Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site SCIRTP.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!rti-sel!SCIRTP!todd From: todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: erotica/pornography Message-ID: <341@SCIRTP.UUCP> Date: Wed, 21-Aug-85 14:54:04 EDT Article-I.D.: SCIRTP.341 Posted: Wed Aug 21 14:54:04 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 15:08:04 EDT References: <3700@decwrl.UUCP> Organization: SCI Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC Lines: 24 > I am not opposed to erotica, but I am opposed to pornography. To my mind, > the difference is in the way that gender roles are portrayed. In erotica, > both male and female are portrayed as consenting, equally involved adults. > Pornograghy depicts females (and, in some cases, children) as being subject > to the sexual desires of a male, whether he is in the picture or not. > > In short, I think that erotica is about sex, and pornography is about dominance, > and that pornography goes a long way towards keeping people locked up in the > stereotypic gender roles, roles which are as stultifying for males as they > are for females. Further, I think any picture (including advertisements, but > that's another mail) which demeans or dehumanizes any person should be eschewed. > > > As always, > Joanne E. Munson > If I read your posting correctly (avoid, but do not censor offensive portrayals of women), please accept my congratulations on a sensible response to the issues of pornography and censorship. A very strong case can be made for the harmful effects of sexist pornography, but this can never outweigh the importance of a free press. Believe me, this can of worms is open to too many interpretations. -todd jones