I’ve talked a little about my own opinions/preferences when it comes to porn here, but just now I stumbled over a link to an interesting post, which manages to formulate some of the reasons why porn can definitely be problematic for feminists – and not the completely anti-porn feminist, but women like me. Does the Porn Industry Suck, by Megan Milanese:
While there is plenty within the porn industry that needs some serious feminist help, not all of the porn industry sucks. Throughout the years, it has gotten better and it continues to improve the more feminists work through various issues within it. As of right now, there is feminist pornography available and feminist pornographers are really pushing boundaries and making changes within the field. I’m incredibly happy about that, because I don’t think that porn is inherently anti-feminist or anti-woman. I just happen to think that porn as it stands right now reflects the patriarchal culture in which we grow up and operate. However, in conjunction with the nature of porn, it is reflected and magnified. So, it’s not only reflected back into the culture, it’s reflected back into the culture with more intensity than it may have been put in. This not only perpetuates but exacerbates the problem.
After this, the text continues on to explain some of these problems, showing why it’s important to not consume porn blindly but to reflect on what it says about our culture.
In other news, I re-watched Erika Lust‘s “The Good Girl” last night, and it still stands out as one of my favorites, despite some issues. I especially like that there’s laughter, and a focus on the woman’s experience and pleasure – even if there’s still a cum facial, at least it’s done very tongue in cheek.
