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Posted by: TyraniBoah Mar 18 2009, 03:36 PM

First of all, make sure all your replies are SERIOUS and MATURE. This is a serious discussion, this is an important issue.

This topic has been approved by Wymsy.

Ok, lets get to it. Does Pornography exploit Women's bodies?

I know I'm just talking about women, not men, that is because the majority of people working in the industry, are in fact women.

I believe that IT DOES NOT, Women as well as men have a choice weather or not to expose their bodies. Women who want to sign up for the industry, knowing full well that they are going to have to expose their bodies. Women KNOW that people are going to watch them.

Posted by: knil1 Mar 18 2009, 03:47 PM

It depends.
I've heard somewhere that the people from Girls Gone Wild get their girls drunk.
But I'm pretty sure that Playboy playmates are sober.

I'm guessing though that it doesn't, becase as you said, the women choose to do that. And even if they are drunk, or not, they still have some form of common sense left in them.

Posted by: Bosco Mar 18 2009, 03:58 PM

I think it depends on your perspective. I think its not exploiting the woman's bodies actually participating in the pornographic material, however I can see how a woman who is not in it may see how it might effect them (not that it does), and the way people view them.

Posted by: Nathan Graves Mar 18 2009, 05:29 PM

Well, first off, the "exploitation" is the fault of the viewer. And if women don't want to be "exploited" they shouldn't be involved in the pornography anyway, because they're in it by their own choice unless it was forced. The ones that are forced are the ones being exploited in all reality.

Posted by: LG Sings Mar 19 2009, 04:35 PM

I don't think it's so much of an exploitation... I think it's more of a negative imagery for people in a society. Then everyone wants to look the way that women are "supposed to look." In some cases that means women in pornographic materials.

Then again there's also the positive of pornography. The woman can feel like she accomplished something for a male/female who cannot find that image of a woman for their very own. The pornography is something they can have at all times, a real human woman may not be something they can have.

Posted by: johnrichard1991 Mar 19 2009, 04:43 PM

Why just women? The type of pornography I normally look at involves a naked man.

I don't think it exploits a persons body. If they're okay with being naked on camera, then I'm sure they're okay with their bodies being edited to look sexier.

As long as they're okay with it, then it's all good :]

Posted by: Nathan Graves Mar 19 2009, 04:45 PM

That's not pornography's fault. That's the idiot who's watching it.

Posted by: eagleblackbelt Mar 19 2009, 04:52 PM

I'd have to disagree. The Catholic Church teaches that it does, and I trust them. I really think that pornography is wrong and is just an easy way to get viruses on your PC.

Posted by: Flamer Mar 19 2009, 05:23 PM

Well, everyone makes choices, and if you chose to take your clothes off in front of a camera then you chose to do it. So my answer's no.

Posted by: Nathan Graves Mar 19 2009, 06:19 PM

Pornography being wrong is your choice, okay. I don't think there's any harm in asking your reasoning, though.

For the viruses part, only a dumbass that's completely mindnumb in internet security would get viruses, or go to a website that would give them said virus. Of course, I haven't looked at pornography myself to know, but I've definitely looked up enough ROM sites to know that I can easily differentiate between what will and won't give me a virus.

Posted by: Iulius Caesar Mar 20 2009, 05:10 PM

the church also teaches that same-sex marriage is immoral

To be honest, pornography doesn't exploit women (or men). The women (or men) exploit themselves because they decide to strip naked and do Act X with Person Y.

But if the site/person somewhat forces the person to do it, then it's exploiting based on the site/person.

Posted by: eagleblackbelt Mar 20 2009, 06:03 PM

Hey, I took it to be that this forum was to put our own opinions down. I put down my opinion. So what? SO did you, and I'm not yelling at you about it.

Posted by: Iulius Caesar Mar 20 2009, 07:02 PM

He wasn't yelling at you. He said it's fairly obvious to tell what's a site that will give you a virus and what's a site that won't give you a virus. He was also asking you to explain why you believe that pornography exploits women and is wrong.

Posted by: The Duke of Beaconsfield Mar 20 2009, 07:25 PM

it all depends on how you look at pornography. besides the fact that it is one of the BIGGEST money makers in the world, it gives millions of women and men jobs. some forms of pornography could be considered art, some is just considered straight on nasty smut. but in one way or another, it is still an art form. i don't think it exploits women at all-in fact, quite the opposite. not that i care.



i prefer strip clubs. A REAL MANS way of exploiting women.

Posted by: Nathan Graves Mar 20 2009, 07:28 PM

Hey, I wasn't even calling you a dumbass, buddy. Don't take it so personally.

(Yeah Archangel got it first, I have too much pride to not get my word in).


If it was something else, clarify. I see nothing wrong with my post.

