What’s Wrong with Porn?

Yesterday I decided to try something for the first time, no I am lying to you, I’ve tried it many times before: I went to watch porn. Not just for my viewing pleasure, but because I was actually interested in watching. 

Everyone watches porn. No, stop, you know you do. Porn is one of those polarizing topics, such as abortion, that once mentioned, people quickly form teams and very strict options. Sometimes I think that the porno I am watching is awful and in bad taste- no one actually makes sounds like that. And as a sex educator, I know it’s very unlikely a woman is orgasming in such a position.  Then other times, I think it can be liberating and exciting. I see things that I never imagined or tried before, of which I then make a note to discuss it with my partner during our next sexual tryst. 

I don’t dare believe that all porn is created equal. There are some awful people out there that have created videos that are not consensual, filled with respect nor have the best intentions. But from what I gather from the various sex workers I have met and doing some research on the topic, most porn videos we watch are discussed well in advance and all parties are healthy and ready to get it on (in?). 

With that in mind, I choose to think that porn is a good way to experiment and to see what is out there. From the media we get images of heterosexual couples doing it in the missionary position- hella boring if you ask me and definitely not the position for mutual pleasure (for most hetero couples). Why don’t we talk about it? I am pretty sure I started writing this post to boost metrics for my blog because I knew if I said “porn” a lot of people would start to freak out (sorry, Mom and Dad). 

But let’s be honest with ourselves: if everyone is doing it, then why are we so afraid to share? I started, now you tell me why we can’t have a water cooler discussion about the latest porn flick we watched over the weekend. 

(For a response, read here!)