35. Images continued
35

36. Images continued
36

37. The problematique and what the
research says
• A number of studies have found a positive
correlation between exposure to violent
pornographic images (for example, of rape,
bondage, molestation involving weapons and
mutilation) and positive reactions to rape and
other forms of violence against women.
• Studies suggest, among other things, that exposure
to violent pornography can significantly enhance a
subject's arousal in response to the portrayal of
rape, that exposure to films that depict sexual
violence against women can act as a stimulus for
aggressive acts against women.
37

38. What the research says continued
• ...and that prolonged exposure to degrading
pornography (of a violent or non-violent sort) leads to
increased callousness towards victims of sexual
violence, a greater acceptance of ‘rape-myths' (for
example, that women enjoy rape and do not mean no
when they say ‘no’), a greater likelihood of having
rape-fantasies, and a greater likelihood of reporting
that one would rape women or force women into
unwanted sex acts if there was no chance of being
caught.
– Donnerstein, E., Linz, D. and Penrod, S., 1987, The Question of Pornography: Research
Findings and Policy Implications, New York: Free Press; London: Collier Macmillan.
– Dwyer, S. (ed.), 1995, The Problem of Pornography, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
– Cornell, D. (ed.), 2000, Feminism and Pornography, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
38

39. What the research says.....(3)
• The literature suggests a number of negative effects of
frequent and long-term exposure to this material.
First, it leads to more liberal sexual attitudes and
greater belief that peers’ are sexually active, which
increases the likelihood of first intercourse at an early
age (Flood, 2007).
• Second, adolescents exposed to sexual behaviours
outside cultural norms may develop a distorted view
of sex as unrelated to love affection and intimacy, and
a desire for emotionally uncommitted sexual
involvement (Byrne & Osland, 2000).
• Third, youth exposed to pornography may develop
attitudes supportive of ‘‘rape myth’’, which ascribe
responsibility for sexual assault to the female victim
(Flood, 2007; Seto, Maric, & Barbaree, 2001). 39

40. What the research says (4)
• Pornographic use was associated with demographic
characteristics such as gender and socioeconomic status;
men and low income individuals were more likely to
consume pornography than women and middle class
individuals.
• Adolescents who report low commitment to parents and
family will be more likely to use the Internet to search for X-
rated material, and less likely to use this technology for
learning skills, seeking information, and communication
purposes.
• Adolescents who report low attachment to school are more
likely to be involved in frequent search for pornographic
material and less likely to use the technology for learning
skills, information search, and communication.
40

41. Research continued
• a much higher percentage of females expressed
negative attitudes, and reported less exposure to,
pornographic content on the Internet than males
(Troeen, Spitznogle, & Beverfjord, 2002).
• Differential socialization to gender roles often
implies a sexual double standard, whereby sexual
interest expressed by men is evaluated positively
and by women negatively (Marks & Fraley, 2005).
41

42. Porn, the internet and youth
vulnerability (2)
• Internet allows for easier distribution, and consumption of
pornography.
• The Internet adult industry 1263 cities with more permissive
standards such as Los Angeles and Amsterdam.
• Distribution and consumption of adult materials have likewise been
prohibited, policed, and pushed to the margins of cities and society.
The digitization of its product and the creation of new distribution
channels have greatly altered this geography. The transfer of
pornographic images can now be accomplished on fiber optic cables
over the highly decentralized and largely unregulated network of the
Internet.
• Consumption of these materials no longer necessitates a trip to a
video or book store but can be done with the click of a mouse.
• The industry is greatly aided by the digital nature of its products
which can easily bypass logistical and regulatory barriers
42

43. Porn, the internet and youth
vulnerability (3)
• The internet offers a criteria of communication
hitherto nonexistent that the pornographic industry
thrives on:
– the capacity to send, receive and move/control data and
images instantaneously;
– interactivity with computing and broadcasting functions,
– mobility, that is, freedom from the constraints of location;
– unlimited domestic and global reach;
– a high level of user control and flexibility; and
– in general, anything which creates new human
communication and information exchange possibilities
– which are not available through a "plain old telephone
service" (POTS).
43