Posted by: eagleblackbelt Mar 20 2009, 08:14 PM

Oops, I just saw the word dumbass and I jumped to defensive mode, sorry for overreacting. As for my explanation, true, it may give women and men jobs from around the world jobs, but then if it is really good, then why do porn stars have such a high suicide rate. They can't be happy. I mean I wouldn't be knowing that some girl is masturbating to a picture of me naked, not that I do that, but still, I'm just walking in their shoes.

Also, I just find it to be immoral. I follow by the catechism, and I believe that porn is wrong and yes, I also believe that same-sex marriage is wrong, also. Yes, I saw what you crossed out.

Posted by: SR Meganium Forme Mar 20 2009, 08:23 PM

Might be wrong, but it sure as hell is awesome.

Posted by: Nameless Ensign Mar 20 2009, 08:27 PM

Dude, knowing that, it is freaking exciting. I mean, not like I'd know, or something.... *Coughcough*
And same sex marriage... Well, that is for an entirely different topic =\

As for the art of porn being exploitative, then no, unless it is made without consent on all parties involved (I know some of you are into that stuff), in which case it is. I think we can all pretty much agree on this, considering it is not exploitation if there is consent, and the main problem you are all digging in is the morality of porn itself, which was not the original discussion.

Posted by: The Duke of Beaconsfield Mar 20 2009, 08:31 PM

well said. if you find the morality of porn wrong, gb2 christ-chan, or start a topic about how wrong you think it is.

Posted by: Nathan Graves Mar 20 2009, 08:31 PM

First off, whether or not it is good entirely depends on the one watching it.

Now.

I'm pretty sure porn stars wouldn't get into the business ignorant of the fact that there are perverts watching them. To get into that and automatically assume people will just watch it for the plot or something to that extent is probably a pretty bad thought process eh? It's not like suicide is the pornography's fault, it's probably the porn star's fault for being depressed even though they chose their own life style in the first place. Not as if pornography has something to do with it, like the statistics attempt to apply -- there exists no proof to show that pornography automatically equals suicide.

You and I obviously differ in morals.

Posted by: eagleblackbelt Mar 20 2009, 08:35 PM

Obviously. You should know about my opinion on the the same-sex stuff from my eagle scout symbol!

Posted by: Nathan Graves Mar 20 2009, 08:39 PM

Cool retort, bro.

Posted by: Commander Wymsy Mar 20 2009, 08:40 PM

If it makes you feel better, I suspected something.

---

Anyway, pornography isn't exploiting women or men. They chose to work in the industries themselves, and they are perfectly aware that thousands of people will end up seeing their naughty parts. Hardly exploitation if they chose it, if you ask me.

Posted by: Iulius Caesar Mar 20 2009, 08:56 PM

Then you should take it to the two/three topics we've got going. We need more debates here.

TQQ hit it on the head. Pornography can be seen as an art form (some sites are dedicated to artistic nudity which involves no sexual acts whatsoever). Artists paint nude models. Is that wrong?
And I also agree that strip clubs are the ultimate way to exploit people...showing themselves off while drunk idiots throw wads of cash is not cool, man, not cool.

Posted by: The Duke of Beaconsfield Mar 20 2009, 10:18 PM

heheh.

doesn't mean i am against it.

Posted by: Zerxer Mar 20 2009, 10:50 PM

Hard to exploit someone when they're the ones lining up to do it. Can you rape the willing?

As for whether pornography is wrong; why do we still see nakedness as a sin? A body is a body is a body.

I'm not a big fan of the bible or anything but doesn't it say God was angry with Adam and Eve for becoming aware and self-conscious and hiding their privates at some point? Probably got that wrong or out of context.

Posted by: Nathan Graves Mar 20 2009, 10:53 PM

I think it's more the sex and masturbatory potential than the nudity.

Posted by: Zerxer Mar 20 2009, 11:01 PM

Meh, makes no difference. People can and will masturbate to anything that turns them on. From fully clothed people to the thought of people naked to whatever crazy fetish they might have. Sex is a natural thing too so can't really act like that's a sin.. oh but then there's those people that say it's a sin if you have sex before you're married. Oh well, too much discussion there that's not really on topic here.

Posted by: The Duke of Beaconsfield Mar 20 2009, 11:54 PM

if taken literally, this topic was about pornography itself, not what people do with it, so what you said sums up what this topic should have been talked about.

good job.




in this land of internet, fetishes, and sex, you could slap some tits on a mango and somebody, somewhere, is fapping to it.

Posted by: Lestat Apr 9 2009, 06:57 PM

I agree with you tyran people know better when they go into that type of work, it only becomes a problem when women who do that are as skinny as a toothpick so everyone pressures other women to look like a tooth pick or they're not beautiful.

Posted by: Saya Apr 11 2009, 09:15 PM

Is there even a QUESTION? Of course it does. No one really seems to care, though, because they're consenting adults and they can do what they want. If you want to make yourself look like a complete tramp on the internet, more power to you.

