It would naïve to say that sex does not, in some way, affect each of our daily lives, either directly—as we engage in the unrelenting list of sexual activities (personally or collaboratively)—or indirectly, through absorption of sublime advertisements and media consumption. However, the extent to which we engage in sex may be heavily dependent upon what our family, society, or even personal value systems tell us is “appropriate,” especially for women.
Gloria Steinem, renowned feminist, journalist, and activist, has declared, “Erotica is as different from pornography as love is from rape…as pleasure is from pain. Blatant or subtle, pornography involves no equal power or mutuality.” In reflecting on Steinem’s claims, I have to wonder why pornography—if, in fact, it supports the “conqueror-victim” paradigm, as Steinem asserts—is a multi-billion dollar industry. Further, I wonder why so many women of varying ages involve themselves in this particular industry: Is it an industry that liberates or empowers them? Or, on the other hand, is the industry perpetuating a larger, on-going issue that men and women are simply not equal and there really is an ever-present “conqueror-victim” paradigm, thereby making their submission to these men a choice—or worse, a necessity?
This project will carefully examine in what ways, and to what extent, sex and the ever-growing sex industries (legal and illegal) impact the lives of Americans, specifically women in traditional, heterosexual relationships. In fact, I hope to show that, for many women, pornography is as suppressive as Steinem argues and that, too many times, women have come to equate sexual freedom with feminism and equality, when in reality these extreme behaviors may actually be damaging their very selves—emotionally, mentally, socially, and so on.
About the presenterChristine M. Pierucci
I was awarded my M.A. in English from Rutgers University in 2012. I have taught English and writing at both the secondary and post-secondary levels, including Drexel University, Rowan University, and Rutgers University. In addition to teaching, I enjoy presenting my written work at regional conferences, including the Children’s Literature Association and MAPACA annual conferences. My research interests include American literature and culture; Native Americans; children’s literature, imagination, and play; and the ‘Sexualization of Culture.’