Before people start saying, see there are porn magazines for women in the mainstream, Playgirl stopped publishing this January/February. Furthermore, it has a rather interesting context regarding its emergence. Playgirl is a porn magazine that was set up by Feminists, as a counter response to the images and treatment of women in society, such as in Playboy (hence, Playgirl), and the over sexualised female images in porn magazines. Explaining why the Playgirl magazine existed, the then Editor in chief, Michele Zipp said:
"It's 'Entertainment for Women' because there's no other magazine out there that caters to women in the way we do, but we love our gay readers, as well."
Organised Feminist protest in the form of producing our own male porn magazine is something I have argued for in previous blogs, and little did I know that it had actually been done. Furthermore, it is also interesting to note that this was a United States published magazine.
Paul provided me with a Wikipedia link to a list of pornographic magazines for men and women. It is quite telling that there is a categorisation scheme only for the porn magazines marketed for men, as there are so many! The list shows that there are only NINE (To clarify after comments below, this does include homosexual and lesbian porn magazines*) porn magazines for women around the world in total, and only ONE porn magazine in the UK (called Filament), which has only just been launched. However, it is interesting to note that it appears to have a Feminist background too, with a column called 'Ask a Feminist', whilst also stating clearly that it does not discuss traditional women topics such as diets and cosmetics. Maybe, this will be the UK's response to the success of Playgirl. It is a shame that Playgirl had to finish really, and it sadly shows it did not fit the taste of our male dominated culture. To see the difference in numbers between the male and female porn magazines, just simply click on the link above and have a look for yourself, it says it all!
*It is important to note that there are only 2 lesbian porn magazines listed on the link, showing how lesbians themselves have less access to lesbian porn than heterosexual males, again showing strong power divides. Gay men have a wide range of access to homosexual porn too, again highlighting the male dominance in the industry. There has been the suggestion women will just buy this male orientated porn instead, but this does not address the issue that it is not catered towards women's interests. Homosexuality to me, does not subtract from the key issue of exploitation that this industry fosters, mainly towards women. Yes, men are exploited too, but not to the same extent and level women are.
I just thought this was quite interesting to consider. Playgirl was a move I have to support, and it appears with Filament, there may be another attempt to create a Feminist response to the dominance of male orientated porn magazines in the UK.
NB: I do not support or like porn, I just think that a way we can tackle the sexualisation of our world, where women are treat like sex objects, is to beat the industry at it's own game. Thus, by producing male porn magazines and more lesbian orientated magazines, it can highlight the pressures and exposure women have to face daily.
10 comments:
Hmm... does this include gay porn magazines, of which there are lots? Is the problem here perhaps that it is men who are interested in porn, generally, and women that are not?
In which case, it would explain why there are loads and loads and loads of heterosexual-male-targetted porn magazines and loads and loads and loads of homosexual-male-targetted porn magazine.
Or... are we neglecting the fact that for all intents and purposes a gay porn magazine would cater for heterosexual women in pretty much the same was as a heterosexual-woman-targetted porn magazine. So is the answer an economic one? That it is more cost-effective for the pornography companies to produce gay porn that women would buy, than to spend the effort to produce (and design) porn exclusively for women.
I must admit, I have very little problem with pornography. I know I'm a man, so that might be it. But as long as the industry is regulated, isn't it safe and acceptable? I think years and years ago when the argument was about degredation and exploitation, it had more relevance and I would have agreed. As long as all models are there of their own choice and are well remunerated and have no problem with their profession... is it right to stop them from working for a few years in that profession?
I'll definitely have to comment on this one lol.
Just give me some time.
And I'll be able to EXPLAIN it this time around!
CSLD,
Yes, it does include porn magazines. It is quite telling that lesibans only have 2 porn magazines listed on Wiki (i don't know if that is the exhaustive list, but it must be near) whilst men enjoy a great range of selection to look at lesbian porn. How is that right? Also, gay men have a wide range of porn magazines too, so again, shows how catering for the male needs not the females.
To say that women are not interested is wrong. That is a fallacy constructed by the media. For example, look at this
http://www.metro.co.uk/metrosexual/article.html?in_article_id=52811&in_page_id=8
Yeah, but the fact is they aren't targeted at them! The articles and things around it aren't catereing for them. Of cause you can buy it but it gets around the fact its not really advertiesd for them.
The industry regulated?:S lol.
Can you please explain how the argument is no longer about degradation and exploitation? That is the key to my argument, that this is central to the porn industry.
