Our group and classmates agreed that the portrayal of sexuality is becoming a significant issue within Western society. Both men and women are highly sexualized in magazines, movies, and advertisements. Unfortunately, this gives messages to individuals on how they should look and act for the opposite sex.
The adult entertainment industry is an extremely successful business as it generates $13 billion/ year in the United States. In addition, internet porn produces $3 billion/ year. This information was found in Covenant Eyes: Pornography Statistics, 2013.
For my group's presentation and paper, we argued that sexuality in pornography reinforces gender stereotypes through society's norms. During our presentation, we asked a series of questions following the trailer for the documentary After Porn Ends. The documentary is available online, but signing into YouTube is required as it contains restricting contact. This is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ-R-QIg0ZA. The trailer to the documentary can be found below, but does not require a sign-in to view the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5lSmDWk24
To begin our presentation, we asked the class to provide a definition for pornography. The class defined porn as the sexual act that has been documented for other individuals to use as sexual stimulation. The class also pointed out that the pornography industry has become more acceptable in today's society because society is over sexualized. When analyzing the reasons why people go into this kind of career in the first place, many explanations were provided from the film. Some individuals are just not suited for 9-5 work. The one woman from the film explained that she cannot work all day everyday in an office setting because she hardly sees her young daughter. Therefore, she chose to do porn, where her hours are more suited to her personal needs and the flexible hours provided more time she can spend with her family. With that being said, a large percentage of men and women choose porn for financial reasons. It's easier and faster to make decent money, which allows individuals to get out of debt or purchase a house if they are homeless. Who are we to judge a person when we do not know what it is like to live on the streets? Or need money bad enough to do anything for it? How is it right to call someone irresponsible for making money to provide for their children and support their family in the best way they think they can?
Pornography can be a frustrating topic to discuss because of the varying views, but in my opinion I believe individuals should be given a second chance to lead a normal life after porn. I don't think people should be judged based on the things they did in their past, as long as the career they decide to do following porn does not cause harm to those involved. For example, if a person wants to become a teacher after leaving the pornography industry, at first I would be skeptical. After acknowledging the individual's ability to be responsible, mature, a good role model, etc. I wouldn't have a problem with my child being in their class. Side note: This does NOT matter if the teacher is a male or female, I would still feel the same way. I will always have a concern for my child/ children because when at school, I am trusting their life in the hands of someone else.
To conclude, even though there is a gender divide between men and women in the porn business, it doesn't make sense for people to judge individuals in this industry, as society continues to create the demand for pornography. Where there is demand, there will be supply.
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