Porn 101: Eroticism Pornography and the First Amendment

by James E. Elias (Editor), Veronica Diehl Elias (Editor), Vern L Bullough (Editor)

Overview

Is the sex depicted in pornographic movies a reflection of what happens in real life? Do such movies exploit their female and male actors? Should pornography be held responsible for misconceptions about women and sex, or for violent behaviour in men? What is obscenity? What is the difference between the erotic, the pornographic, and the artistic? Should society heed the constant calls for censorship, or is pornography a form of speech that, though objectionable to some, is deserving of Constitutional protection? These questions and more in the controversial pornography debate are pondered in this wide-ranging collection of essays by both scholars and those who work within the porn industry, from actors and actresses to directors and writers, including even top First Amendment attorneys. The effects of pornography on its audience - one of the most heated topics - are examined in depth with all available international data, while tell-all stories from behind the scenes of the industry provide unique insight into porn's production. An all-inclusive volume, Porn 101ranges from gay to straight pornography, from sadomasochism to phone sex, and includes discussion of the special issues raised by child pornography.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781573927505
Publisher:	Prometheus Books
Publication date:	10/01/1999
Pages:	616
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.42(d)

About the Author

James E. Elias, Ph.D., is a lecturer in the Sociology Department at California State University Northridge.

Veronica Diehl Elias, Ph.D., is professor emerita in the Sociology Department at California State University Northridge and a licensed M.F.C. Counselor in the State of California. 

The late Vern L. Bullough, Ph.D., D.Sci., R.N., the author or editor of over fifty books and an internationally recognized sexologist, was the founding director of The Center for Sex Research at California State University, Northridge (CSUN); professor emeritus of the History Department at CSUN; and formerly dean of social and behavioral sciences and a distinguished professor at the State University of New York College at Buffalo. After retiring, he served as a visiting professor at the University of Southern California from 1993 to 2003. 

Gwen Brewer, Ph.D., is professor emerita in the English Department at California State University Northridge. 

Jeffrey J. Douglas, J.D., is a nationally recognized spokesperson and attorney for the adult entertainment industry.

Will Jarvis is an actor and activist in the erotic entertainment industry.

Editorial Reviews

Sexologists, a sociologist, literary scholars, and representatives of the adult entertainment industry grapple with such questions as whether screen sex is anything like real life, whether movies exploit actors and actresses, whether pornography should be held responsible for misconceptions about women and sex or for men's violent behavior, what obscenity is, and whether pornography is a form of speech that should be protected by law. The pictures are grainy black-and-whites. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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