Columns

The debate as to whether or not pornography conflicts with feminist ideals is hotly contested. Will Cheyne takes the view that it does, as pornography alters the way women are perceived by society and the expectations placed upon them. Louis Chambers disagrees, arguing that feminism is about choice, and that includes a woman’s right to choose her own lifestyle preferences.

Will:
In today’s increasingly diverse and modern culture, I think the most apt definition of feminism must be one of freedom: freedom from both judgment and prejudice. Feminism is about women being free to choose how they are perceived by society. The liberal-minded amongst us may argue that we should be free to express ourselves; free to act as we wish without any control on our behaviour. They may argue that pornography is a method of self-expression. But the reality is that in order to have freedom of expression we must be free from prejudice, and free from societal pressures and constraints. In this case, the reality is that pornography affects the way that women are viewed within society and thus is at conflict with feminism itself.
It is perfectly natural that men and women are sexually curious. However, what the porn industry seeks to do is to shape this sexual curiosity. It is a perfectly logical, economic step for porn producers to capture pure, young, intense sexual desire and shape it into something somewhat distant and fictional; to shape desire into something difficult to find in the real world. By doing this, the producers of porn protect their market. However, what they also do is create an expectation surrounding the nature of sex that does not align with what reality may deliver.
I am not attempting to stereotype porn, say that it is all degrading to women, or to deny that some women may find it liberating to appear in pornography or fulfill the expectation it has created. I am simply saying that by its very nature, porn creates an expectation. It is this expectation that is an affront to the notion that women should be free to determine how society perceives them; it is this expectation that is an affront to feminism.  
Louis: 
To say that pornography is an affront to feminism is to completely ignore the rights of participants and viewers to make free choices. Indeed, fifty or so years ago arguments like Will’s were used to justify banning pornography altogether. There were good reasons some women campaigned for the legalisation of pornography then, and those good reasons remain today.
Firstly, if feminism is all about choice, then what about the rights of women to choose their occupation? Pornography is a lifestyle choice that many women enjoy. Women who choose to do Playboy covers, or spend their lives filming hardcore porn movies, are not forced into this decision. If we really believe in feminism and the freedom of women to choose, then we should respect women who decide, for whatever reason, that a life working in pornography is for them.
But more importantly, what about the viewers of pornography? It is commonly thought that all pornography is sleazy old men sitting at their computer screens watching dirty videos of men dominating women.
The reality is far different (not speaking from personal experience, of course). Porn today is diverse, and is watched by men and women. Again, if feminism is about choice, then a woman’s decision to watch it should be recognised and respected.
Even when the viewers are male, it is wrong to assume the pornography is oppressive to women. Much pornography shows loving couples together, and if anything this teaches men to show more respect, not less, in the bedroom.
Of course, there is porn that is incredibly degrading to women, and I agree with Will’s opposition to this. However, this does not mean that pornography as a whole is degrading to women. The industry is diverse. Many women choose to take part in the production of pornography, and many women take pleasure in watching it. And it is an industry that, on balance, empowers rather than undermines women.