Pornography as Cultural Expression

According to Bound and Gagged, by Laura Kipnis, "pornography is a form of cultural expression, and though it's transgressive, disruptive, and hits below the belt-- in more ways than one-- it's an essential form of contemporary national culture" (Kipnis viii).  Kipnis feels that pornography should appeal to people, because it's about the deepness of one’s self.  She also feels that it grips the origins of our culture.  Most people see porn strictly as obscene and offending, but Kipnis’ thesis is that it is simply a form of human expression.  “It has meaning, it has ideas. It even has redeeming ideas. So why all the distress?” (The Eloquence of Pornography).  She would like people to look at pornography more creatively and with an open mind.

In support of Kipnis’ thesis, there are people who believe that porn is healthy for both men and women, such as the FFE Inc, which stands for Feminists for Free Expression.   “Half the adult videos in the U.S. are bought or rented by women alone or women in couples.  Sexual health professionals recommend pornography as entertainment and information for women and men” (FFE Inc.).  This is probably surprising information for most Americans, but pornography is known for improving weakening marriages and has helped couples talk about sex, which has been shown to improve their sex lives.  Some women are against porn because they feel that it puts them in harm’s way because of the “violent” behavior displayed in pornography.  However, studies have been shown that porn does not increase violent behavior against woman.  Also, banning women in/from pornography is actually censoring women’s sexuality.