The “against Indian culture” farce is often used by agencies in India to further arbitrary action that lacks in reason and research. The latest in the slew of bans by the Modi government is the ban on pornography – a hotly contested topic among feminist circles.
Initial response
Some feel that banning pornography will have the counter-intuitive effect of increase in sex offences:
This is by far the most self-deprecating argument that scores of men are buying into. A literal translation: “all men are born rapists who will jump on a woman the first excuse they get, in this case – lack of porn”. This is rape culture 101.
Allow a feminist to remind you that you are rational, capable human beings who understand that the lack of “relief material” is no reason to force yourselves upon someone. Cleavage, chowmein or pornography does not cause rape. Rapists cause rape – let that be clear.
Moving on, let’s get another thing out of the way: what an individual does in their bedroom is no one’s business. Certainly not the government’s. But in a country where LGBTQ individuals do not have the right to a dignified life, the ban is hardly a surprise.
The debate that never happened
Anyone who has had the pleasure (pun intended) of visiting a porn website will agree that most of it is highly degrading to women. Everything from the language to the actual ‘act’ uses a dynamic that objectifies women right to the bone. Some of it is outright non-consensual.
Yet, it is consumed globally just as much as any other commodity. India is, in fact, one of the top 5 porn viewing countries in the world (according to statistics from a now-banned website). Here’s a question worth examining: Why do we promote an objectifying industry by actively producing and consuming its product? The answer lies partly in its origin.
Inside the industry
Sexually explicit material in terms of art and writing has existed for centuries (cue: Khajuraho Temples), but the commercialisation of the ‘adult movie’ is an American phenomenon that began in the 1920s. It continued right through the post-war era, in tandem with the growing culture of global consumerism. The adult movie ‘industry’ – as it is commonly referred to in the US – is now placed somewhere between $8 billion – $13 billion annually.
For it to be called an industry, it must adhere to some standards. In spite of health guidelines for workers in the adult movie sector in California, the state has reported numerous HIV-AIDS related deaths of porn actors from the 1980s till as recently as 2013. Other STDs are regularly reported. This is unsurprising as most productions are brazen in their depiction of unprotected sex.
According to testimonies of various actors and ex-pornstars – coercion, threat, use of force, deception and abuse of power are not uncommon in the porn industry. Many films feature underage actors who claim to be consenting adults.
Our brain on porn
Ample research on the psychology of pornography reveals that its effects mimic those of stimulant drugs. Continued exposure leads to an increase in tolerance, causing long-term or even permanent neuroplastic changes. It leads to a loss of control, causing compulsion – making users seek it out in spite of negative consequences. Increased visual tolerance means that users find reality boring and less stimulating. Frequent users report finding their mate less attractive.
Pornography also has profound consequences on a user’s sexual tastes and desires. The content viewed on film influences the user’s expectations from their partner. Teenaged viewers often use pornography as the first real introduction to sex, without the knowledge that those participating are ‘performers’ or ‘actors’. The porn industry’s aggressive objectification of the female anatomy impacts the mind of young viewers, further cementing the degradation of women perpetuated in popular culture.
Proponents argue that most actresses are not coerced into entering the industry. This is easily countered by the fact that consent is not always actively granted, and often manufactured. The media plays a massive role in persuading people into accepting, without active coercion, their own degradation. The fixation with gender-roles, obsession of people with “ideal” bodies, and the objectification of women’s bodies and men’s financial credentials are all oppression systems that we consent into.
In spite of this knowledge (or the lack thereof) we actively consume pornography. When seen as a commodity meant for mass consumption, pornography fits the bill perfectly. It is addictive, harmful, affects relationships, does not adhere to safety guidelines, seems a “necessity”, distorts natural sexual behaviour, perpetuates patriarchal structures, and fetches billions to its creators.
Pornography is, in simple words, a textbook mass-produced commodity that has its users hooked and craving for more.
Is the Indian govt. then correct in banning porn?
The art of banning
If it were a women’s safety concern, it would have been brought before the Parliament, discussed among citizen groups and debated in the media. Its effects would’ve been discussed after citing suitable scientific evidence. Public opinion would’ve been gauged and the matter given due attention.
Instead, it was sneakily banned overnight in spite of the Chief Justice of India’s reservations on the matter. Given this approach, the ban seems to stem more from a desire to repress public sexuality and the age-old exasperation with “western influence”, rather than a concern for anyone’s well-being.
As long as the govt. of India slaps one ban upon another, it will stay true to its role as the self-appointed chaperone of the people.
A govt. that feels entitled to encroach upon every conceivable right of its citizens – right from what they eat (beef and instant noodles) to social commentary (the Nirbhaya documentary) and what they do in their bedrooms (viewing pornography) – is an institution that needs to be monitored closely.
This patronizing attitude discredits the abilities of the citizens to think and decide rationally for themselves. It is only amplified by the brazen disregard for the opinions of stakeholders – which, in the case of the documentary and the porn ban – are women’s groups and rape survivors.
If we are really serious about women’s safety, let’s talk about how we raise our boys and girls, right from our honourable MPs to the people in villages. Let’s talk about the absolute imperative – that is gender sensitization and sex education starting at the primary level. These are measures that the HRD Ministry needs to implement on priority basis, after due consideration with experts and stakeholders.
Finally, let’s not be so careless as to use the burning issue of women’s freedom & safety as a mere excuse to dictate public morality.
And let’s promise ourselves one thing: whenever the govt. bans something new, to dump our political affiliations in the bin, and take a step back and examine – what is really happening?
Featured Image Credit: tech.firstpost.com
