Image via amazon.comWhatever you may think about the contents of this book*, I will say this: it has an awesome cover.
This is a book all about why porn is bad for our culture. I've read a lot of anti-porn literature, but most of it was linked from pro-porn sources, and was not particularly well thought-out. I figured as a porn-watching feminist, I owe it to myself to at least seriously consider the negative effects of porn on people, and on our culture as a whole. He also talks about why we need to end our entire conception of masculinity, but I'd like to tackle that as a separate post.
Jensen makes quite a few claims in his book; but I'd like to tackle the overarching theme, which I at least somewhat agree with, rather than nitpick things I don't. The overall point is this: there is a lot of porn that is expressly misogynistic, and a lot of that subset is violently so. While certainly not the source of, it certainly promotes a specific (misogynistic and objectifying) view of women that is already extremely prevalent in our society. I agree with this idea, but with many caveats. First and foremost, he talks strongly against much of the dialogue, or dirty talk, that happens in much of porn. "You're a dirty little whore, aren't you? You love taking that big dick.", etc. Needless to say, this is misogynistic at a basic level. However, it is extremely important to discuss that many people like doing this with their partners with whom they are in long-term, loving relationships. Certainly there are people who will see porn that says these things about women, and will take them at face value. There are people that really do think women are just out there to get fucked, and this type of porn (which is extremely prevalent) reinforces that idea in a very visceral way. The problem arises when Jensen refuses to take into account that many people think it's hot to talk like that, or even to be rough with each other, while not meaning it in a serious way. I personally know couples that talk that way to each other, with the dominant or submissive role changing on a nightly basis. It's not about the reality in these circumstances, it's about saying dirty things to each other in bed.
Jensen makes quite a few claims in his book; but I'd like to tackle the overarching theme, which I at least somewhat agree with, rather than nitpick things I don't. The overall point is this: there is a lot of porn that is expressly misogynistic, and a lot of that subset is violently so. While certainly not the source of, it certainly promotes a specific (misogynistic and objectifying) view of women that is already extremely prevalent in our society. I agree with this idea, but with many caveats. First and foremost, he talks strongly against much of the dialogue, or dirty talk, that happens in much of porn. "You're a dirty little whore, aren't you? You love taking that big dick.", etc. Needless to say, this is misogynistic at a basic level. However, it is extremely important to discuss that many people like doing this with their partners with whom they are in long-term, loving relationships. Certainly there are people who will see porn that says these things about women, and will take them at face value. There are people that really do think women are just out there to get fucked, and this type of porn (which is extremely prevalent) reinforces that idea in a very visceral way. The problem arises when Jensen refuses to take into account that many people think it's hot to talk like that, or even to be rough with each other, while not meaning it in a serious way. I personally know couples that talk that way to each other, with the dominant or submissive role changing on a nightly basis. It's not about the reality in these circumstances, it's about saying dirty things to each other in bed.
This is just as true for physical roughness. For many people, you can not only be a little rough, but can slap, bite, claw, etc. much harder than the average person would consider to be fun. This is not only acceptable, but a really important part of many people's sexual lives and identities. The idea that a couple can't be mentally and physically denigratory to each other in the bedroom, with full consent of both parties, and have it be a fun and loving time for all, is ignorant and uninformed. It is just simply untrue.
That being said, I do know men who have less-than-equal opinions of women, and tend to objectify women in their life. Some of these men enjoy this exact time of porn, where the girls are degraded both verbally and physically. This is something that troubles me deeply. There is also a separate problem of women not necessarily enjoying exactly what they signed up for at a particular shoot, but still going through with it. Needless to say, the director is not going to cancel the shoot because the girl looks a bit hesitant: his only concern is making money. These situations are somewhat rare, and people in the industry (actors and directors alike) talk about them as an unfortunate things, but the fact is that these scenes are still released, and some people still really enjoy them.
He discusses in great detail all the possible connections of ways porn may lead to sexual violence against women. It was by far the most comprehensive, impressive gathering of information on the topic. However, he readily admits that it is very difficult to judge most of these things, and he is quick to dismiss studies that say anything other than his point of view. After seeing the most convincing information I've seen to this end, I remain unconvinced. At worst, I think porn is one of countless other ways men are taught to objectify women in our society. It is not the first, not the last, and not the worst.
*and you, the public, have some interesting things to say about it. Amazon.com tags this book, predictably, with terms such as "gender", "sex", and "feminism". However, also among the top tags are "utter garbage" and "one of the most intellectually dishonest writs of our time". Who knew that was even an option?
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