Pornography

     With the advance in technology, the amount of pornographic materials has increased over the year, not solely by quantity but also types of pornographic material, from stagnant pictures to animated videos of pornography. No doubt the migration of pornography to online platforms also increases its accessibility. Pornography has already evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry with more and more people being exposed to such materials. The question now is whether we should exercise censorship over such materials?

      Well what is pornography, one may ask. Pornography is defined as a creative activity (writing or pictures or films etc.) to stimulate sexual desire. Interesting to note how pornography is classified as a “creative activity”. It does in a sense promote creativity, one way or another, but the topic today is whether this creative activity should be barred due to many various reasons. 

      Both the articles given provide two very contrasting but relevant view points. The first article states that pornographic materials are giving forth a negative message to its audience, lowering the social standards of women as these pornographic materials depict women as victims of rape. However, the author notes that many of these explicit materials are showing women actually want to be subjected to such raping acts. These types of male oriented attitudes should not be promoted. This is true in certain contexts I believe but certainly not all. 

      On the other hand, the second article it states that “Pornography is speech, word and pictures about sexuality,” similar to the previous definition of how its message is conveyed through writing pictures or even films. It also states that pornography should be encouraged as it reflects the sexual fantasies of many. Furthermore it is said to be a depiction of sexual experimentation, also linked to the previous provided definition of pornography being a creative activity. Thus I do agree with the second abstract as it clearly gives the definition of pornography and also shows why it should be promoted. 

      However, some may argue that pornography is a method of self release, opening up a harmless alternative to the frustrated to release their bottled up tension. However, like the first passage states, misconceptions conveyed through these materials, views not only of the male being overly dominant but also women selling their body, like they really crave to be raped. Pornographic material like these indeed should be censored. 

      Furthermore, pornographic contents that suggest hostility towards the female may very likely be the root to many social problems such as increasing in crimes such as rape. If females continue to be degraded in pornographic materials, depicting females as mere objects to satisfy one’s sexual needs then our moral society may likely crumble before our very eyes. Reproducing is not the sole cause that humans exist, instead people start to abuse the gift of pleasure humans gain from having sex, this is in fact a horrifying phenomenon.  

      On the contrary, others may argue that they are merely viewing the human body in its natural state. Some people of the society who have been labelled “ugly” have no choice but to resort to such ways to satisfy their own human instinct, otherwise known to some as raging hormones within the body. These ostracised bunches of people have no chance to experience the real deal due to their social segregation and hence watching pornography is their only means of satisfying their sexual needs. 

      As you can see, pornography may likely be crucial to some members of the society but once mismanaged, pornography can cause serious damage to the society and thus I do believe that censorship should be present, but it must be carefully managed.