In chapter 4 of “Cheap Sex” the author focuses on pornography and masturbation. The author says that the availability and use of porn has skyrocketed in recent years and this newfound increase in usage has direct impacts on the mating and dating market as well as impacts on individual people. Due to the increase in availiability of technology, pornography has become something that is easy to access for free. The author claims that pornography can have an array of negative impacts on both individual people and their relationships. Regnerus claims that pornography presents situations that are not realistic and impact the views and ideas that consumers of pronography will have on sexual experiences. These views are distorted from pronography and can negatively impact the ideas that consumers of pornography will have. Not only does the author claim that pornography distorts the views of consumers he also says it makes them less likely to go out into the real world to pursue a relationship. It is clear that the author sees pornogrpahy as a hinderence to the development of healthy relationships in American society. What are the solutions to this issue?
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4 replies on ““Cheap Sex” Ch.4”
I do believe that to some extent pornography hinders the development of healthy relationships in America today. Not only does it promote situations that are unrealistic, but also can lead to a further loss of intimacy in actual sexual relations. With pornography constantly available for free on the Internet and sexual themes being present everywhere in society, the sentiments of the act have almost been lost to an extent. While it has not fully distorted the view of “consumers” of Cheap Sex, pornography has inevitably had a subconscious impact on many if not all who participate in sexual acts.
Andrew brings up an extremely important question as a result of Regnerus’ argument on pornography and masturbation. While I do concede that pornography and masturbation have greatly influenced the mating market and people’s sexual preferences, I also feel that some of the data he presents may be skewed which causes me to question the validity of his argument. It seems to me that because Regnerus uses primarily evidence from self reports, there may be a response reliability issue. When considering a solution I think it is necessary to recognize that as a result of increased technology, people’s sex lives have altered. Society overall has altered. I recognize that this has great disadvantages, and I believe that in order to solve the problems that we are currently facing it is necessary to look to the future rather than attempt to return to the past, especially because the past had its own issues as well when it comes to policing people’s sexual preferences and choices. I do not have an exact answer to Andrew’s question, but I recognize that it is an important question to consider.
Lily, your answer to Andrew’s question I completely agree with, There is no set answer because if we return to the past, then sexism is at rise again, including other issues. If we continue in the present then we are stuck in a phase that relationships are prompted through technology. However, if we look to the future technology will only grow. Therefore, access to pornography will grow as well.
Lily, I also really agree with your comment. It is good to recognize problems, but not to glorify the past, and want to move backwards. Not only is this a flawed viewpoint, as, like you said, it overlooks many of the problems that did occur in the past, ti is also impossible. With regards to this issue, pornography has already had its impact on society, and nothing can change that or take it back. I like that Andrew asked “what can we do about this issue?” at the end of his ERA, showing optimism for potential change in the future. I don’t think we can move backwards, but I think we can hopefully solve new issues as the arise.