Discuss the implications for shaping individual identity as a result of the ease of access to pornography on our various screens Swinburne Online
Exemplar - SOC10004 Sociological Foundations Pornography has slowly worked its way into society over the years, and as a result, has had an effect on shaping individuals' identity. Since the screening of the 1972 Deep Throat film that drew outrage and saw legal action taken against one of the actors in the film, censorship of pornography has gradually been challenged and beaten, resulting in the material becoming produced on a larger scale and being made readily available to audiences in their homes following the invention of the VCR and VHS video tapes (Ferguson & Hartley, 2009). The basis of which censorship was called for relied on the premise that pornography use results in the increase of violence against women, the increase of sexual assault, and the increase of risky sexual behaviours (Ferguson & Hartley, 2009). Nowadays, thanks to the Internet, pornography has become more accessible than ever, bringing the pornographic material not only into the home, but also into school and work environments (Manning, 2006). This essay will discuss the effects that pornography consumption can have on viewers, and how their identities can be shaped by a pornified society. Whether pornography consumption has an effect on shaping individual identities through new attitudes towards sex has been a subject of debate over the years. Viewing pornography has been attributed to the trivialization of rape and promotion of rape myths, male aggression towards women, and changes of perception of typical sexual behaviour (Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, 1986). New attitudes towards what defines behaviours, and can also effect social units such as marriages and relationships (Manning, 2006). Online BUR · NE Pornography consumption has seen to influence male individuals' attitude towards sex. By viewing pornographic material, a male viewer's expectation about what is normal and appropriate sexual behaviour can be changed (Wright, 2013). Pornography provides narratives that do not represent traditional sexual values and relationships, and Huesmann (1986) states that consumers of pornographic material can learn specific scripts from pornography, by abstracting the belief system that the material advocates. Such scripts can often lead to the male adopting the beliefs, and as a result, engaging in a sexual behaviour that is similar to what he was exposed to. For example, a male might not have considered engaging in a sexual relationship with multiple partners. However, upon viewing material that depicts the behaviour as acceptable and normal, a male may seek to engage in such a behaviour. Although, there may be barriers that prevent the male from engaging in such a behaviour. Pornography may depict scenes that are pure fantasy and unattainable to the consumer, such as attractive models and unrealistic scenarios. Other barriers may include time restraints, and sexual arousal. However, it is more than likely that on average, males who view pornography will be affected by the content, and have different attitudes about what is normal towards sex