Today our nation is immersed in a culture of pornography. After listening to our class discussion I have found my mind spinning into the potential social realms affected by this controversial issue and began considering popular culture and the beauty industry.
As a loyal viewer of the HBO series, "Sex and the City" I have come to realize the power of unleashing sexual taboos to a wide audience. I love the show because of the friendship, fashion and laughter; however the show itself is a sexual political statement. Although I am Pro Life and conservative on many issues I can still appreciate the humanity and controversy the show brings to life. Both heterosexual and homosexual relationships are portrayed while the empowered female protagonists discuss their professional careers, neurosis and hot topics. Three of the four main characters openly discuss their experience with abortion. Two of the characters experiment with bisexuality while all share the details of what goes on behind bedroom doors. Reaction to the show has been intense. While many appreciate the honesty and reality behind the program, others view the series as a threat to social values.
After six seasons the show has ended, but the debate behind sexuality is only just beginning. I believe freedom of expression is healthy and essential for community growth and human understanding. To build walls and close communication is dangerous and counter productive. Our nation has the opportunity to create progress if we only keep the conversation alive.
On a different note, the rise of porn culture has also created controversy in the realm of beauty. Many women feel that the blonde, big breasted, stick skinny stereotype of beauty is only further promoted within the porn industry. The "Dove Campaign for Real Beauty" has taken action with an overwhelming response from both the national media and consumers. Dove advertisements now feature real women of all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities in their print and television ads. This move was so controversial Oprah featured Dove on her popular program to discuss the power and potential of recognizing authentic beauty in our lives. I myself began buying Dove lotion and soaps because I appreciated their vision and wanted to support the idea that beauty surrounds us and does not fit simply into a single skin color or cup size.
To possess sexuality is healthy and natural. While I do not myself find pleasure from viewing porn I do not feel comfortable judging those who do. We are all responsible for our own choices in life and limiting sexual expression will not solve our social problems. Effectively communicating our ideas will make an immense impact and my hope is for all people to have the opportunity to engage in this thread of dialog.
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2 comments:
I am always amazed when I see the show "Sex and the City;" mainly because it deals with sexuality in such a blatant and seemingly unrestricted way. While there isn't graphic nudity (pronography/erotica), the sexual innuendos and topics blur the line between obscenity and indecency.
I also find it very interesting when I hear critics of pornography say they love the show (Sex and the City), when the issues in the show are just verbal iterations (probably not the right word) of sex. I appreciate your balanced view, and I agree that pornography has changed people's perception of what beauty is for women. However, I also feel that television shows have an even greater impact on these ever changing views, mainly because more people watch tv than pornography.
I did not realize Dove had launched this campaign, but it seems like a great idea. I truely hope it will counteract the effects of other media in making women and young girls feel insecure about their looks, which I think has become a larger and larger problem.
I love watching "Sex and the City"! Even though I've watched all six seasons I'm still drawn to watching it over and over again. I think most of the reason why I do watch it is because the characters blatantly express their opinions about sex, the opposite sex, other women, relationships, etc. I know a few people who hate everything about the show and what it stands for, but I'm thankful and grateful this show portrays WOMENS perspectives about important issues. I love the power of female bonding and real issues women have in conversations with their "girls."
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