Posted by: Daphkipz Apr 12 2009, 06:41 PM

I do not think pornography exploits the female body.

Though, it all depends on your perspective.

Sex is a natural and normal experience. These people choose to showcase it. Pornography isn't meant to target the female body specifically and purposefully make ALL women feel bad or something. These women are choosing to display their bodies. True, many pornography films focus on the woman's body, but in my opinion there are two reasons for that:

1) The female body is beautiful. Even as a female myself, I can admit that. It's just better to look at than a hairy man. (No offense, boys.)

2) Though pornography is something both genders can enjoy, the target audience is MALES. This is a business, and that business is going to stimulate who ever is going to make them the most money. And most males want to see women.


This is their career of choice. They want to be seen, which is why they do it. It's not your body, so don't feel offended.

And if you don't like it, then well... Don't watch it. Duh.

Posted by: eagleblackbelt Apr 12 2009, 07:02 PM

Hey, I'm just going off the Catholic church's teaching on this topic. I believe that it is a disgusting thing that violates the sixth commandment.

The worst part about porn is the level people take it to. I mean, look at all the amount of this stuff on the net. Plus, people take it to the aspect of child porn, and that is completely DISGUSTING AND WRONG!

Posted by: Nathan Graves Apr 12 2009, 09:20 PM

Child porn is definitely wrong, but we're not all Catholics here.

Posted by: Tachaccoon Apr 14 2009, 09:58 PM

It's not really exploting if you were the one signing up for it. :/
If you want to show you naked body in a sexy fashion, that's your profession.

Viewing porn doesn't exactly make you an idiot,
But if you take it as:
"I'M UGLY. LOOK AT THIS WOMAN GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY FOR MONEY. SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!!!1" *Cuts self*

or

"LOL PORN. OH NOES- VIRIS! OH NOES MY HARD DRIVE! OH NOES!!!1"

Or even,

"THIS WOMAN NEEDS HER RIGHTS! DOWN TO WANTED NUDITY!"

Then you're obviously looking at porn rather than it should be looked as,
as a way to please sexual urges.

Or, as for the second one, you're being screwed while you watch people screwing. So, you're screwed.

As for child porn,
let me ready my finger so I may vomit, thanks.

Child porn is basically, ripping the innocence of children for some, sick, perverted thrill to a pedophile.

Gross.

Posted by: Crunch Apr 15 2009, 07:03 PM

A lot of depression stems from the pressure of ideals pushed upon people by society day in and day out. Take, for example, the high suicide rate amongst teenagers and gay people. Many teenagers are highly pressured not only to excel in school, but to have a highly social life, and to be prepared to face the real world. While those aren't bad things in and of themselves, the pressure placed upon teenagers by their parents, peers, and society can take a huge toll on one's psyche, breaking them down until they no longer are willing to live through it. And for gay people, society tells them that they are abominations who do not deserve to be citizens or to even live, and many are -killed- because of their sexuality. For some, suicide seems to be the only viable option.

While I haven't looked into the supposed high suicide rate for actors in pornography, I can tell you there's probably a similar cause. In such a highly religious nation as the U.S., where sexuality and its expression is such a bi-polar subject (in media it is both casually paraded yet condemned and made taboo), it is no wonder there would be an increased suicide rate amongst sex actors. They are pressured to have the "ideal" appearance society has in mind, and yet condemned by that very society for doing their job.



In its ideal state, pornography would not be at all exploitative. The actors would participate in it of their own choice, their product would be sold, they'd get cash, the customer would get their poon, and everyone would be happy. But the reality is far from that, I think. Many really don't have any other options; they are poor and need the cash, many are drug addicts that have trouble quitting, many don't have a high enough education or can't find another job, etc etc etc. In these cases, it is exploitative.

Posted by: Airotia Apr 21 2009, 07:50 PM

I'm going to repeat what most people are saying. If the women choose it, that's their choice. It's a career path, and if anyone has any common sense at all, they'll know what they're getting into before they get into it.

Posted by: Yzarc Drowsnam Apr 22 2009, 12:57 PM

Just because it's technically voluntary doesn't mean it's not exploitation and objectification. Things like pornography, beauty pageants, and the general way the female body is portrayed in the media causes us to automatically objectify the bodies of all women. I'm no exception, but I'm not really proud of it. I've seen so many beautiful bodies on the internet, movies and TV that the ones I'm lucky enough to see in real life just can't stand up, and I (along with a good portion of other men) inadvertently start to judge women before we even meet them based on what they look like.

I still watch it though, 'cause that's how I roll. In hypocrisy.

Posted by: Ludocx Apr 22 2009, 01:05 PM

ditto

but seriously eagleblackbelt why is it wrong apart from it is not right in your eyes???......

