Pornography: Women, Violence and Civil Liberties

by Catherine Itzin (Editor)

Does freedom of speech always play a more important role in society than the civil rights of certain members of that society? Is pornography an excuse to publish acts of violence? Many respected writers, both men and women, have contributed to this definitive collection of essays concerning pornography. Each has an individual view, but they all hold two beliefs in common: a passionate opposition to censorship and a vehement conviction that until pornography is eradicated, women's status can never be equal to men's. Thoroughly researched and passionately argued, these essays examine the possible causal links between pornography and rape, child abuse, and sexual inequality. Material from soft-porn to snuff movies is analyzed. This work includes interviews with alleged victims of pornography and professionals who have treated the alleged perpetrators of pornography-related violence. Contributors include Andrea Dworkin, Michael Moorcock, Catherine MacKinnon, James Check, Susanne
Kappeler, Diana Russell, John Stoltenberg, Corinne Sweet, Tim Tate, and Ray Wyre. The Case Against Pornography is an important contribution to the anti-pornography debate.

Genres: Feminism

654 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very difficult read.
Not only because of the research data and formal language used, but because the violence and crimes described and shown as examples are simply horrifying. I'm a horror fan but this surpasses 'scary'.
The fact that this was published in 1992 and very little has changed for victims of sexual violence, is telling.
I highly suggest you follow the incredible and taxing work of Laila Mickelwait, she's a brilliant activist and lawyer who's taking on P*r*hub and trying to get justice for all the victims. Catherine MacKinnon and her contemporaries paved the way, but the fight is far from over.
No wonder women are tired.
✊️✊🏻✊🏽✊🏿

[Teamhair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the articles a tad repetitive, the Editor could have selected about half the articles in each section and not lost anything in terms of content. Stolenberg's article on pornography, homophobia and male supremacy is insightful. Overall a thought-provoking treatment of Civil Liberties in the area.

[Michael Hamdan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too academic in tone for my taste, but very informational about the violence and objectification created by Porn and its effects on women, sexuality, and equality. It has a mix of collected law essays that aim to define Pornography and its harm. Throughout the book, it mentions the ordinance created by noted feminists Andrea Dworkin and Catherine McKinnon against Pornography. I read this book to learn more about the feminist movement against Pornography and came away convinced of its harm overall on society. I gave it two stars, because the readability is dense and dry. However, great for building a foundation of understanding for feminist and women's rights.

[Boxhuman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kappeler, Baker and Stoltenberg stood out the most. I lean towards more to sex-positive feminism when it comes to pornography, but there were still interesting points brought up. The most interesting would probably be Stoltenberg's about gay male pornography. It's a good back up for what Kendall also said in his book.

[Ulmiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knjiga je spisana izredno prepričljivo. Čeprav se z večino zaključkov v zbirki ne strinjam, pa moram priznati avtorjem dovršenost in celovitost argumentov.