Pornography
“From a criminological perspective, pornography has been investigated in its relationship to criminal behavior or as a form of crime itself. Research on the relation between pornography and crime has primarily focused on the impact which the exposure to pornographic materials has on criminal behavior, especially sexual aggression, rape and violent attitudes or conduct. Some evidence has been presented, since at least the 1960s, that pornography could be harmful to its consumers and, more broadly, to social relations, for instance by leading to higher levels of aggressive attitudes and behavior and by contributing to decreased respect for healthy romantic relationships. In the present era, the existence of such criminal effects, if valid, could take place at an unprecedented level as the internet has enabled many forms of pornography to be readily available to a very wide audience, including many young people. The internet has indeed re-affirmed the role played in pornography by the appearance and development of media of expression, from print to the digital age, and has also qualitatively changed societal views on pornography.
Although a considerable amount of research has been done about the relationship between pornography and crime, it has not produced any conclusive results”(1)
Notes and References
1. Deflem, Mathieu, and Anna Rogers. 2013. “Pornography.” Pp. 734-737 in Encyclopedia of White-Collar and Corporate Crime, Second Edition, edited by Lawrence M. Salinger. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
See Also
- Pornography
- Child Pornography
- Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act of 1977
- Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988
- Child Protection Restoration and Penalties Enhancement Act
- PROTECT Act
Further Readings
- Diamond, Milton. “Pornography, Public Acceptance and Sex Related Crime: A Review.” International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, v.32 (2009).
- Hamilton, Melissa. “The Child Pornography Crusade and Its Net-Widening Effect.” Cardozo Law Review, v.33 (2012).
- Henzey, Michael J. “Going on the Offensive: A Comprehensive Overview of Internet Child Pornography Distribution and Aggressive Legal Action.” Appalachian Journal of Law, v.11 (2011).
- Lehman, Peter, ed. Pornography: Film and Culture. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2006.
- Mackey, Thomas C. Pornography on Trial: A Handbook with Cases, Laws, and Documents. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2002.
- Marcum, Catherine. “Policing Possession of Child Pornography Online: Investigating the Training and Resources Dedicated to the Investigation of Cyber Crime.” International Journal of Police Science & Management, v.12/4 (2010).
- Slade, Joseph W. Pornography and Sexual Representation: A Reference Guide. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2001.
Pornography Legal Status
Introduction to Pornography
Since the beginning of the 20th century, court decisions have generally narrowed the range of pornographic material that can be considered obscene or illegal. Each country has its own approach to the law, however, and there is little international coordination despite the fact that pornographic material can be sent instantly anywhere in the world over the Internet.
Child pornography is illegal in nearly all countries, although enforcement varies across the globe. Most countries agree on the basic definition of child pornography: sexually explicit material made with actual minors, usually under 16 to 18 years of age, as subjects. Some countries, including Canada and Germany, prohibit “virtual” child pornography in addition to the “actual” variety. Virtual pornography comes in two forms: depictions in which adult models are made up to look like children, and artistic or computer simulations of children involved in sexual activity. Laws against virtual child pornography are controversial because they can cover a broad range of material, thus raising concerns about their impact on freedom of expression. In addition, the harm caused by virtual child pornography is less direct and obvious than that caused by actual child pornography. ” (1)
Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (CAN-SPAM) and the Electronic Commerce
Child Pornography in Cyberlaw
Child Pornography and Obscenity
Adult Content in Cyberlaw
Laws Regulating Non-Obscene Adult Content Directed at Children
Obscenity in Cyberlaw
U.S. Jurisdiction, Venue and Procedure in Obscenity and Other Internet Crime Cases
Resources
See Also
- Social Problem
- Crime
- Delinquency
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Delinquent
- Social Issues
- Crime Prevention
Resources
See Also
- Click Fraud
- Copyright
- Cybercrime
- Cybersquatting
- E-Commerce Law
- Internet Advertising
- Internet Contracts
- Internet Defamation
Resources
Notes and References
- Information about Pornography in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia
Guide to Pornography
Pornography Legal Status Other Countries
Introduction to Pornography
Legal approaches to pornography and obscenity vary around the world. Britain, for example, designates something as obscene based on its content and on the way it is distributed. Material is obscene if it is likely to corrupt a typical viewer, based on the medium. Thus, something that is not obscene in print might be obscene over the Internet because of the ease with which the Internet can be accessed. Germany, however, makes no distinction between the Internet and other forums. The German constitution imposes a duty on the German legislature to protect youths’ and individuals’ personal honor against the dangers associated with certain forms of speech, so German laws restrict violent materials as well as obscene materials. Denmark, on the other hand, repealed its obscenity laws in 1969.
Approaches to pornography in non-Western societies vary according to societal norms. In authoritarian regimes such as China and Singapore, materials are very restricted. The Chinese Communist government maintains tight control over expression and normally does not allow distribution of sexually explicit material, especially if the government believes the material is detrimental to the Chinese Communist Party’s notion of a good citizen. Until recently, Japanese law tolerated child pornography; the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) estimated in 1998 that up to 80 percent of Internet sites with child pornography originated in Japan. Prior to 1999, the only Japanese statute prohibiting actual child pornography was very limited in its reach, applying only to children under 13 who filed complaints within six months of an incident. A general criminal obscenity law protected minors over 13, but it also specified that the material must depict sexual organs to be considered illegal. Consequently, pornographic materials in Japan often resorted to showing other sexually oriented depictions of children, including abuse or torture, to avoid running afoul of the law. In 1999, partly in reaction to international pressure, Japan’s parliament passed a new law banning the distribution, sale, or public display of child pornography on the Internet or in other forums, as well as the production or possession of child pornography for the purpose of these activities. Penalties for the violation of the law range up to three years in prison and a substantial fine. However, critics complained that it did not criminalize possession of child pornography for private use.” (1)
Resources
Notes and References
- Information about Pornography in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia
Guide to Pornography
Pornography, Sexual Behaviour and the Law
Further Reading
Hierarchical Display of Pornography
Social Questions > Social affairs > Social problem
Pornography
Concept of Pornography
See the dictionary definition of Pornography.
Characteristics of Pornography
[rtbs name=”xxx-xxx”]
Resources
Translation of Pornography
- Spanish: Pornografía
- French: Pornographie
- German: Pornografie
- Italian: Pornografia
- Portuguese: Pornografia
- Polish: Pornografia
Thesaurus of Pornography
Social Questions > Social affairs > Social problem > Pornography
Leave a Reply