I think unless your being forced there is no exploitation

simple as

Posted by: chariot Apr 24 2009, 12:35 PM

all the ignorance in this thread is shocking. i keep seeing the word 'choice' as the defining factor as to whether porn in exploitation- when you see a homeless person, do you tell yourselves "it's this man's choice to be homeless" to feel better about yourselves? especially when they're just starting out in pornography, or stripping, or any other such degrading sport, these women are not doing so because they CHOOSE to. they are doing so because THEY HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE. they need money for school, for rent, for drugs, to just actually live. they usually have no education, they are not qualified for a job of skill, so they do what they have to. and while it's true that some become successful at it and start making more money than the average person and claim to enjoy it (not to say that, at least in some way, they don't actually enjoy exploiting themselves when the money's right), the vast majority hate it. the entire industry is so messed up and ladden with illegal and inhumane stuff.

i work next to a strip club. i've worked with strippers before (not stripping >:O). i've read memoirs of their that have made me cry. it is a terrible, godawful thing, for anyone to think that these girls would CHOOSE this life, had they other options, is so terribly wrong.

Posted by: Lord Raven Apr 24 2009, 02:11 PM

Never really thought about that; thanks for the enlightenment.
I wouldn't say all porn exploits then, but if they enjoy it then I wouldn't classify it as exploiting I guess.

Posted by: Icedevimon Apr 24 2009, 02:34 PM

I guess the majority of woman who do porn are poor, but I fail to see how they don't have a choice but to turn to it. Anyone has the ability to get up in the morning and decide to make something of himself. They can choose to do something like sweep up trash or they can do pornography. I will accept that some people may be forced into it, but I don't believe that the majority of actors have absolutely no other alternative for work.

That said, I have seen a few documentaries in my Psych of Women course this semester that have focused on pornography actresses, and though the women interviewed have had some drug issues, the majority of them love what they do and enjoy it. Interestingly, they did have complaints about some types of jobs that they had which they described as sort of exploitative, in the fact that they were totally objectified and there was no real way for them to enjoy the act. Those were blow job and cum shot videos.

I don't particularly think of pornography as exploiting women. I do think that they tend to drive home social stereotypes of the assumed substandard role of a woman to a man (the woman is there to please and to do what the man wants to make him happy). I really think it depends on the porn. It's fairly clear early on how deeply a film is going to stereotype the women involved.

I do watch porn and even enjoy some of the ones that stereotype women and seem to 'exploit' them, but I'm aware of these facts in the back of my mind as I do so.

Posted by: PeachyMomo May 5 2009, 02:41 AM

No. It's their choice.

Also, men do it too; when people say it exploit's women and not men as well, although I disagree with their stance anyway, I just see them as sexist. Not only sexist towards men, but women, who they must think of as the weaker sex to be the only one being exploited despite both sexes doing the same exact thing. Women can use men for sex, men can use women for sex, believe it or not my wonderful misandrists/misogynists.

Not to mention those idiotic people who think men must enjoy and choose to do porn, and women can never enjoy or choose to do porn.

And women also watch porn, you know. Just a head's up.

Simple answer for me: It does not exploit men or women who have chosen to take part. And even though most people seem to think because they would never do it, no one else would, they do - and they enjoy it. That's life; some people enjoy their job, some people don't. But it's up to the individual whether they decide to exploit anyone, man or woman.

If anything, you can blame those in the sex industry being depressed on society's tendency to discriminate against them and view sex as a sin, not exploitation of sex, which is pretty much the opposite. If it wasn't so "wrong" to do something as natural as have sex, it wouldn't be considered a "lowly" job by most people and they would have no reason to feel inferior for doing it.

Posted by: StarShinePachirusu May 5 2009, 03:05 AM

Porn isnt really exploiting anyone. Women who sign up for it, know they're going to show their bodies off, and possibly even get fucked on camera. It's mostly voluntary.

The only time it's exploiting is when the woman doesnt give permission to be filmed. then it's wrong.

Posted by: Emphyria May 11 2009, 07:23 PM

I don't believe Porn exploits women's bodies as we've already covered that they do it by choice. They sign contracts, they get paid and they perform in these types of movies. They weren't forced to strip down and have sex in a variety of provocative and sometimes disgusting manners; they chose to do so.

However, if we were to discuss the impact that porn has on women in the real world then that would be a different matter. It has been proven in a study in the UK that men and teenage boys both have very inaccurate ideas of how sex and the female body really is due to the influences of porn in their lifes. Similarly a lot of 'real' women (aka those not in porn) feel under heavy pressure to fit in with the plastic/porn ideal women due to the comments and naivity of men/teenage boys as they grow up.

That is a different topic entirely though and I won't digress in the middle of this discussion.

Overall - porn doesn't exploit a woman's body it can just impact on the view of what a natural woman looks like.

