With the consistent stream of social justice in the form of cancel culture knocking at men’s backdoors, I think it is time we recognize an overlooked luxury that may be doing more harm than good. I am unsure if we are moving towards a more progressive society, or if by cushioning every sharp corner that we are going backwards. I am not necessarily suggesting a prohibition of porno but nevertheless, the porn industry is an unregulated black hole that maybe should be reconsidered or at least better understood. I would argue that the industry was initially designed for men with magazines like Playboy. I would hope that 50 years later society might value women to a higher degree than degrading them to exploit their bodies for masturbation, however, the opposite appears to be true in this respect. Playboy and pornographic material validated women’s value based on their appearance in society. I am not suggesting that in other industries there haven’t been strides in alternative directions concerning women’s rights, but the two are not mutually exclusive.
Everybody can enjoy porn. However, this is done at the expense of young (and older) women and men. It is not a victimless crime. The internet is still like the wild west, and there are repercussions for people doing illegal activities (such as videos of teenagers brutally murdering a kitten) but for some reason, prostitution is validated by the act of filming it. Porn takes advantage of men and women to ensure embarrassment, confusing emotions, and assurance of fewer job opportunities. Individuals who engage in filming their bodies for payment (or fun) don’t need to necessarily put it on their resume, but to be consistently running away from mistakes made before they can drink is a high price to pay for someone twice their age ejaculating to and then symbolically throwing out as they clear their browser history. And that is exactly what the porn industry does to old talent once it is used up. They throw them away.
I would assume that the majority of traffic that watches porn is men. We all have the right to do whatever we want, but nobody wants to see me, naked on camera playing with myself unless they are a pervert. Nevertheless, there seems to be an emerging industry of that very thing for young girls with companies like OnlyFans. There may be the argument that a teenage girl undressing on camera is empowering, but I don’t know why. Perhaps the idea that she can score a man with such a large member, or that she feels important because thousands of people pay to watch her undress is impressive but I think such a goal compromises a lot of other values and morals of a healthy relationship.
Regardless, sex, an intimate experience, is diminished and demoralized the second it is compromised for payment and viewership. Just think of the concept, twopeople having sex while videotaped for money. It just seems unethical when written on paper and I know I am not alone when there is a guilt that waves through us during clean up. I am not writing this because of my tiny penis but instead because of my grounded principles. I don’t hate porn and I would lie if I said that while writing this I didn’t contemplate watching some, but that is a major problem. It gives a false set of physical expectations of both sexes and should not be revered by impressional young girls and boys. I was in fifth grade the first time I masturbated to porn, and although I’ve had healthy sexual relationships since then, I don’t think that it is benign because it has altered my expectations with women. Often putting sex on a pedestal over an emotional connection.
I understand that the men masturbating are not the initial victim that most people recognize when it comes to this issue, but the content breeds an addictive, domineering, false reality on both sides of the camera. I understand that men are not the sole audience, but it feels like a very chauvinistic predatory culture designed to empower and deflate men at the same time. I am surprised that there isn’t more controversy about internet porn with movements like the #Metoo. Although the #Metoo movement strictly concerns sexual harassment but for some backward reason people identify pornography as empowering for young women. I think that it is ethical harassment and abuse since can be the same thing that Harvey Weinstein does, just on camera. It promises a brighter future for sexual favors.
Ben Bonkoske 