Sustainability is a rising Gen Z trend. There is a growing emphasis on sustainability in terms of food, energy, and general lifestyle choices. It might feel like we’ve done our part after buying clothing from thrift stores and eating avocado on toast, but what about porn? PornHub received 42 billion visitors in 2019 alone, which is over six times the global population. Therefore, given the significant use of pornography, it seems like a fitting starting point for a conversation on social sustainability.
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Porn consumption would need to take into account human rights, labor rights, the absence of racism, sexism, or ageism, and demonstrate social responsibility in order to guarantee social sustainability and ethical consumption. It’s reasonable to conclude from this list’s analysis that pornography is absent from each of the previously described categories, but since social sustainability is “largely neglected in mainstream sustainability,” this is sadly not surprising. Furthermore, it is concerning that a recent content study of pornographic films revealed that 94% of all acts of aggression are aimed at women, in line with SDG 5 which aims to “underscore women’s empowerment.” The prevalence of gender-based violence in porn is proof that a harmful discourse—as well as a new reality—is being spread. Consequently, it is not shocking that UNESCO found that males became less sympathetic and more aggressive toward women after watching porn.
If pornographic categories aren’t enough to persuade you, here’s how “women, BAME, and trans people are fetishized and reduced to harmful stereotypes.” Because pornography in its current form might possibly endanger the performer, these preconceptions have an impact on more people than simply customers. Since a job in the sex business often lasts just six to eighteen months, it is naive to think of a career in this field as a stable and long-term source of income. Destroying the unsustainable behaviors that are common in pornography is therefore imperative.
A rising tendency in recent years to try to stop this has been the creation of “feminist-porn.” The goal of feminist pornographers is to provide an atmosphere free from exploitation for everybody. Safe working conditions, celebration of sexual diversity, and respect for performer rights would all be features of this new ethical porn. This unusual porn (without the guilty feeling) seems to be the ideal remedy. Nevertheless, admission to this is paid for; unlike PornHub and other popular porn websites, this type requires payment. It’s difficult to make ethical porn the norm given that only 10% of people pay for it and the stigma that it brings about in society. But as Dr. David Ley points out, people should be prepared to pay for porn if they genuinely desire it. Like everything else, including the food we eat and the clothes we wear, the cheaper something is, the poorer circumstances it was probably created in. With pornography being no different.
Thus, one may argue that government control of pornographic websites and their own policies should be the solution. Like the arguments made in discussions about climate change, a person can only do so much action. It is understandable why dangerous films continue to make their way online given that websites like PornHub seldom ever analyze and filter the 6.83 million videos that are published annually. Governments undoubtedly have a role to play as well. The United Kingdom was supposed to be the first nation to impose age-verification for internet pornography for anyone over 18 as of October 2019. Considering that more than 88% of parents in the UK concur that extensive age-verification measures should be implemented, the plans failed due to a number of privacy and success-related issues. As things are, a number of proposals to stop society from becoming more pornographic have failed.
As a result, each person must decide for themselves what constitutes socially responsible pornographic watching. Offering thorough sex education in schools would be the most appropriate location to begin this task. Although most people have fond memories of their old geography teacher showing them how to wrap a condom around a banana, it’s important for parents and educators to acknowledge the reality of growing up in the digital era. Rather than teaching potentially harmful behaviors through pornography, inclusive sex education may offer a transparent and truthful representation of how to explore one’s sexuality. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of include comprehensive sex education in curricula, including decreased rates of teen pregnancy, improved reproductive and sexual health, and lower levels of STDs. It appears that younger generations also concur on the need of utilizing education. It’s no longer a question of whether or if the porn debate will happen, since 74% of teenagers aged 11 to 18 believe it should be included in sex education classes. Without a doubt, when young people have positive attitudes about sex, they will be able to recognize pornography for what it is: a dream that should be regarded with care.