Posted by: lover May 13 2009, 09:01 AM

It depends what type of porn to be honest the dvd ones ive seen tend to have more of the women than parts of the men.

Online though i have seen everything and think both male and female parts are out there as much as each other.

The women do want to be known for there bits like the size of boobs and everything and its there choice to show them off. We know not all women are like that so it doesnt bother me one bit.

Posted by: Iulius Caesar May 20 2009, 05:43 PM

Sadly a majority of what the Catholic Church says is biased and sometimes wrong.

The whole "Porn forms an unrealistic expectation of women" is completely false. Not all guys who watch 36DD girls strip and do other things want to date/screw every 36DD girl in existence. Just because it shows women (and men) getting naked and sometimes performing sexual acts for the sexual pleasure of those who view it doesn't always mean that these porn actors suddenly become the people the porn viewers want to meet and fuck. Last I checked, the girl I like isn't 36DD and has perfect curves. And the guy I like isn't a perfect twink and measures up very...endowed.

Posted by: SilverLynx Jun 5 2009, 05:14 PM

It's just silly to assume that porn starts are depressed or feel exploited. In fact most of the interviews I've seen of porn stars (Howard Stern show, hells yes), most of them are outgoing, easily likable and very intelligent.

They're pornstars instead of teachers for a few reasons: One, they have the body for it, Two, many of them are exhibitionists, Three, they love having sex, Four, the money is pretty good, and Five, some of them enjoy the fame/infamy.

So wait - it's JUST A JOB?! It is. Just a job. By fapping to a pornstar you're not exploiting her any more than buying stamps from the post office worker.

She's there (willingly, and knowingly) to create a sexy situation for someone to be aroused by. There's nothing more to it than that.

Now I'm not talking about sex-trade and prostitution ( or certain types of amateur porn where the girl may not know she's being filmed). Those are matters that easily slide into exploitation because the woman has no choice in what she's doing. But in legit porn, what the pornstar wants, she gets, and if she ever gets uncomfortable, she can put her foot down easily - most directors are very willing to make situations comfortable.

Posted by: laskuraska Jun 5 2009, 05:19 PM

It's exploitation only when the participant doesn't understand in what she's participating, or doesn't receive any of the profits. So I'd say Playboy, Maxim, and other such establishments are fine because the women are sober when they make the agreement and are in this as a career, but Girls Gone Wild is exploitation.

Posted by: Tyra Jun 6 2009, 07:06 AM

I personally don't think that pornography, or nudity in general is blatant exploitation of the female body. We have the same rights and choices men can make, and if we want to spread our legs for photography or film, then we choose to do so.

I personally have no problem with seeing it. Tasteful nudity can be found in porn, and it's considered an artform to many.

Posted by: ZanTheHawk Jun 6 2009, 07:19 AM

when you say exploit you are in one way saying "showing off" in which i say yes it is.

Posted by: Kettshee Jun 6 2009, 12:35 PM

Playing devil's advocate here. People who specifically say it exploits women are probably looking at society as a whole when they say that. There are a lot of double standards between men and women. A man who sleeps around is a ladies man; a woman who sleeps around is a slut. You know the drill. (And no, I am not saying I believe that in any way, I'm saying that that is society's general attitude.) Most porn does not focus on the male anyway. I know that there's different types of porn out there that focus on different people/scenarios, I'm just basing this on most mainstream porn.

So yeah, although both sexes are doing "the exact same thing", there is still a double standard that exists in society. Someone who says that it exploits women and not men are not necessarily saying that women are weaker -- they are examining society's attitudes and implications, and the effects that this has on society too. I hope this makes sense.

Again though, I'm playing devil's advocate. I agree Emphyria's entire post.

Posted by: dotPHUNK Jun 10 2009, 12:24 AM

Simply put, no. They knew what they were doing. :\

Posted by: Aknara Jun 10 2009, 08:39 AM

It depends on the situation that lead to said pornography being produced.

If you mean professional porn such as Hustler, Playboy or Movies.. then no, absolutely not.

If anything it's empowering. Women get paid to do what they want with their bodies, as it should be. Their bodies, their choice.

However, if it's something like drunken college girls being taken advantage of.. then yeah, it's exploitation lol.

Posted by: Hagane no Yuurei Jun 17 2009, 05:18 PM

Honestly, it all depends on perspective.

Posted by: ZeroVX Jun 19 2009, 03:27 PM

Actual porn stars who get paid for what they do? No, it doesn't exploit them. For them, it's a job. Much like any job, if they feel uncomfortable with it, they can leave. No one's stopping them.

Barely legal teenagers who are so drunk they don't even know what's going on? Yes, because they didn't choose to do it, and will probably be embarrassed to an unimaginable degree when they find out what happened.

