ABSTRACT
The word pornography derives from the Greek terms for “prostitute” and “to write.” Literally translated, it means “depictions of acts of prostitutes” (Linz & Malamuth, 1993). There is no doubt that such depictions have existed in every communication medium throughout history; one of the first responses to any new form of technology is, it seems, to use it to create better sexual imagery. Probably no topic covered by this book excites more frenzied debate than pornography, and whatever I write in this chapter is bound to offend somebody. Does pornography incite men to rape women and children? Should we ban it, and if so, how do you draw the mark between gratuitous depictions of sex and artistic portrayals of lovemaking? Are the effects of using pornography universal, or specific to certain individuals such as paedophiles?