44. Porn, the internet and youth vulnerability (4)
• few barriers to the creation and maintenance of simple adult
websites, making it relatively easy for individuals in any
location to reach the majority of Internet users.
• the Internet adult industry provides a “profitable” linkage
between areas with high poverty and few prospects. (lower
paid models and actors and more websites created). (in the
Caribbean – Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas and Jamaica)
• the anonymity of the Internet provides an easy avenue to
pornography in localities that have outlawed or heavily
regulate it and allows people to avoid the potential social
stigma of visiting an adult bookstore or DVD/VIDEO store.
• The quantity of and access to pornography has grown
xponentially since the 1980s along side the growth of the
video cassette/DVD and then the internet industries27 while
the content has become increasingly more violent, degrading,
and harmful to participants and viewers 44

45. Porn, internet and youth
vulnerability(5)
• The Internet has been portrayed as conducive to deviant behaviour
because of its use in isolation from others, as opposed to
consumption of other media, which is in the presence and even
with the collaboration with others.
• Pornography drives the demand in International Sex Trafficking and
the internet and communication technology facilitates it much
more
• The relative anonymity of the medium may promote activities that
an individual does not usually engage in when he/she is part of a
group, where members tend to conform to culturally accepted
behaviour.
• Because the internet is a place where legitimate business is
conducted alongside illegal trade, it has the ability to confuse a user
about the legality of certain activities or products that can be
purchased or obtained.
45

46. Porn, internet and youth
vulnerability(6)
46
• Internet based businesses that promote any illegal or
illicit sexual activity contribute to the confusion of
teens who may decide to initiate such activity or be
less likely to resist adult pressure to participate even
when they really don’t want to engage in sexual
activity.
• For students and teens, however, who have a history or
abuse and live in stressful and chaotic environments
where money is often earned through criminal or illicit
activity, the Web represents even greater danger—it
can provide validation and support to a teen who is
already struggling or pressured to engage in sex for
money.

47. Statistics and youth vulnerability (in
the USA)
47
child sexual exploitation have risen from 4,573 in 1998 to 112,083
in 2004

48. Internet statistics on porn (2)
48

49. Statistics continued
• there were 1.3 million pornographic websites; 260 million pages (N2H2, 2003).
• The total porn industry revenue for 2006: $13.3 billion in the United States; $97
billion worldwide (Internet Filter Review).
• Unique worldwide users visiting adult web sites monthly: 72 million (Internet
Filter Review).
• Number of hardcore pornography titles released in 2005 (U.S.): 13,588 (Internet
Filter Review).
• Adults admitting to Internet sexual addiction: 10%; 28% of those are women
(Internet Filter Review).
• More than 70% of men from 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site in a typical month
(comScore Media Metrix).
• More than 20,000 images of child pornography posted online every week
(National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 10/8/03).
• Approximately 20% of all Internet pornography involves children (National
Center for Mission & Exploited Children).
• 100,000 websites offer illegal child pornography (U.S. Customs Service
estimate).
• In 2005, child pornography was a $3 billion annual industry (Internet Filter
Review). 49

50. Statistics for the USA continued
• Average age of first Internet exposure to pornography: 11
years old (Internet Filter Review).
• Largest consumer of Internet pornography: 12 - 17 year-old
age group (various sources, 2007).
• Adult industry says traffic is 20-30% children (NRC Report
2002, 3.3).
• 1 in 7 children who use the internet have been sexually
solicated - 2005. (Internet Filter Review)
• 76% of victims in Net-initiated sexual exploitation cases
were 13-15, 75% were girls.
• "Most cases progressed to sexual encounters" - 93% of the
face-to-face meetings involved illegal sex (Journal of
Adolescent Health, November 2004).
50

