Pornography Threatens Healthy Sexuality

Theodore Lessman

General Purpose: To persuade

Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to consider pornography as a threat to a healthy

understanding of sexuality.

Central idea: The sex industry’s influence on society threatens how we perceive body image, gender
identity and relationships.

Introduction

I. Attention Material
A. In our society, what are some relationships where one person has authority over
another? (Take down 3-5 suggestions from class.)
B. Every relationship with one figure of authority like these, has been depicted in
pornography. [Jenson, Robert (UT Austin) Pornography and Sexual Violence Report,
2004]
II. Orienting Material
A. Consumers are affected by the sex industry regardless of whether they watch
pornography or not.
B. My girlfriend is a Licensed Professional Counsellor who worked several years
treating both adult and juvenile sex offenders.
1. Her occupation greatly influenced my interest in this topic.
2. Obviously being a man in today’s society has influenced me as well.
3. It is important to be aware.
C. The sex industries influence on society threatens how we perceive body image,
gender identity.
D. Pornography has evolved from the Post-World War Two era pin up girls into an
estimated as of 2006 $96 billion industry. [Dines, Gail (Author and Feminist Activist)
Pornland, 2010] “Gonzo” porn, is a relatively new segment, which is low budget,
mass quantity (think YouTube) that tends to push the edge of obscene.

Since Playboy’s first issue 60 years ago, the way women have been portrayed has changed
drastically.

Main Body

I. Body
A. It may go without saying, but it is important to note that as media has grown into
the digital age, women who are in the spotlight – the models, actresses, and
socialites – are getting more exotic, thus alienating even more the look of the
majority of women. [Dines]
 B. Reed Johnson, an LA Times columnist is quoted stating that “Fashion is also taking
more aesthetic cues from porn, including the growing popularity of genital piercing
and shaving, which was popularized by adult film actors.” [Johnson, Reed (LA Times)
article “Porn stars are the new crossover artists”, 2008]
1. “Teen Porn” (or rather “Pseudo-child porn”) has become widely popular
a) In 2006 “teen porn” and “teen sex” had over 20 million searches
b) PCP depicts performers playing either children having sex with each
other, or often a role model such as a teacher or parent.
c) While all those starring in the porn are over 18, it is common to see
a small, slender performer in braces wearing children’s styled
pajamas, hugging a stuffed animal, as she is being seduced by an
“older brother”. [Dines]
2. While reasoning for shaving may vary, and it has become an accepted
practice, there is no denying that completely shaved pubic areas give a
“child-like” image.
C. Women are not the only victims when it comes to body image, as men are also
stereotyped as ripped and well endowed

It doesn’t stop there.

II. Pornography also pushes long eschewed gender expectations into society
A. For men, this is seen as forceful, un-empathetic and entitled.
1. Men are often depicted paying girls cash to either display themselves or
perform sexual acts.
2. Gonzo often depicts acts such as “gagging”, where oral acts are forced to
the extent where the performer chokes or even vomits. [Dines]
3. Verbal abuse or even portrayals of rape are not uncommon.
B. Women are dehumanized.
1. They are mostly portrayed as enjoying acts done to them, or demanded
from them.
2. “Any woman who does not at first realize this can be easily turned with a
little force”. [Jensen Report]
C. With few exceptions, Pornography portrays sex as a domination / subordination
relationship, with male being aggressive and female being passive. [Jenson
“Feminism and Masculinity” speech, 2010]
D. “A trend in the contemporary pornography industry is to be an increasing
intensification of [men as sexually dominant, sexually aggressive, sexually violent].”

How does this affect you?

 Conclusion

I. Summary of points
A. Pornography has played a role in shaping the hyper-sexualized imagery we see in
media and pop culture.
B. The perspectives that pornography instills of how we should behave are unhealthy,
demeaning, and abusive.
C. You can help reduce exposure and consumption of these ideologies and work to
build a healthy understanding of sexuality.
II. Clincher
A. I close with an excerpt from Johnson’s LA Times article that shows.
B. “Once largely shunned as pariahs by the entertainment industry, porn stars are
turning up with increasing regularity on shopping-mall movie screens and in prime-
time television shows, underscoring pornography's steady migration over the last
three decades from the pop-culture margins to the mainstream.”[Johnson]

Conclusion

Dines, Gail. Pornland: How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality. Boston: Beacon, 2010. Print.

Jensen, Robert. "Feminism and Masculinity." Lecture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvZee1gh3N4. Minnesota Men's

Action Network, 14 Jan. 2010. Web. 23 May 2013.

Jensen, Robert. "Pornography and Sexual Violence." Pornography and Sexual Violence - MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse.

MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse, 31 July 2004. Web. 23 May 2013.

Johnson, Reed. "Porn Stars Are the New Crossover Artists." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 03 Nov. 2008. Web. 23

May 2013.