Feminine Pornography

“As of July 2003, there were 260 million pages of pornography online, an increase of 1800% since 1998”, stated Porn Factor, an article that appeared in Time Magazine two years ago. That’s alotta sex! While “for women only” websites are popping up all over the net, few truly understand how their services could aid women, men and the feminine movement better.

Some individuals bicker over the morality between porn and erotica, while others don’t have a comprehensible understanding between the two. I believe there is a clear distinction between them. Briefly, “the OED defines pornography simply as: ‘explicit representation of sexual activity in literature, films, etc., intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings”, as described by Terrie Schauer, who wrote a thesis paper about women’s pornographic websites. She compared the pro and con views from various theorists, focusing her attention on the “visual coding of website images rather than audience reception”. Her findings concluded that pornography sites for women “fuse” the typical male homo and hetero versions of sex but with modifications for feminine desires. I agree that most female websites are an adapted version of what is typically seen in male sites, however, I’d like to expand on Schauer’s conclusion.

One way to look at porn is that it arouses the physical body through visual stimulation, which produces chemical reactions for the intended purpose of a quickie, so to speak. However, pornography’s etymology means “writing about prostitutes”, so modern day porn has come to signify a male objectification of women. However, porn is usually not intended to conjure up emotionally attached feelings such as love or - I hate to say this - even respect, as its purpose is for quick release; it’s all about sex and little else. Pretty simple. Erotica, however, taps into the emotional aspect that then stimulates the physical and this is usually regarded as the sexual approach women desire. Further, quoting from Porn Factor again, “most describe the difference [between porn and erotica] this way: porn is objectifying and derogatory while erotica depicts mutually satisfying sex between equal partners.”

So then, what kind of ‘pornography’ is, as Louise J. Kaplan calls in her book Female Perversions, “for female eyes only”? Can there be feminine porn? First, there is a general misconception about the term pornography and women holding a place together because many feminists view porn as the medium of female objectification. Debatable by some, there is enough to support that most women do not view patriarchy’s version of pornography as satisfying the typical feminine desire and if demeaning objectification and raunchy sexual acts is the definition of patriarch pornography, it’s no wonder pornography has gotten such a bad rap. However, while women don’t condone negative pornographic material usually available on the internet, some women do prefer the more raw Hustler type of pornography. In this case, the saturated porn market is filled with enough content to satisfy even the wildest appetites and should not be excluded from mass circulation. However, what about when the subtle moment of foreplay is preferred? Even a Hustler gal needs a little extra tender loving care.

The point every woman knows (I hope!) is that she has the capability of enjoying both the patriarch version of porn (as a subjective preference) as well as the more feminine form, which is usually described as erotica. Biologically, men are wired for quantity while women are made for quality. I’ve questioned if this is correlated to the fact that a female orgasm is designed to bring the semen further into her uterus so that the chances of conception are higher, thus forcing the orgasmic effort to play a more vital role in evolutionary biology than anything else. This is, of course, something to think about and research. However, men’s sexual desire is fueled by the visual stimulus, as the image is more holistic, bringing forth a full conceptual comprehension of ‘the whole picture’. The result of the desire or emotion an image creates is instantaneous rather than the methodical, linear steps of the female orgasm. For a man to achieve similar emotions that balance on scale to a woman with respect to the sexual stimulation necessary for full orgasm, it is my belief that he requires the binding emotion that only physical contact with a woman brings. To simplify, a man needs to satisfy his need for quantity but if he wishes to experience quality, he needs to touch, feel and connect to a woman. Her orgasmic wiring forces him to slow down, thus offering the potential of experiencing the quality of sex rather than quantity for which he is biologically (and perhaps psychologically) enslaved.

Women have it best. Not only are we capable of stimulation through the sensuality that erotica conveys, we can appreciate the rawness of pornography as well because as Steve the fictional character in Britain’s hit sex comedy “Coupling” said, “… masturbation is the snack between meals.” Assuming the role of porn is usually best played out during a ‘solo’ routine, porn is masturbation’s food! However, because of social and cultural upbringing, many women have difficulty admitting their interest in sex and while pornography has become a dirty word in the feminist world, erotica has become the surrogate terminology for it. Yet, this undermines not only women but also the definition of erotica itself, thus tarnishing the one slice of good in the world of bad porn.

In order to create a shift in consciousness and/or a paradigm, the distinction between porn and erotica need to ‘fuse’ more eloquently and be able to stand alone at the same time, without judgment or subjection for one or the other. In other words, the porn industry may wish to consider a union of the two if it wishes to harness the full scope of potentiality. Of course, this suggestion probably would get a full on laugh in the face by the current porn industry; however, there are artists and writers who are bringing a more unionized version of pornography into the mainstream. This is vital.

An important point is that while men and women differ, both psychologically and physically, the end result is the same. That final outcome known as the orgasm is stimulated through our brain’s need for pleasure. We’re wired for it. When women discredit the need for pornography, they do an injustice to men and women. Men, however, may wish to consider a more open mind about that “porn substitute” which is really a “porn enhancer”. If it really is ‘all about pussy’, then women have what men want but on the same token, men must accept the attachments with as much fervor! If both sexes could find a compromise within the pornography/erotica world then it is my strong belief that the two could also find a more harmonious path within relationships, thus added respect for one another, themselves and the sex industry as well.

So the wise porn site is one that caters to both sexes’ needs through different lenses. Websites intended for women often times miss the pornographic element women desire occasionally or provide an edited patriarch version of sex but call it a website for women. A cutting-edge porn website invites the men who desire to understand the women they are with while setting new standards for the marriage between pornography and erotica. The Erotic Woman is one such site that I see as a pioneer among more recent respectable sex sites that show promise in making a contribution to the paradigm shift men and women need if they are to strengthen their love and respect for each other.

Now all that’s needed are more men and women either actively participating or contributing to this pornographic endeavor.

Namaste,
Tatiana von Tauber
www.vontauber.wordpress.com
www.vontauber.com

Source: Schauer, T. (Spring 2005) Women’s Porno: the heterosexual female gaze in porn sites “for women”. Sexuality & Culture, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 42-64.

Porn Factor. (January 19 2004) Time, Vol. 163, No.3, pp. 99-101