But often it’s not. Many porn workers are not freely consenting adults, but people who have been forced into the position.
Millions of people around the world are forced into the sex/porn “industry” including thousands in North America (that web page goes over just those who contacted a certain hotline–there are likely many more).
Pornhub is becoming notorious for its exploitation of women:
- Pornhub was sued by 40 victims of Girls Do Porn;
- Mia Khalifa’s story is well-known and quite tragic;
- Pornhub has long benefited from videos of rapes and child pornography;
- Here’s another personal story.
Yes, there is probably consent involved most of the time, but enough of the time there isn’t that you never really know when you’re watching porn whether it’s consensual or not.
Beyond that, however, it objectifies women by its very nature. People used to consensually sell themselves into slavery, but that didn’t make it OK. I don’t see why it’s OK to objectify other people whether or not they consent. It’s impossible to watch porn and see the actors/performers in their full humanity, as ends in themselves and not just means to one’s personal pleasure. The same goes for prostitution. Not to mention that porn can be addictive, like anything that creates a dopamine rush, and often does create dependencies, as I have seen in several people (and have heard about in many more).
So what are you suggesting? That we abolish the sex industry altogether? What’s next? Subject all human beings to hormone-inhibiting drugs unless it’s with the express purpose of procreation?
Another reason I believe porn should be destigmatized is because once you decide to enter the world of pornography that pretty much closes the possibility of moving on and doing something else, although there are a few stories of performers who left the industry and have had successful post-porn careers, such as Sunny Leone and Sasha Grey.