Posted by: sqtodd Jun 19 2009, 05:20 PM

not as much as modern day commercials

Posted by: iRyu Jun 19 2009, 05:50 PM

Of Course Pornography Exploits Women
Even If You Choose To Be A Part Of It You are Still Exploiting Yourself
It Did Say In The Bible (Currently Looking Up Verse[If You Are Not Christian Please Ignore/Excuse Me]) As To Keep The Body Sacred, Do Not Show Your Naked Self To Anyone But Your Spouse (A.K.A Husband or Wife)

Imo Pornography Is Wrong, Horrid, Exploiting, For People Without A Significant Other,For People Without A Life, And Much More

Posted by: kusari Aug 20 2009, 04:43 PM

I don't think that the pornography exploit women's body. After all, they sign a contract and are payed (sometimes very well) for it.
Sex has always been a commercial things, they just have found a better way for making money than prostitution. They are not worth than other actors. But porno actress or actors shouldn't be judge for what they do in their film but for what they are in the real life.

P.S I'm french and don't speak english very well so if I made mistake, correct me please ^^.

Posted by: bulbachu Aug 22 2009, 10:18 AM

it depends on the reason. when many people are in need of money, they might turn to selling off their bodies for a little extra cash. in most cases, this is degrading and humiliating for the people who are forced to do it. others are forced into it by blackmail, but these cases are few. yet, some people will gladly show off their bodies, striking poses and allowing any viewer to become intimate with their person. many people think the human body is beautiful, a work of art, and they wish to share this thought with the world. while pornography does exploit some women, others use it as a way to express themselves, to give themselves a voice in a world where they would otherwise be ignored. whether it truly is or isn't exploitation is not for me or any one else to decide, but rather for the person who is posing for the camera or waiting to be painted in the studio.

Posted by: penguinJAM Aug 27 2009, 02:09 PM

Since you are using the term "exploit", then no. The woman choose to reveal their bodies to the world, and therefore there is nothing about them being exploited.

Posted by: FueledByPokemon Aug 29 2009, 07:48 PM

It totally up to the person themselves. If they wanna get naked and pose infront of a camera . So be it . But no one should be forced .

Posted by: ShayminsoftheSky Aug 31 2009, 02:59 AM

If its by choice let them do it.I believe if its by choice and harms noone then its ok.

Posted by: essi Sep 4 2009, 04:37 AM

It's a choice like every other. I think people have to be responsible for their own action. This applies to men in the business as well :P

Posted by: Froslass132 Sep 4 2009, 10:31 AM

I do believe I just witnessed a double post...

pornography is simply a ways to make money, if a man or woman so wishes to participate in it, that's there business. We have no right to judge them. Yes, I did say man or woman. Saying that only women participate in pornography is a lie, and an extremely sexist remark.

Posted by: John102 Sep 6 2009, 02:04 AM

ex⋅ploit [ik-sploit]

–verb (used with object)
1. to utilize, esp. for profit; turn to practical account:to exploit a business opportunity.

Let's break this down using the definition, shall we?

Now, as you can see exploit is a verb that is used with an object (in this case a woman's body). To utilize, that means to use, esp. for a profit, that means specifacally for a gain of wealth.

Ok, so does pornography use a woman's body to gain wealth?

Let's see, you buy a subscription for a porn website which has a multitude of woman's bodies which the porn sites use to make a profit.

So, you buying a subscription makes them a profit, and the porn sites are using the woman's bodies to do so. My conclusion would have to be yes, it does exploit a woman's body, and that is a fact.

Posted by: michailia Dec 15 2009, 08:23 PM

(You know what's funny?
Porn stars have more realistic bodies than super models. Me, I personally find porn completely fine, especially with my boyfriend. That's why I always find it so peculiar when girls says "oh, porn is bad only if you're in a relationship." It's kinda a dumb argument.)
Err, I digress.
I find pornography fine, and not exploiting at all! I actually find it quite liberating that women now have rights to be able to show our body now. In the Fifties, women could only be in bikinis, breasts shown were discouraged, and if you were caught with anything that was showing "down there", I believed you were fined, which I saw in a Bettie Page biography (who, by the way, liked modeling, but it conflicted with her beliefs.) However, I find this train of thought applies only if the person enjoys it, and WANTS to do it.
And you know what? Some of the people who are in porn are intelligent, and creative.

I don't know, that's just my opinion. Yeah, it's your choice, and more power to you if you like doing it. I would hate being stuck in a crummy job I hated, so people in porn shouldn't be criticized for being in a controversial job they love. I hope I didn't sound rude or inappropriate or anything. If I used inappropriate words, if so a mod can edit them out as they please.

Now, what the MEDIA portrays women as, I could get in a huge debate about that. XD

Posted by: Shiny Hunter Dec 17 2009, 07:21 AM

There is the factor that some women are forced into doing it.