51. Child prostitution in Jamaica and
vulnerability to formal pornography
• Categories of Child Sex Workers – street children and working
children. small boys, between the ages of 6 and 17 years. Some
who were involved in sex work were as young as 12 years old.
• Most were from very poor backgrounds and were out of school,
although a few attended school irregularly. Lack of support and
protection from family or friends, as well as extreme economic
deprivation, made them open to exploitation and abuse. Their
main clients were adult homosexual males and, to a lesser extent,
female prostitutes. Inability to meet their basic needs made these
children desperate and often reduced their ability to bargain with
‘clients’.
• There were several cases reported of boys engaging in sexual
intercourse in exchange for a basic meal of a patty and box drink.
Jamaica's strong homophobic culture also means that boys
involved in homosexual relations are more invisible and therefore
less accessible for rehabilitation and support. 51

52. Does child pornography exist in
Jamaica? Yes /no...but
• Children involved in formal prostitution comprised the
second category of child sex workers who are not street
children. The majority of these were girls, but boys were
also involved, primarily in homosexual relations.
• Some girls worked in the traditional prostitution sector,
operating from established or informal brothels, while
others worked from bars, massage parlours or go-go clubs.
• A few girls estimated to be as young as 10 and 11 years
were found working as prostitutes in tourist areas.
• BUT......Internet usage and access in Jamaica is approx. 78%
of the total population 14-65.
52

53. But....
• There has been an increase in the circulation of pornographic
recordings - whether by cellphone or email - showing persons,
particularly schoolchildren, having sex.
• In 2008, an video surfaced depicting two students at a Jamaican
high school engaged in a sexual act. The amateur video, which
appears to have been recorded with a cellphone by another
student, had been circulating via the Internet for several weeks.
• The Gleaner first reported the seriousness of the problem in 2006
after a video, featuring a group of boys sexually assaulting a young
schoolgirl under the supervision of a church deacon, was brought to
the newspaper's attention.
• The current patterns in dancehall tend towards sexual explictness
and HARDCORE sex. Vybz kartel, Spice, Pamputay etc. ; and the
concurrent influence this has on the youth, normalizes the greater
possibilities of porn and child porn.
53

54. Child pornography act 2009
• The legislation makes commercial sexual exploitation of children a criminal offence
and will apply to the production, possession, importation, exportation and
distribution of child pornography.
• Penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment and fines as high as J$500,000 (US$5,622)
are included in the legislation. Jamaica currently had no law which specifically
treats with or recognises child pornography as a distinct criminal offence.
• The offences dealt with in the Bill include: visual presentations with children
engaged in sexual activities; audio recordings or written material that has, as its
dominant characteristic, the de scription, presentation or representation, for a
sexual purpose, sexual activity with a child; and any visual representation, audio
recording or written material that advocates or counsels sexual activity with a child.
• Thus the new act now covers the new digital environment and use of the internet.
54

55. References
• Dunn, Leith, Child Prostitution In Jamaica, ILO Rapid Assessment.
• Guinn, David E.,”Pornography, Prostitution and International Sex Trafficking:
Mapping the Terrain” (February 16, 2006). Available at SSRN:
http://ssrn.com/abstract=885389.
• Gustavo S. Mesch, “Social bonds and Internet pornographic exposure among
adolescents”. Journal of Adolescence 32 (2009) 601e618.
• McKee, Alan. “Positive and negative effects of pornography as attributed by
consumers”, Australian Journal of Communication 34(1):pp. 87-104. (2007)
• Ropelato, Jerry , Internet Pornography Statistics. http://internet-filter-
review.toptenreviews.com/internet-pornography-statistics.html
• Zook, Matthew A. Underground globalization: mapping the space of flows of the
internet adult industry. Journal of Environment and planning, 2003, volume 24.
• West, Caroline, “Pornography and Censorship", The Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy (Winter 2003 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL =
<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2003/entries/davidson/>.
55