Internet, its worst content

THE internet presents itself in the form of pictures, voice, videos and printed words to millions of people on a day to day basis. The internet has some good and bad content. Some of its worst content is pornographic material. While people have a choice and right to watch what they want, the effects of pornography on an individual society and globally might be quite damaging especially to the young who might have access to pornographic material.

Some scholars have argued that pornography has a degrading effect on women and that it allows for the objectification of women. Actually the book, “Taking Sides Clashing Views on Controversial Moral Issues,” points out that pornography can be a causal factor in crimes against women.

There are some who might argue that seeing a video or movie of a woman being raped does not necessarily mean that the same person will go out and also rape a woman.

Some people may also argue that pornography has a potential of influencing one’s behaviour. So the main thrust here is not what pornography causes or brings about, but what it is.

Author Ronald Dwarkin asserts that people should be able to choose what is morally acceptable to them.

According to Rove Langton people should not deny the fact that pornography depicts women as sexual objects, commodities enjoying pain or humiliation or rape, being tied up, bruised or physically hurt in postures of sexual submission.

Pornographic material presents women in varying scenarios of degradation, torture and women are forced to take commands from men.

The definition of pornography which is, “the graphic sexually explicit subordination of women in pictures or words” also helps to explain the facts above.

Actually, some authors have argued that pornography perpetuates subordination which later on is used by society to manipulate women and view them as inferior and objects that can be beaten, raped and insulted.

While this is true, the problem is that many people like pornography and are interested in reading and watching it. The negative spill over effects of pornography are quite alarming both to adults and to the young, especially the teenagers.

There has been print media coverage of teenagers who actually practise pornography and their future can be ruined forever.

The sexual imagery portrayed by pornography may actually facilitate a new generation of young men who in the end can rape women without even knowing that they are raping them.

After all, studies of sexual violence point out that men often refuse to take no for an answer. Due to the nature of silence within women, such rape cases are usually not reported. Pornography therefore strips women of the power to act and report and is likened to slavery of women.

Other authors maintain that pornography is violence against women that has been legitimated as sex.

A testimony that can be given by a woman in court about rape and sexual harassment is comparable to the same testimony that can be given by a woman used during pornographic sessions.

Globally, people, in general have reservations when it comes to nude pictures of women in commercial advertisements and surely this cannot be compared to pornography. If women can protest against nudity then pornography has a more damaging effect.

The issue of the morality base of an individual plays a pivotal role in terms of pornography as a person has the right to watch (or not) what is moral to him or her. Moral competence however differs from person to person. While most of us know what is right, it is a struggle to do what we know is right.

Advocates of moral values maintain that if all people of the earth share a small list of critical principles in common, together we will be better to make decisions that could determine the survival of the planet.

What is universally acknowledged as moral includes distinguishing right from wrong, recognition of responsibility, reciprocity, the ability to empathise, self-respect, and self-discipline, acceptance of personal responsibility, respect and caring for others.

Use of women in pornographic productions is lack of respect of the other species rendering the women vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse.
It is the respect of oneself and others that culminates in a high degree of integrity and humanity.

Vaidah Mashangwa is the provincial development officer for Bulawayo in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development. She can be contacted on 0772 111 592, 09889224 or e-mail [email protected]