Pornography
It is often said that pornography is in the eye of the beholder. Material that was considered pornographic a few decades years ago are considered acceptable today. These changes illustrate the shifting notions of what material constitutes pornography or obscenity.
This paper argues that while anti-pornography activists have valid concerns regarding pornography's exploitative nature, to censor pornography would be an assault on free speech and the freedom of expression. Therefore, any attempt to curtail pornography would be unconstitutional.
Currently, material that is considered "obscene" and pornographic is illegal both on the federal level and in over 40 states in the United States. Though it is difficult to create an all-inclusive definition, the United States Supreme Court has drafted three general criteria to determine whether a work or material could be considered pornographic. First, the work must meet the "average person" test. This states that an average person, applying the prevailing community standards, must find that the work as a whole appeals solely to the prurient interests. Second, the work itself should depict sexual behavior in a way that is "patently offensive." Finally, the said work must lack any other serious aesthetic or scientific value (Wein).
Arguments against pornography
These criteria are necessarily vague and therefore open to wide interpretation. As a result, society has been largely divided on the issue of what constitutes pornography. Furthermore, society is also divided on how to address any problems raised by pornography. On one side, activists argue that pornography is a great corruptor of values,...
Pornography & Children There is considerable research evidence that pornography, especially child pornography, results in adversely affecting the psychological development of children, with far reaching consequences in terms of their ability to function well as adults. Since children are the future of any society, it is critical that adequate measures be taken to ensure the healthy and well-rounded development of children in order that they grow up to be productive, humane
This is what creates confusion in the minds of young and vulnerable people." (p. 1) Concerning this vulnerability, our research suggests that upon entering an adolescent age, individuals who are not yet emotionally or intellectually prepared for the responsibilities of sexual engagement are yet beginning to experience emotions hinting at this impulse. Schwartz warns that encounters with explicit and potentially deviant materials such as those which may incorporate violence, exploitation,
Sociologist Darryl Hall (2009) notes that the symbolic interactionism view of sexual deviance (which can relate to the issue of porn and sexual deviance) is as follows: "Symbolic interactionists suggest that the need of men to validate their sexual prowess or reaffirm their masculinity is an important factor in their seeking out pornography or prostitues" (p. 2). Such a notion can explain the rising level of sexually deviant crime in
Pornography, Women, And the Digital Revolution Digital technologies have gone through a revolutionary period of development over the past twenty or so years. Some say that the digital revolution is helping to facilitate participatory democracy; some say it will "sweep aside the gatekeepers, allowing free expression and broad access to information"; but on the other hand this revolution has the potential to corrupt innocent children by exposing them to "video game
Pornography, Women, And the Digital Revolution Important questions to address with reference to the revolutionary period of development that digital technologies have gone through include: is this revolution helping to facilitate participatory democracy; does it have a corrupting influence on children by exposing them to the violence that video games promote; and does it open the doors too widely to free pornography and cybersex that tempt adults wishing for some ethically
Detrimental Effects of Pornography on Society Pornography is defined as written, graphic, or other forms of communication intended to excite lascivious feelings. However, this definition is very subjective as a person must decide what is considered pornographic to themselves. The issue of the benefits and disadvantages of pornography is hotly debated. Advocates of the pornography industry claim that pornography is educational and may enhance one's sexual relations. However, this argument is
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