Anti-Porn: The Resurgence of Anti-Pornography Feminism

by Julia Long

Anti-porn feminism is back. Countering the ongoing 'pornification' of Western culture and society, with lads' mags on the middle shelf and lap-dancing clubs in residential areas, anti-porn movements are re-emerging among a new generation of feminist activists worldwide.

This essential new guide to the problems with porn starts with a history of modern pro and anti political stances before examining the ways in which the new arguments and campaigns around pornography are articulated, deployed and received. Drawing on original ethnographic research, it provides an in-depth analysis of the groups campaigning against the pornography industry today, as well as some eye-opening facts about the damage porn can do to women and society as a whole.

This unique and inspiring book explains the powerful comeback of anti-porn feminism, and it controversially challenges liberal perspectives and the mainstreaming of a porn culture that threatens to change the very nature of our intimate relationships.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Sexuality, Pornography, Politics, Philosophy

246 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2012

About the author

Dr Julia Long is a radical lesbian feminist activist, lecturer and author. Her research interests include feminist theory and practice, male violence against women, media representations of women, gender and the politics of sexuality, and social movements and activism.

Reviews

[Dan Sharber · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was more compelling than i expected but ultimately it was not convincing. this sort of stemmed from two specific things: a strict adherence to patriarchy theory (specifically that it is basically all men against all women all the time) and an inability to make the causal link from porn to every other form of objectification. it was not clear that porn is THE main issue to attack. on the up side, this book made me think a lot. long did a good job of showing that anti porn feminists were not simply right wing conservatives and a good job demolishing arguments around individual empowerment for women via porn and other sex work. her arguments about sexulization and pornification i thought were right on and very terrifying. but again it did not seem to be a compelling reason why feminist activism should focus on porn right now. i think there could've been a more fruitful analysis had the author been more interested in capitalist commodification of basically every aspect of human existence (including sex via porn etc) and the way the experience is mangled in the process and sold back to us in a generic and debased form. but as i said above, long's framework is patriarchy theory. i think a marxist feminist analysis of porn could be much more clarifying. i think the pornification of everything (or raunch culture) is a terrible and massively destructive phenomenon that needs to be fought pretty much daily. but i think an anti capitalist analysis might point to different venues of struggle that are elided by a strict patriarchal view of the world. over all though i found myself agreeing more with this book than i thought i would. i'd say it is very worth reading if you want to explore the issue of porn. it will definitely make you think.

[Trevor Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on Dr. Long's doctoral thesis, but it's not so academic that it's unapproachable. She spells out why radical feminists oppose the pornography industry; gives a history of debates about pornography within feminism; describes the dynamics of radical feminist anti-pornography activism and analysis; outlines the pornographication of mass culture; and offers a vision for continuing feminist struggle against pornography.

The books focuses on England, by the way.

[Anastasia Sijabat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Long reminds me much of Kate Millett: a radical feminism theorist whose academic leaning is influenced by real life activism. The unshakeable fervor bleeds through their words.

As someone who opposes porn on an ideological basis, I agree with Long’s theses here. So, full disclosure: I read her book not because I wanna be convinced of her politics, I did because I was already convinced. But despite already believing in anti-libertarian approach she posits here, her critiques against the pro-porn approach in the earlier chapters are enlightening in ideas and powerful in words.

In the later chapters, she examines the movement particular in the UK contexts. Here, some disagreements appeared: unlike her, I find alliance with Christian groups useful, and I don’t think that being a moralist or a conservative is innately wrong. People’s beliefs are not set in stone, and allying with them might in return shift their views towards women’s issues a bit, which is a small win for the feminist movement. Diversification of tactics I think is also paramount especially when we understand that our politics aren’t especially popular and that at times we might need to sacrifice PR as long as we achieve the goal of our movement.

I gave this a perfect rating because Julia Long needs to be properly rated.

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book to expand my knowledge about radical anti-pornography Feminism and I must say that the book has done its job.

Interesting things that can be found in the book:
-Theoretical explanations of the motivations behind the anti-pornography feminist movement (not in too much detail as I think the book is aimed at people who already have some prior knowledge. However, the text is full of quotations that allow, eventually, the deepening of the arguments)
-An historical excursus on the anti-pornography movements (from around the 60s to the present day) + interesting food for thought on how feminist activism worked, and maybe how to make it work + challenges of the anti-pornography feminist movement in today liberal society.

Favorite quote:
"The meaning of our love for women is what we have to constatly expand.
Such a project is hardly conservative: on the contrary, it is recolutionary"

Only one note:
Although it is clear from the title that the focus of the book is to provide an overview of the real anti-pornography feminist movements and not to be a long essay on the anti-pornography theory, I think it would have been useful to include some more theoretical references, especially since those already present were very interesting.

[Sarah Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Academic in tone and structure as one would expect from a book based on a thesis. Long gives a detailed account of 21st century feminist activism in England and the focus on porn. Intelligent and passionate, her commitment to her subject matter screams from the page. It should be a rallying cry to gen z feminists.

[Robin Schmahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on Julia Long’s research for her dissertation, this book offers a thorough examination of anti-pornography activism, with a particular emphasis on the UK. At the same time, it situates this activism within a broader anglophone context—especially in the United States—by providing a useful historical overview of the movement.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its accessible and well-structured discussion of the most common arguments both for and against pornography. These sections serve as an excellent primer for readers interested in the topic, regardless of their cultural or geographical background. Particularly notable is the book’s deconstruction of pro-pornography arguments, which is both incisive and refreshing, especially for those already familiar with the ongoing debates. Alas, the book's arguments against pornography that demonstrate its principal nature as a tool for phyiscal, economic, and cultural exploitation of women (and to a lesser degree men) on a mass scale, is without any doubt completely convincing.

Rooted in a feminist perspective, the book focuses primarily on the harms pornography poses to women and the activism led by women in response. While this focus is valuable and well-developed, the book largely overlooks the implications of pornography—and its feminist critiques—for men. This gap represents a missed opportunity for a more comprehensive analysis.

Overall, this is a thoughtful and persuasive contribution to feminist scholarship and pornography studies. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the ethical and political stakes surrounding pornography.

[Mooncalf]

Sometimes looking at studies or doing studies is helpful when you are trying to decide empirical issues...