Dane,

I don't think the problem is with a particular programme of study; whether it is gender studies, education or sociology (I say with qualifications in the latter, along with politics and philosophy). The problem is with the attention to reasoning and evidence, both are often lacking in what you've called 'advocate' research. After all it was sociology, via Durkheim, which really pushed the necessity of empirical rigor in the field of social inquiry.

A problem, I believe, lies with entrenched academics of dubious merit who haven't ensured that their students are of sufficient competence, and the editors of OnlineOpinion who ultimately responsible for publishing the piece.

Runner “Funny how those who want to continue to perve on women and men in slavery are totally blinded to the obvious outcomes.”

Maybe you could “flesh” that statement out a bit.

Put some substance to it, which we can them challenge.

People who make obtuse posts to forums should not bother, if they cannot stand behind them or effectively communicate what they mean.

Diver Dan “Again, the comments from the protagonist of the sex industry, or the “champions of fools” in this forum,”

Labeling people with derogatory names says more about you than them.

For myself, I believe it is better to be a “champion of free choice” than the dead hand of censorship.

I always pale when dullards come along with ideas to regulate this or ban that for some notion that it is immoral or otherwise injurious based on some subjective notion of “niceness” or belief it has some, invariably “unsubstantiated”, influence on the motivations of others.

Censorship is there to protect children from exposure to things they have lack the cognitive skills to understand or rationally process.

Censorship is an inappropriate process to impose of adults who are perfectly capable of deciding for themselves what pornography suites their personal taste and you and Caroline Norma are none qualified to tell them what they might be permitted.

Col, read your own post and learn by your own “scoldings”. Me; I am forever the sectarian on the issue of the sex industry, and proudly so. And Col , what’s your “beef” with drawing decent lines across morality by the use of censorship?

"what’s your “beef” with drawing decent lines across morality by the use of censorship?"

I'm not Col but my beefs with the idea are
- no proof that it achieves worthwhile benefits.
- plenty of historical evidence that censorship can be a tool which when misused can do great harm.
- Some proof that limiting access to good infomation about sexual issues increases the risks of unwanted pregnancies, STD's etc. Those who want to further limit porn often seem to want to limit other information as well.
- Some indicators that improved access to porn may actually reduce the rates of sexual violence by some groups (teenage boys).
- My idea of what a decent line is might be quite different to the line someone else would draw.
- My morality might be quite different to what someone elses idea is. My morality is much more about how people are treated than who puts what where.

I do find it somewhat amazing that our TV, movie and game console screens are filled with images of killing and violence with only minimal complaint but the depiction of the unclothed human body or of human adults engaged in consentual sexual activity provokes such angst.

R0bert

"....adults engaged in consentual sexual activity provokes such angst."

R0bert

She agreed to consensual sex with ONE of them. Are we saying she then asked for what happened?

Actually;....am I missing something here? Does anybody have ANY concern about what this girl went through?

That seems to have been completely lost in the argument about pornography and its effect on behaviour.

I KNOW that is the basis of this topic, but surely while we discuss the why's and wherefore's we have completely forgotten the effect on the victim.

Or are you saying there IS no victim?

A quote from the letters to the editor in the 'The Weekend Australian Magazine' (March 15-16 2008).

"The Porn Report excerpt 'Is it art or is it porn' fails to discuss the impact of pornography on relationships. Of the 1023 respondents to the survey for the research project...46 percent engaged in pornography with their partners. The questions should be asked: How many of these partners participated unwillingly, but do so in an effort to save or preserve the relationship? How many young women pretend to enjoy it, not wanting to appear "uncool" or too prudish? How many are dominated by their partners and are too scared or timid to firmly say, "No". I was one of these wives. The final straw for me was a pornographical DVD my husband brought. When I saw the soulless look in the eyes of the young woman who obviously was coerced, I cut the disk up into small pieces. I no longer tolerate any pornography in our home, but because of his continued interest, our marriage is hanging together by a thread."

More and more young women are refusing to enter into sexual relations with men as they are sick of them trying to ram stuff down their throats, up their vagines, and in the anus. Many of these women lay the blame for this behaviour on porn. You may discuss the pros and cons of banning pornography but this is the real reality.