I don't think there has been a change, its an exploitative and corrosive industry.
K.M,
haha, i look forward to that lol!
I stand corrected on my first point suggesting that women weren't interested in porn. :)
I still think it would be business factors making the choices, rather than an inherent sexism (as well as an inherent sexism might be a better way to say it?). After all, let's say we were business people. Let's say we both are given £1,000 to publish a new pornographic magazine. You choose to cater specifically for heterosexual women interested in men. I choose to cater for the gay community, which I hope will pull in women who have to choose my "publication" because it is the only way they can have access to anything that remotely interests them. I target a known, existing audience. You target an audience that is very difficult to pin down. Logic would say my magazine makes more profit, and yours fails.
Now... where we might be able to make a persuasive argument on a business level is this. You are given £1,000 as am I. I go for the typical gay magazine hoping to get women to read it to bump my profits up a bit. You however, decide to only use models you have checked for mental health wellbeing; that it is all voluntary; that they are filmed/photographed in clean and safe environments; that they are not facing any pressure or abuse in any shape, way or form. In a way (and I say this without a trace of a joke, although it will sound like it is, please don't think I am!), you introduce a "Fairtrade" pornographic magazine, self-regulated with models that do not suffer the usual problems that models suffer. You also manage to attune your magazine towards women, and maybe you then shift the uptake towards your magazine. Maybe gay men start buying your magazine instead of mine, because of the ethical dimension.
In that, we'd have business forces working to move towards a more equal, more safer pornographic industry.
Moving on from issues of women-focused magazines, to the issue that is of most interest to me (not saying women-focused magazines don't interest me!). You challenged my view that the pornographic industry is no longer exploitative and corrosive. I'll accept that it remains so then, since I (regrettably) have no evidence either way.
In that case, rather than banning pornography (which is illiberal) or letting it remain the way it is (which is wrong for any exploited models), would you support maybe a system of regulating the way models are treated? Maybe not by laws, but by maybe doing something similar (as I touched on above) to the Fairtrade branding? Maybe a "Clean Treatment" branding?
It would hardly be as popular as the Fairtrade campaign, but would protect the women and men who are models in the industry, whilst allowing the rights of the individual to buy pornography if they wish.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. And thank you for the fascinating blog post. It's really made me think about an issue I've never considered before. But then, that's why I read your blog in the first place! :D
~Ol
As seen in the update to my blog, I am currently devising an approach to the Porn-Graph much in semblance and deviation to Lacan.
Thus far I have partial notes and a title; "Pornography; an Exposition into the Physiognomy of the Real".
Your response has led me back to my aspirations of the psychanalytic domain. Although much of what I written so far may or may not be suitable for our discussion.
Are you somewhat familiar with Lacan in general and psychoanalytic terminology?
I may just post it to my blog and see if you should respond. I wouldnt want to impose a reply unworthy of the political dimensions.
CSLD,
:) You do indeed lol.
Well i agree that economically it might do better, but i do think that has its route in the actual dominance of men in institutions of power etc, that make them feel as they have more right to involve themselves in this type of exploitation. I think you were right to say as well as inherent sexism, as i feel that there is no real desire from men to publish women originated porn magazines. Lets face it, you have recognised women watch porn, so why would there be no market?
Well a fair trade magazine might be all well and good, but i don't think it gets around the main exploitation. Furthermore if we are honest, if we got rid of those dimensions you were talking about, would the porn industry really work the way it does now and sell? I really can't see a way of regulating such a sick business, i personally would prefer it to just die out lol, but i know that isn't very liberal, and i have to put up with it. So yeah, working towards safer guidelines for models may be a way to reduce exploitation, but as long as porn exists there always will be some exploitation.
I am glad you agree that the porn industry is exploitation. Ha, before i just read your comment about regulation i said the same thing above lol. I agree, that some form of regulation would possibly help reduce the exploitation, but as said above, would not remove it.
Aww thankus:) I am glad you liked it, much appreciated. Thanks for your comments, it is an interesting debate.
K.M,
Thanks for the comment. I am not aware of the Lacan, it sounds intersting, could you expand it further please? I will have a look at your blog, and see if i understand it:)
haha "the Lacan"
there may be no hope for the reply.
although the unintentional inspiration is much appreciated.
lol
ah
actually, Lacan is a man aint he?
Am i right?
Yes Mam
Lacan is a man in the least formal sense.
I think I have heard his name before, but don't know anything about him.
Sorry about that lol.
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