Rough, brutal, hardcore – I’m not referring to your latest lockdown work out. These key words make up some of the most popular pornographic searches. Why are so many of us wanting to see violence against women in porn?
According to Vice, it’s “at least twice as common” for women to seek extreme misogynistic sexual content. From pretend non-consensual sex, humiliation and near torture, women face most aggression. There are many theories as to why people find it pleasurable.
Rough sex can enhance orgasms
Research highlighted in Men’s Health reveals men and women can experience “more frequent and intense” orgasms during rough sex. The study found rough sex can also help women orgasm faster. If women like forms of sexual brutality in the bedroom, it’s not surprising they get turned on by watching it in porn.
We can separate sexual thoughts from reality
Lots of women (myself included) enjoy BDSM: handcuffs, blindfolds, choking, spanking. It feels different, exciting, intense. These sexual acts help me stay focused. It’s hard to worry about unloading the dishwasher when a man’s hands are wrapped around my throat.
But to be clear, aggressive acts should be consensual. I believe most women prefer being submissive and they enjoy experimenting with aggressive sex, up to a point that’s comfortable. Hardcore violent porn lets women explore further without experimenting themselves.
The thrill of people reaching their limit
Recently I watched the 2013 documentary, Love & Sex in an Age of Pornography. The film uncovers the impact porn has on everyday sex lives and traces its development. Some porn actors claim violence against women in porn has increased since the 90’s, when people started filming home videos.
One interviewer remarked, “People want to see people pushing themselves… beyond the norm”. Porn can be a safe outlet for dark fantasies. There is however debate on whether certain imaginations can lead to harm. While the billion-dollar porn industry caters to all fetishes, kinks, curiosities, it typically portrays it from a male perspective. Through my research, I haven’t found a clear answer on what impact violent videos (e.g. rape porn) has on people committing these acts.
A piece in The Guardian explains how it’s normal to be “stimulated by the abstract idea of helplessness”. We can separate sexual thoughts from reality – wanting to be held hostage in a dream doesn’t mean you actually hope for someone to capture you.
Pornography desensitises violence against women
A piece in Focus for Health looked at studies which suggest watching porn consistently can alter perceptions. Frequently viewing dark pornography, the publication therefore argue, desensitises people to porn’s violence. The article further explains how the offering of constant “sexual objects, hyperactivates” our system.
Perhaps that’s why people are searching for more extreme videos. To keep ourselves activated, we need to continue watching porn that shocks. And that’s not difficult when countless websites compete for consumer attention. Gone are days when blindfolds and whips enticed taboo arousal. More and more women are interested in ‘fauxcest’ (pretend family roleplay). As couples and individuals are taking on sexual wellness and unveiling the secrecy around vibrators and BDSM, porn has to keep up by going a step ahead.
Anxiety’s increase on sexual arousal
An article on Utah Valley Counselling discusses how research has linked the feelings of anxiety to sexual excitement. The piece explains how anxious sensations such as heart racing can make people feel more alive. And this feeling can be evoked by a violent porn scene. As most porn caters to straight men who want to feel powerful with women, it makes sense that individuals watch more violent female porn rather than male.
Some violence against women is more sinister
I’ve blogged before about racial fetishism and how porn can encourage racial stereotypes. Cosmo publicised how racial porn membership sites have increased since the Black Lives Matter protests. The magazine’s investigations led to numerous racist videos where black women are shown dominated and verbally abused using racist language. So on a darker side, some violence aimed at women gives people permission to act out their racism and sexism through porn.
Violence against women in porn
Being anonymous and accessible, porn opens a door to many taboos like violence against women. Evidence indicates this type of pornography can act as an outlet for deep sexual thoughts but may also fill a void of sexual boredom. I’d argue some aggressive videos offer content for women who enjoy unconventional sex and could help explore desires. With that said, sexual arousal is a complex subject and sometimes we don’t know what drives us to certain interests. It’s tough to decipher what defines violence.
One study suggested women who have experienced sexual abuse may have a disturbed sexual view – making them search for rough porn. But as a Metro piece expressed, this outlook can feel “offensive”. The other consideration as to why women might search for this pornography: an insecurity to perform better or to please their partner.
Whatever your reasons for enjoying, the important thing is to invest in ethical porn. This mean porn which is consensual and supportive of its performers. Pay for porn at a reputable site, look to see if actors and actresses involved are happy to promote on their social media, and anything which seems non-consenting, reeks of revenge porn or appears secretly filmed – best left avoided.
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