[DreamP346]

Awesome question. I wonder how many people that think porn is OK would be OK with their child working in the industry. My guess would be just about 0.

I will answer this question. I would not want my kids in the porn industry because it is physically dangerous (risk of disease) and has a lot of stigma around it. However, to me, there are a lot worst scenarios that I would not want my kids do such as working as a McDonald's cash registrant for the rest of their lives in no ambitions and just plain laziness. To me that is super worse. And the worst would be if they were a leach off the system, being lazy, not working and taking advantage of others to make their money.

My kids will watch porn one day. That is the reality we live in. I can't stop it. I have accepted it and want to prepare them about the realities of porn.

[Stillness]

For me it boils down to the reasons why I wouldn't want my hypothetical children to do something. I wouldn't want them to race cars, not because racing is bad in and of itself, but because of the risks. I wouldn't want them to do pornography because it's bad.

If you feel about pornography the way I feel about race car driving (as sp seems to) and watch it, then at least you're consistent. I'm guessing that's not the case for most people. They'd feel ashamed to find out their parents or children worked in the pornographic industry.

[rcoreyus]

One point that is often brought up is that porn involves another person, that it seems like cheating. The difference in feelings about may drive a lot of the disagreements on the acceptability of porn. (Note, in the cases where someone is watching porn and denying their partner sex most people think this is bad).

To me, porn no more involves a different person than a romance novel, or fantasizing while masturbating. I assume that my wife fantasizes about people other than me, and that's absolutely fine. If she wants to read about dark haired handsome, but dangerous men who get repeatedly caught in rain storms while wearing silk shirts, that's fine too. I also don't mind if she masturbates with realistic sex toys.

To me, porn is in the same category, its just fantasy, not another person. That said, I understand that some people see it very differently. I don't think there is a "correct" interpretation.

[DreamP346]

If she wants to read about dark haired handsome, but dangerous men who get repeatedly caught in rain storms while wearing silk shirts, that's fine too.

What, that's not you! I guess you are just blond haired, handsome, dangerous man in a silk shirt in the rain.

[Sonny]

My thoughtsPorn) IS NEVER OKAY. I think it's about the most demeaning thing to women EVER.

You're confusing pornography (which is a Greek word meaning pictures of *****s) with rape and sexual assault.

The former is about voluntary sex and not necessarily demeaning to the performers.

Whereas the latter is involuntary sex and always (the most) demeaning (EVER) to borrow some of your words.

[rcoreyus]

Almost. I am dark haired. The rest I need to work on.......

What, that's not you! I guess you are just blond haired, handsome, dangerous man in a silk shirt in the rain.

[Stephanie James]

As someone who is currently working in the porn industry, I can tell you that many people have mistaken ideas about the people who make porn. We're not monsters, crazy or drug addicts. My experience has been positive. Most of the people I've meet are very nice and professional. I haven't seen any exploitation, rape or brutality. There are some messed up people in the business, but isn't that true everywhere? Most messed up people don't succeed in the business. The great majority of people I've meet are just like everyone else-except they really like having sex and aren't hung-up hypocrites. There are thousands of us making porn, but millions watching it-including probably you. Why judge us? Judge yourselves.

[rcoreyus]

Input from someone in the industry is really valuable in discussions like this.

As someone who is currently working in the porn industry, I can tell you that many people have mistaken ideas about the people who make porn. We're not monsters, crazy or drug addicts. My experience has been positive. Most of the people I've meet are very nice and professional. I haven't seen any exploitation, rape or brutality. There are some messed up people in the business, but isn't that true everywhere? Most messed up people don't succeed in the business. The great majority of people I've meet are just like everyone else-except they really like having sex and aren't hung-up hypocrites. There are thousands of us making porn, but millions watching it-including probably you. Why judge us? Judge yourselves.

[jen1447]

I agree. Welcome, Stephanie.

[Sonny]

I agree. Welcome, Stephanie.

Ah well, one man’s (ahem) meat is another man’s poison.

As such one person’s socially redeeming significance is not another’s.

However as I mentioned earlier the word pornography itself is Greek and means pictures of wh**res.

The Greeks would paint pictures of prostitutes on the outside of their wh**re houses for prospective customers to see no different really than Playboy or Penthouse which is just high price vice for those who can afford to date those models no different really than a lot of Hollywood north or otherwise.

Then as now this sex business, like any sweatshop, exploited and exploits the labor of women…typically poor women from anywhere with limited social and economic choices. No different really than coal mining.

So yes I believe Stephanie James when she says there are a lot of normal people in the porn business, just as I believe there are a lot of normal people in coal mining. But I would not recommend either as a career choice given the health risks associated with them and the fact that there are predatory capitalists and pimps running them who really don’t give a **** about miners or porn stars and who would at a drop of a dime put children to work in mines or films for less if they could because they have and will unless they’re tightly regulated and controlled.

Which is why I enjoy the inter-net: it’s giving the porn pimps of North Hollywood (many of whom are sponsored by the Mob) a run for their money. Their carnivorous business model can’t compete with say some teen taking her pictures for free and putting them out on the worldwide web for any and all to see.

And so maybe just maybe this democratizing effect will lessen the business exploitation and social stigma of people having guilt free enjoyable public or private voluntary sex with whomever they want.