There are some areas where people are kidnapped and then forced to star in pornographic movies or prostitute themselves.

However, if it is voluntary, it still exploits the woman's body but it means that they want to be exploited.

Posted by: Lord Raven Dec 17 2009, 04:54 PM

But that's definitely not pornography's fault; just the people who forced them or kidnapped them.

Posted by: GirlCalledBob Jan 1 2010, 09:29 PM

People might think I'm wrong, but my first thought when I read this topic title was 'does science exploit women's minds?'

The fact is that proper, mainstream, pornography (not, of course, amateur stuff that wouldn't exist in such quantiies if we all just got over ourselves and admitted that sex isn't a bad thing... digressing, digressing...) is, as people have said, a job that many people love doing. They aren't forced to do it - the idea is slightly silly, really. They made a choice, and that choice was that they were unashamed of their bodies and they liked sex, so they may as well make a living out of it.

I'm not pretending that I know much about the subject, but women with attractive bodies have the right to use those bodies however they will. If we're talking about taking an object - the body of a woman - and using it to make profit, well... isn't that what a job is? Don't we take an object - the mind of a scientist - and use it for profit?

I don't know. This all made so much more sense in my head.

Posted by: Spearow Jan 2 2010, 05:36 PM

Yes, it exploits the image of the human form to achieve its end, and the fact shouldn't be ignored that it also exploits male bodies as well, more often than not.

please. the gay porn industry is huge, not to mention the fact that there are male stars featured in any number of hardcore straight movies - sure, in straight male-oriented pornography the emphasis will always be more on the woman, but still.

As far as I can tell commercial pornography today as an institution doesn't exploit individuals, considering everyone who works in the industry chooses to do so and presumably enjoys/has an interest in their line of work.

When you get off the scripted track, though, ie Girls Gone Wild and other "reality" porn, I think the line between consent and non-consent becomes a little less clear. I'd consider GGW basically a visual form of date-rape, but hey, what can you do. Those girls get themselves into that situation - they sign the papers, whether they are aware of it or not. Unfortunate that there are scumbags out there so eager to take advantage of vulnerable people, but again, there's not much anyone can do, legally or otherwise.

Posted by: Chinchillazilla Jan 11 2010, 11:52 PM

I don't know any porn actresses, but I know a few strippers online and IRL (I don't really know how I keep meeting them - it's not at strip clubs :P), and all of them really like their job. I just can't see getting into the sex industry if you aren't fully aware of the repercussions.

Posted by: Eniguma Jan 18 2010, 11:30 PM

It's not just pornography, it's everything in general. TV, books, commercials - it all dubs women as articles. Sure, many enjoy and take advantage of that, but it's really just changed the way people look at each other. The amount of sexism around is just ridiculous.

But back on topic, before I drift off too far. From my perspective, no, it doesn't, but the world's is probably different. In my opinion, though, since people are different, a girl doing whatever she's doing in a video is just what she's into, and I don't relate that to every girl ever. While I'm not really attracted to that kind of stuff, I don't have anything against girls doing it, and if someone really takes it too far and ends up with an entirely wrong view of girls, then they probably weren't a loss anyway.

Posted by: Blueberry Jan 20 2010, 09:21 AM

I think the amount of men who enter the system are about equal to women but anyone can make a porno, let's be frank.

Work (all of it) is nothing but selling your body. No, it is not exploiting women's bodies. There are a lot of married couples in the line of work and they enjoy it. Sure, sex now means something totally different to them and it may not happen as often but they are perfectly happy with each other. If anything people blow things way out of proportion.

Posted by: Annakyoyama358 Jan 21 2010, 01:44 AM

I actually find it empowering to some degree. I'm no porn star (way to antisocial for that shit) but if you're sober, and okay with it, why not?

I know many people find it artsy, like nude models.

Posted by: Ezio Feb 10 2010, 05:20 AM

Yes.
Plain and simple.
It is wrong.

I am a guy, I do not watch porn, because I do not think it is right, most of the people who do it don't have any alternatives and do it for Money that is much needed.

some are recorded and put up without even realising that the other person involved was doing it.

Posted by: Steelsentry Feb 14 2010, 07:59 PM

personally no but the way people are integrated into society (ie religion, experiences and media) have a large effect on the way these people think.

Posted by: Kiraiko Feb 15 2010, 01:42 PM

exploit? no, most of the time these women going into the business willingly, .

but i don't like porn. in my opinion it's pretty degrading to women and some one said most porn stars have more realistic bodies than super models. well that's true, but most women still don't look like that. and men who watch porn from a fairly young age get this idea in their head that that's what a woman is supposed to look like and that's what sex is supposed to be like. well it's not. porn is just movies focusing on sex, as long as a guy can watch it and realize reality is nothing like that then fine but a lot of men watch it and then try to make it a reality and then in turn, women start feeling like they have to look like that, act like that, in order to be accepted. it's a subtle but very real cycle. I don't have a problem with porn, though i personally don't like it, i just don't have a problem with men who think that women should really be like that.

though i do think that if a man is married and his wife has a problem with him watching porn, he shouldn't do it.

