How do radical and liberal feminists differ in their approach to pornography and why - Essay Example

Radicals believe that pornography should be eliminated (in theory) but liberals do not, they think that women should be free to pursue whatever career choice they want without governmental intervention. Radical feminists have a tendency to overstate and misrepresent the meaning of terms such as rape when describing the consensual pay-for-sex relationship. According to Andrea Dworkin “…the hatred of women is a source of sexual pleasure for men. Intercourse appears to be the expression of that contempt in pure form, in the form of sexual hierarchy” (Dworkin, 2006 p. 175). The radicals believe that pornography is the theory and rape is the practice, a phrase coined by Robin Morgan.

They do, however, make the credible philosophical argument that the aggressive nature of men regarding sexual activity is based on and encouraged by their social upbringing and therefore not biological in nature. Because of this, men’s attitude toward women is capable of being modified with a major societal change being the prerequisite. Most men, to the contrary, consider their sexual appetites and need for more than one sexual partner to be biological, an inherent trait that cannot be controlled even by a major societal alteration of taught behaviour.

Radical feminists counter by saying this notion is flawed and that the attitude of men can indeed be changed. This view has recently enjoyed a degree of credibility. “Biological studies which show that all human behaviors are not necessarily inherited; that many behaviors potentially arise as a function of human cultures” (Bromberg, 1997). Radical feminists view pornography in unambiguous terms that in all instances, violates not only human dignity but human rights as well. Porn actresses are viewed as victims within the same patriarchal culture that has always exploited women.

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