The feminist case against pornography: A review and re-evaluation
Cawston,Amanda
Cawston,Amanda
Abstract
Despite sustained feminist criticism, the production and consumption of pornography does not show signs of waning. Here, I offer a critical review of the existing feminist anti-pornography debate, arguing that it has largely failed to provide suitable grounds for a stable and comprehensive critique, instead often indirectly providing theoretical resources for pornography to reinvent itself. This is a product, in my view, of a misguided focus on the pornographic object. Feminist critics are better served, I argue, by redirecting their critical gaze towards the consumers of pornography, and, in particular, to the attitudes such consumption reflects. To that end, I introduce an alternative, attitudinal approach that enables criticism of pornography as a reflection of sexist attitudes, as well as for its role in concealing these attitudes.
Description
Date
2019
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Keywords
pornography, prostitution, feminism, sexism, attitudes, SDG 5 - Gender Equality
Citation
Cawston, A 2019, 'The feminist case against pornography : A review and re-evaluation', Inquiry, vol. 62, no. 6, pp. 624-658. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020174X.2018.1487882