Posted by: Unskilled78 Feb 16 2010, 04:25 AM

Unless you're forced to act in such materials, it's your choice.
(as to being drunk in a GGW video, kinda your choice to get drunk)

I'm sorry. I'm not sympathetic, especially to those who put themselves in the stew

Posted by: Melfina Feb 16 2010, 12:39 PM

As I'm sure many have said before me, pornography doesn't exploit women's bodies at all.

More and more women nowadays are aspiring to enter into the porn industry; less people are entering that line of work because they "have to" or because there's "no alternative". I'll hold my hands up and agree that it's common for girls to work in strip clubs to pay for education fees and stuff like that, but strangely enough there is actually a huge difference between stripping and having sex with someone for money.

I can see why some people see it as being very empowering for women, but I personally don't see that appeal. I believe women are far more empowered when they are tastefully clothed - I'm not adverse to showing a little skin, but baring all is terribly dull and boring. I may be a grumpy young woman when I say this, but I believe it paints an unrealistic image of what a 'normal' woman's body looks like - most of the girls in the porn industry have been airbrushed and had other digital effects to iron out all their flaws and make them seem perfect.

Although I know they don't really look like that, some guys will naively expect their girlfriends to look and act like that, and that both sickens and irritates me. But such is the ugly girl's vendetta against the media's portrayal of women.. and I'm getting off-track, so I'll stop typing now.

Posted by: Rich Boy Feb 16 2010, 12:51 PM

Unless they're forced to do things that they feel threaten them, then it is no way in hell explotable, and legally that would fall under extortion anyway. I have no problem with people in Pornography, because quite frankly it's a viable method of making a lot of money. Besides, money makes the world go round, right?

Posted by: Amalthia Yoshyuki Feb 24 2010, 12:06 AM

First and foremost, it is almost always a girls choice whether to do this kind of thing or not (girls gone wild or not also). The fact is, if you know what's happening around you and you do it anyway, then its your own fault. So I think mostly no on this. Because its not like they don't get paid, not that I claim to know wages or anything for this thing, but even if professionals weren't producing these, amatuers would anyhow. So all in all, you can't stop it. If they choose to be exploited, so be it. But its all in the eye of the beholder.

Posted by: Whimsicott Oct 16 2013, 02:32 PM

It's rather naive stance to assume that all or even most women involved in the porn industry are responsible for being there. That aside, the conditions of this field are ghastly, and if somehow you manage to cast all that away, it still amounts to harmful sexualization. You should look around more before forming such impotent and inappropriately mild opinions about a subject of which you do not comprehend.

Posted by: Anarchy Dec 7 2013, 02:49 AM

Seeing multiple comments along the lines of "No it does not as women do it voluntarily) reminds me of something I recently discussed with a fellow friend of mine. I reside in Canada and the Canadian people had committed some racist crimes towards first nations people. Now, many Canadians (and immigrants) sit around and complain about how the native people sit around not paying their taxes and being alcoholics. However, nobody asks why they may be doing that (even though the majority isn't). If people are living naturally, and people whom are not living naturally come along and enslave, rape and murder the natural people, the remaining people will behave differently than they would have growing up in their natural state.
Society in itself causes people to behave in certain ways. Society is the exact reason for why more people are depressed, poor, sexist, racist, ignorant, unintelligent and etcetera. Although I cannot speak for these women (or men) in the pornographic industry, but I can certainly say that the pornographic industry's main focus is on women and women alone. "Sex sells" only because of women. Women, in our society, naturally are expected to either be the loving wives that stay home and take care of the children, or be the whores of society. There isn't an in-between if you really observe society's behavior.

Posted by: VioletLove70 Jul 28 2015, 09:13 PM

Respectfully, I must say that the starter of this topic does make a very good point that the women are the ones consenting to this exposure. But then again, think about this: what gender do you associate with porn? Most people will probably answer that by saying, "Women." In all honesty, the selected porn video could very well star two gay men for all we know. This prompts me to ask the question of why is porn so associated with women? Well, women are more commonly seen in porn than men. Attractive women who aren't shy about their bodies are looked to for parts in these videos. History itself lends itself to this as well. Even back in the ancient times, women were sexualized in the form of female fertility gods. The resounding over-sexualization of females has lasted long into every period of time before our current society, albeit changing forms over the centuries to adapt to current technologies. Unfortunately for us women, it will likely last long into the future. So, in conclusion, I say that pornography does exploit women's bodies, and that the industry is just a smaller piece of a larger picture of female sexualization all over the world, spanning the course of humanity's cultural time.