What Is The Harm In Violent Pornography? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

What Is The Harm In Violent Pornography?

You probably never thought you'd find yourself agreeing with Ted Bundy, but here we are...

727
What Is The Harm In Violent Pornography?
pexels.com, Math


You’re in a prison in Starke, Florida, sitting across from Ted Bundy, noted serial killer, rapist, and necrophile. This man, who has just confessed to more than 30 homicides, gets weepy-eyed as he tells you “most damaging kinds of pornography are those that involve sexual violence . . . The wedding of those two forces, as I know only too well, brings about behavior that is just, just too terrible to describe." The two forces that Bundy described are that of sex; Eros, human nature, and its terrible juxtaposition with the horrors of violence.

When you think of a child trying to convince their mother to purchase them a video game that is rated as “mature” or “explicit” for “graphic depictions of violence”, many people will agree that the child should not be exposed to the gore the game may contain- yet an abundance of equally violent or even more violent pornography is readily available on the internet for anyone to view, regardless of age.


A GREATER NEED

People need to stop viewing violent pornography in order to protect their loved ones, the image of femininity and preserve the positive truths about sex and human nature. Jane Gaines, professor at the University of Columbia School of the Arts and author of multiple notable books on film and violence, points out that pornography constantly invites the viewer to treat it not as an image, but a real scenario whose outcome is to be immediately replicated, asserting “pornography requires the breach of real world/fantasy world separation, asking its viewer to ‘really’ come.” Hence, violent pornography invites the viewer to do the same: be erotically satisfied at the sight of violent acts. The blurring lines between real life and fantasy that pornography welcomes and invites the fear in us that users may learn from pornography and “thus cause physical harm to others in the pursuit of sexual satisfaction.”

The proliferation of violent pornography, even in an estimate, is staggering in size and increases due to the growing demand for it. While most frequently estimates suggest that pornography makes up around 40% of the internet, more recent studies have shown that it is more likely to make up 90% of all space on the internet. Statistically speaking, the amount of violent pornography must increase at a similar rate to the amount of pornography available.


SO WHAT?

Women of the world would benefit from the decreased use of violent pornography. As of right now, pornography consumption is highly privatized in a space that is owned and controlled by men and designed not to make women feel comfortable, but more often than not, terrified. While more and more pornography that makes women feel comfortable may be readily available, violent pornography depicting the abuse of women is much more common and has been around for much longer. While pornography use is often viewed as a form of sexual liberation, as the female body, a symbol of the power of nature, is repeatedly abused and destroyed in erotica,violent pornography reveals itself not to be any sort of liberation but the exact opposite: a representation of fear for that stated power.


CA$H MONEY

Consumers of pornography would benefit from knowing the truth about where all the money involved in the industry goes to. Pornography is one of the most lucrative industries in the world, raking in over ten billion dollars each year, and is produced by well-known companies, such as General Motors, AT&T, and even Time Warner. Despite being so lucrative and pervasive, those who usually benefit from the consumption of pornography are of a small demographic: heterosexual men are catered to in this industry far more than anyone else.

These large companies that seem to dapple in nearly everything still retain the rights and liberties that big businesses are wont to defend, and the goodness of the wealth maintained by the production of pornography trickles down to nearly no one.


WHAT IF…?

It's basic economics, people!

If the demand for violent pornography falls, the production of such harmful images will also fall, and hence the supply of it. The addictive properties of pornography would be combatted greatly and many would find themselves able to carry on with their lives and become productive in other ways. Consider this:

The less time you spend watching violent pornography, the more likely you are to actually enter into a meaningful relationship with more benefits than simple sexual satisfaction.

Logically, the number of violent crimes that are replications of pornography would decrease as well.

Women could feel much safer in their daily activities knowing that the fetishization of their brutal rapes and murders was largely dispelled, and could live with a new sense of peace they had not experienced since being ignorant to the notion of pornography in its entirety. Since not only women are the victims of violent porn, anyone could benefit from the secure feeling of knowing that violent pornography aimed towards their demographic had become socially unacceptable instead of being treated as some odd sort of sexual liberation.


THE BOTTOM LINE:

In order to make the women, children, transgender, ethnic, and other victims of violent pornography feel more secure, as they are entitled to be even in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we must fight against the proliferation of violent pornography by boycotting it.

By discontinuing the consumption, use, and viewing of violent pornography you are not only ensuring that the world becomes a safer place, but giving yourself more time to pursue matters of greater importance, and combatting the revenues raked in by big business that benefits few but those who are already billionaires.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less
man working on a laptop
Pexels

There is nothing quite like family.

Family is kinda like that one ex that you always find yourself running back to (except without all the regret and the angsty breakup texts that come along with it).

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Things You Think About During Class

Some of your best ideas come through boredom.

1110
bored kid
Google Images

No matter how long your class is, there's always time for the mind to wander. Much like taking a shower or trying to fall asleep, sitting in a classroom can be a time when you get some of your best ideas. But, more than likely, you're probably just trying to mentally cope with listening to a boring lecturer drone on and on. Perhaps some of the following Aristotle-esque thoughts have popped into your head during class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Advice To Live By As Told By Bob's Burgers

The Belchers hold the key to a better life.

1472
Bob's Burgers
Adult Swim

Bob's Burgers is arguably one of the best and most well-written shows on tv today. That, and it's just plain hilarious. From Louise's crazy antics to Tina's deadpan self-confidence, whether they are planning ways to take over school or craft better burgers, the Belchers know how to have fun. They may not be anywhere close to organized or put together, but they do offer up some wise words once and awhile.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments