The recent rise of 'mommy porn' raises an interesting question, you should pardon the pun. Why is it when men men engage in one handed reading, it's called porn, but women, we read erotica? Is there a difference? Pornography is defined as '
material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement'. The definition of erotica is 'literary or artistic works having an erotic theme or quality'. (Thank you Merriam-Webster). Porn is kind of like art. I may not know what is, but 'I know it when I see it'. The quality of porn is often such that you might have a difficult time identifying any artistic quality. Some would say the same thing about erotica. Here's a shock: men and women are different. I know. I was surprised as well. Does that mean women don't like porn? Umm, no. A lot of women do enjoy it. A lot more do when they're being honest with themselves. Do men like erotica? Of course they do. One key difference is men tend to be a little more goal oriented. The men I've spoken with say they use 'adult imagery' ahem, to assist in self amusement. Women are more given to creating/enjoying a fantasy, they may of may not include self amusement. Is one goal more lofty than the other? Not really. We view things as we are, not as they are. Vive la difference. We we read, what we watch, as long as it is withing the parameters of legality and consent, is our business, at least as of this writing. That may be subject to change. We can have the discussion about how porn victimizes women, but I'll save that one for another post. Personally, I'd argue it victimizes men just as badly, if not a little worse. I like to think erotica is a little different. Feel free to comment.
