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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that a Europe wide ban on pornography is nuts?

199 replies

ophelia275 · 09/03/2013 11:42

The European parliament is seeking a ban on all pornography across Europe.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/european-parliament-votes-on-call-for-porn-ban-8527229.html

I don't think all pornography is bad and I think it serves as an outlet for both women and men to release anger/sexual frustration etc. I don't think a ban would be a good idea because there would always be ways around it and suppressing pornography would just result in more violence and sexual aggression imo. I also don't think there is anything inherently wrong in looking at naked photos of the opposite sex and satisfies a natural urge.

Sometimes I wonder what the EU is going to try and ban next on the grounds of protecting our rights?

OP posts:
LadyPessaryPam · 09/03/2013 15:07

I agree flatpack, I love the internet, it's designed to withstand nuclear attack and as a side effect can also withstand governments. Wonderfully disruptive of the status quo.

TidyDancer · 09/03/2013 15:11

I agree with those who have said censorship is not the answer etc.

Ridiculous and unobtainable idea to ban pornography from the Internet.

HillBilly76 · 09/03/2013 15:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

flatpackhamster · 09/03/2013 15:40

LadyPessaryPam

I agree flatpack, I love the internet, it's designed to withstand nuclear attack and as a side effect can also withstand governments. Wonderfully disruptive of the status quo.

Let's hope it can also withstand meddling from this vicious attempt by a tiny coterie of extremist MEPs. I don't think that any of us should be surprised that it's a socialist MEP who's trying to censor the press and the internet.

LadyPessaryPam · 09/03/2013 15:43

Yup I am not surprised in the slightest.

OutragedFromLeeds · 09/03/2013 15:53

YANBU

I don't think this sort of censorship is a good thing.

'For one thing many women (and some men too) are forced to endure partners who view porn against their wishes'

and this ^ is mad. You're not forced to endure anything from you partner, you are free to leave. If you're not free to leave, then your problems are much bigger than the fact that your DH/DW looks at porn.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/03/2013 16:34

On this point, "I don't think all pornography is bad and I think it serves as an outlet for both women and men to release anger/sexual frustration etc."

The opposite is true. I have worked with sex offenders and they will frequently set themselves up to offend by watching porn, normalising sexual aggression. The fact that porn is rarely lovely, consensual, great for both parties sex means that the images they see on screen reinforce their offending.

I can't see how a ban would work. However, I'm all for a world without nasty, misogynist porn.

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2013 16:38

"The fact that porn is rarely lovely, consensual, great for both parties sex"

I have only ever seen porn that is consensual and where the girl seems to be enjoying herself as much as the guy.

What have you been watching? It sounds like rape. Play-acting, I hope.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/03/2013 16:45

Prostitutes were taught to fake orgasms in Victoria times. I'm sure they 'seemed to be enjoying it' too. I'll say that I haven't seen a lot of porn but through reading about it and a certain amount of study, the impression I get is not that it is not all hearts of flowers. 'Teen', 'barely legal' and there are more... all those terms do not smack of healthy, normal, adult sex.

RedToothBrush · 09/03/2013 16:55

The thing is the evils of porn are something of a separate issue to the issue of internet censorship.

Filters also block a lot of other, perfectly acceptable things. Things that we need in society.

For example, teenagers who are confused about their sexuality and use the internet as a positive tool to learn from. Sites which might help them might be classed as 'pornographic' and closed.

The thing is with all censorship is there is a gatekeeper. Do you trust that gatekeeper? Do you agree with that gatekeeper's definitions and interpretation?

Personally I don't. So no matter what I think about porn, I am opposed to a ban like this. I would prefer if they used resources and will power to crack down on human traffickers and pimps.

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2013 16:56

Porn isn't supposed to be hearts and flowers, nor is it supposed to be "lovely". It is supposed to be titillating. At least some of the problem seems to be with your expectation of it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/03/2013 17:03

I have no expectations of it except that it is frequently a nasty business with victims. There is a difference between titillating and what children are seeing today. Bestiality, anyone? I think the issue is the general move to more and more extreme forms of everything. You can't just show PIV sex it has to be deep throat and anal. Anal is so last week you have to show something more extreme. It is the porn equivalent of stuffed crust pizza with dip. Unhealthy and unnecessary.

Cote you didn't address my point about sex offenders...

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2013 17:06

What is your point about sex offenders? You were saying that porn is not consensual so makes rape seem OK to them. And I said the porn I have seen looks consensual and women seem to be enjoying themselves there.

RedToothBrush · 09/03/2013 17:10

Then deal with stuff if it breaks the current laws. Don't think that a ban will somehow miraculously stop porn that ALREADY breaks the law. Enforce what is already there.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/03/2013 17:12

OK. I'll bite. The problem is not that they are watching rape porn, it is that they are watching porn to set themselves up to offend. Actually, 'consensual' porn could be worse for this in a way. The women are always ready, need no foreplay, never refuse anything, enjoy everything, are always available. There is no issue of consent because there is no lack of consent. Everything is great and the only thing that is important is the male gaze.

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2013 17:14

If they were listening to heavy metal music to "set themselves up to offend", would you think that music should be banned? Confused

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/03/2013 17:15

I didn't say porn should be banned.

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2013 17:16

Many music videos also show scantily dressed & readily available women seemingly gagging for sex. Should those also be banned?

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2013 17:16

It is the subject of this thread.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/03/2013 17:16

Ditto my last post.

morethanpotatoprints · 09/03/2013 17:18

This is quite worrying on several levels. But it can't really happen as how can it be banned when there will always be a market for it? Some people just don't think an argument through. Grin
But just in case I'm off to copy all mine just in case. Could have a little black market business, anybody want to join me. Grin

At least the more responsible producers protect their employees, I have seen several documentaries where they are chaperoned and managed properley like actors and actresses. It would be awful to put them in danger.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/03/2013 17:18

Sorry I didn't realise that I had to narrowly address the OP, just agreeing or disagreeing with it with no comment, further discussion or other opinion. In that case... I can't be arsed.

5madthings · 09/03/2013 17:18

Its about banning pornography in advertising, not banning all porn. The title of this thread is misleading.

TiggyD · 09/03/2013 17:19

What about painted porn like Lucian Freud used to paint? How do you define porn as opposed to art? How about sculpted porn like Micky's David? Are we going to go back to the days of covering up artwork/porn with fig leaves?

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2013 17:20

Not really. First few paragraphs of the article say:

The European Parliament will vote next week on a motion which could lead to a blanket ban on internet porn.

The motion facing MEPs calls for a "ban on all forms of pornography," including in the "digital field"...