How Pornography Harms Women - 2144 Words

In this essay I will discuss how pornography harms women in reference to A. W. Eatons paper, A Sensible Antiporn Feminism. Eaton explains that pornography harms women by impairing their ability to pursue their interests. She does this by outlining the Harm Hypothesis, addressing and resolving issues commonly raised by critics of antiporn feminism, and then discussing the harms that are caused. I will then consider an objection raised by Cooke, and how it is unsuccessful. Antiporn feminism (here on, APF) limit their definition of pornography to inegalitarian pornography, namely sexually explicit representations that as a whole eroticise relations characterised by gender inequality† (Eaton 2007: 676). This effectively excludes genres such as gay pornography, or violent pornography (with the absence of inegalitarian representations). For the sake of this argument those genres are not considered. Firstly it is important to note the range of harms that antiporn writers address and the ones we will look at. Production harms - such as coercion and abuse in the making of pornography are not considered in this argument. Antiporn feminists focus on post production harms - specifically the harm that exposure to pornography causes. Other antiporn writers note that pornography is also harmful as hate speech however we focus only on the former harm. The harm that this argument outlines is always indirect, in a sentence the Harm Hypothesis shows that pornography shapes attitudes andShow MoreRelatedThe Pros And Cons Of Pornography887 Words   |  4 PagesMacKinnon asserts that pornography is ‘more act-like than thought-like’. In other words, it is an illocutionary act, in which the act of expression itself constitutes the intended action of silencing and subordinating women. It silences women by privileging the male perspective to such an extent that the female perspective disappears; it subordinates women by placing them in the role of a mere object to be used for the sexual satisfaction of men, thus enabling men to exert power over women. The dehumanisingRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Freedom Of Speech1007 Words   |  5 Pagesprogress. What we must therefore turn our attention to is when and how speech can be regulated, within the paradigms of freedom of speech. In this essay, I will explore if it is ever permissible to ban offensive publications that are not expressions of hate speech, and if so, when it would be permissible to do so. I will first propose that publications should be banned when they can be shown to result in harm, utilising John Stuart Mill’s ‘harm principle’. I will then move on to establish whether it isRead MoreThe Effects of Pornography1558 Words   |  7 PagesNegative Effects of Pornography on Society The opinion of most people today is that pornography is harmless and that there are no real harmful effects that result from it. The truth is, we all can be affected by pornography, and the sexual messages our society is exposed to. Pornography and the messages it conveys have a direct effect in shaping attitudes and encouraging behavior that can harm, not only individuals who view it but also their families as well. Pornography is often viewed in secretRead MoreThe Ethical And Morality Of Pornography916 Words   |  4 Pagesarguments about the ethical and morality of pornography. pornography is defined as the depiction of erotic behavior intended to cause sexual excitement. When it coms down to pornography, people have different opinions about it. Some people might find it moral because it gives them pleasure and it satisfies them physically. some individuals see it as a form of art that describes the figure of a human body in an artistic form. Others see it as immoral because i t harms and degrades an individual. PersonallyRead MoreThe Censorship of Pornography1581 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Censorship of Pornography: Censorship is vital and takes place on a daily basis in the modern society even in nations that state their respect and maintenance of the freedom of speech. For instance, there are several regulations that restrict broadcasters in the kind of programmes to be transmitted as specific times of the day. The other ways with which censorship happens every day is through the laws that forbid people from expressing themselves publicly toward particular political or ethnicRead MoreViolent Pornography Is An Example Of Illegal Pornography942 Words   |  4 Pages There are three types of pornography. There is soft core, hardcore and illegal. Violent pornography is an example of illegal pornography. Violent pornography is defined as sexually explicit material that contains consensual, coercive and violent sexual actions portrayed by men and women. It is morally right for people to sell and use violent and degrading pornography. People should be able to allowed to view violent pornography in privately. It is not affecting other people if the person prefersRead MoreEssay on The Pornography Debate809 Words   |  4 PagesThe Pornography Debate Pornography has been the topic of discussion in the court systems for years. Many would like to see legislation against it and software to filter it. The problem is its not that easy and making laws against it would pose a problem against the first amendment. There have many issues brought up on the grounds that it is demoralizing to women and is filth for the eyes of children. But, is pornography really that harmful? There are many reasons why the government is havingRead MorePornography : Men Possessing Women1614 Words   |  7 PagesIn 1981 Andrea Dworkin, a radical feminist, a supporter of the anti-pornography movement, and writer, released Pornography: Men Possessing Women, later referred to here as MPW. In her book, Dworkin delivers an extensive and emotionally-charged critique of pornography as an industry that profits from the perpetuation of harm against women, analyzing examples of both historical and contemporary pornography to make her case. Key to this analysis is the declaration of male power. According to DworkinRead MoreThe Reasons For And Against Making Pornography Illegal1560 Words   |  7 PagesShannon Levy†¨Phil2630 MWF- 11:15-12:05†¨Ã¢â‚¬Å"Weigh the reasons for and against making pornography illegal.† â€Å"The only thing pornography is known to cause directly is the solitary act of masturbation. As for corruption, the only immediate victim is english prose† - Gore Vidal. There are many reasons for or against the ban on pornography, some argue that porn is addictive, creates unrealistic expectations of sex and additionally may lead to a more demoralizing or violent nature towards woman. On theRead MoreEssay about Why Pornography Shouldnt Be Banned1218 Words   |  5 PagesWhy Pornography Should Not Be Banned It seems to me there are two ways of defending pornography. The first is pornography does not harm anyone, and so it should not be banned. The second is pornography cant accurately be identified between what pornography is and what its not. With these two main points I will prove pornography should not be banned. Pornography does not harm anyone. In mainstream pornography, all parties are willing participants. The women who