Sunday 04 January 2009 A defense of pornography Share This:



By Martin Green



The debate over pornography is too often dominated by conservatives and liberals; the former castigate pornography as disgusting and corrupting, the latter defend its publication with 'free speech' arguments, but are rarely prepared to defend pornography as worthwhile and socially positive. Far too often voices â€“ and there are a growing number â€“ that argue pornography/erotica is a good thing that should be defended and celebrated are not heard.



There is a major paradox here. Never has the public acceptance of and engagement with erotica been so widespread. The consumption of pornography in all its forms is massive; it is a huge industry that could not exist in its present form without millions of people worldwide being avid consumers. But among official opinion formers, especially politicians, its stock has never been so low. Many mainstream media commentators treat producers of erotica as they would drug dealers or gangsters. Pornography is an anathema in polite society, while hundreds of millions use it in private. This is 'cognitive dissonance' on a huge scale â€“ saying one thing and doing another.



Part of the reason the anti-porn charge is so powerful is the de-facto alliance between anti-porn feminism and the religious fundamentalist right. Any rational discussion of sex is very difficult in the USA and Britain, but especially difficult when taking a pro-porn position is likely to find its advocate decried as a priori perverted or â€“ even worse â€“ misogynistic. Pornography and its advocates face among the most violent and pervasive of taboos. Millions of pornography fans have their use of it as among their most personal secrets.



Fortunately the most articulate defence of pornography today often comes from women â€“ in the first place Wendy McElroy, but also Nina Hartley, Susie Bright and Violet Blue.



The liberal position on the 'right of free speech' is something that the pornography industry will shield behind, but in the end a weak line of defence. If something is fundamentally anti-social and damaging, then free of speech arguments aren't very strong and will often falter. Only by sex-positive, pro-pornography views being openly expressed and fought for will the argument, eventually, be won.



The core of the argument â€“ what is sex for?



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Printer Friendly Wendy McElroy - Sunday 04 January 2009 - 23:10:21 - Permalink Defending pornographyBy Martin GreenThe debate over pornography is too often dominated by conservatives and liberals; the former castigate pornography as disgusting and corrupting, the latter defend its publication with 'free speech' arguments, but are rarely prepared to defend pornography as worthwhile and socially positive. Far too often voices â€“ and there are a growing number â€“ that argue pornography/erotica is a good thing that should be defended and celebrated are not heard.There is a major paradox here. Never has the public acceptance of and engagement with erotica been so widespread. The consumption of pornography in all its forms is massive; it is a huge industry that could not exist in its present form without millions of people worldwide being avid consumers. But among official opinion formers, especially politicians, its stock has never been so low. Many mainstream media commentators treat producers of erotica as they would drug dealers or gangsters. Pornography is an anathema in polite society, while hundreds of millions use it in private. This is 'cognitive dissonance' on a huge scale â€“ saying one thing and doing another.Part of the reason the anti-porn charge is so powerful is the de-facto alliance between anti-porn feminism and the religious fundamentalist right. Any rational discussion of sex is very difficult in the USA and Britain, but especially difficult when taking a pro-porn position is likely to find its advocate decried as a priori perverted or â€“ even worse â€“ misogynistic. Pornography and its advocates face among the most violent and pervasive of taboos. Millions of pornography fans have their use of it as among their most personal secrets.Fortunately the most articulate defence of pornography today often comes from women â€“ in the first place Wendy McElroy, but also Nina Hartley, Susie Bright and Violet Blue.The liberal position on the 'right of free speech' is something that the pornography industry will shield behind, but in the end a weak line of defence. If something is fundamentally anti-social and damaging, then free of speech arguments aren't very strong and will often falter. Only by sex-positive, pro-pornography views being openly expressed and fought for will the argument, eventually, be won.The core of the argument â€“ what is sex for?