Who is and isn't into porn is an interesting question. But why and why not is the important bit, and the answer might surprise you.
To work out the answer, get deep about it (sometimes it is that deep).
Consider why certain groups of people, like men or women, might be more into porn than others.
Ask yourself some important questions about what's normally shown in porn, and what it's really about.
Try answering or even just thinking about questions like:
- How does porn ‘treat’ or represent certain people compared with others, like men vs women; trans, gay and straight people; white people and people of colour?
- Of those groups, who seems to have the power in most porn, who’s in control? And whose pleasure is being prioritised?
- Of those groups, who usually gets called names, treated rough or demeaned, men or women?
- How much do porn actors look like real people? Think about how many different body types or disabilities do you see in porn.
- How often is consent or safe sex portrayed in porn?
A lot of porn out there seems to push certain stereotypes and make sex look like something that’s disrespectful, unhealthy or even violent.
It makes you wonder, if women do make up such a large part of porn’s audiences as some people claim, why does it represent them the way it does and in situations that can be so off-putting or demeaning to women?
It’s also got to be said, porn has become so accessible and so widespread today that a lot of people can feel pressured to do things they’re not into or don’t enjoy because porn tells us that’s what’s normal or expected.
So, whether you’re wondering whether someone is into porn, or what they do or don’t like about it, the first thing to remember is to respect their choices about what they don’t want to watch or do, no matter what their reasons.
It’s never ok to pressure someone to do anything sexual.
While you might want to question someone’s choice about viewing porn, it might be more useful and interesting to think about how different kinds of porn make people feel, and to ask why porn is the way it is.
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