Pornification
“Sexualisation” has become a much-debated issue in recent years, and a noticeable feature is the assumption that feminists who oppose sexual objectification are generating a “moral panic”. Ever since sociologist Stanley Cohen introduced the term in 1972 it has been used as a shorthand way of critiquing conservatives for inventing another “problem” in order to demonise a group that challenges traditional moral standards.
So apparently feminists are now the conservatives fomenting unnecessary panic about the proliferation of “sexualised” images while the corporate-controlled media industry that mass produces these images is the progressive force for change being unfairly demonised. What a strange turn of events.
To suggest feminists who oppose the pornification of society are stirring up a moral panic is to confuse a politically…
Michael Anderson:
Good article….hits a lot of the right points. Glad it’s starting to go a bit mainstream with the Guardian. Sadly, the reader comments below it are revealing, too—revealing of ignorance of the personal-is-political argument.
5 December 2011, 8:29 pmm.c.:
There’s a stereotype of the typical? U.K. male(The Cheeky Chappie), who wants his Pint, his Smoke, his Sports Betting Page, and his tabloid turned to Page 3(the one with the scantily clad females.) It’s kind of like Redneck here in the U.S. Mostly unfair but sometimes accurate in its depiction of male chauvinism.
5 December 2011, 9:51 pmHenry:
Superlative long interview with Chris Hedges. Just an outstanding human being. His views on the porn industry at the 2hr 9 minute mark. But the entire interview is more than worth it.
4 January 2012, 2:07 amMichael Anderson:
Was cruising around Eugene, OR yesterday, and there is an Adult Shop @ a prominent intersection there. The marquee read “Military Discount.” ‘Nuff said…
13 January 2012, 1:08 pmm.c.:
I forgot the Lottery Ticket. Remmember in A Civil Action(1999) when the William H. Macy character is buying lottery tickets to get them out of financial trouble? There has to be some link with hopelessness/helplessness and hoping to win the Lotto….
8 February 2012, 10:22 am