What is pornography?
Topics:
Defining Pornography
Embracing Paradox
Sexual Values & Goals
Everybody thinks they know what pornography is. In 1964, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously said of “hard-core” pornography in Jacobellis v. Ohio:
“I know it when I see it.”
This now-iconic quote reflects both confidence and ambiguity. It points to the assumption that pornography is easy to identify, while also acknowledging the deeply subjective nature of what arouses or offends.
🕰️ A Brief History
Greek Roots
The term pornography has been used in English since the mid-19th century, derived from the Greek words pornē (“a harlot”) and graphein (“to write”). Originally, it referred to writing about or depicting prostitution, used in cultural discourse, not necessarily moral condemnation.
Pompeii and the Victorian Reaction
The rediscovery of Pompeii’s erotic art played a significant role in shaping modern views of obscenity. Public sexual imagery in ancient Rome shocked Victorian sensibilities, leading to the suppression of such material and the development of legal standards for “decency” (Moore, 2007).
Print to Pixels
Sexual imagery has existed throughout human history—from prehistoric cave art to Renaissance frescoes, religious texts, and beyond. As technology evolved, access to such imagery widened:
Printing press (1440)
Photography (1840s–50s)
Moving pictures (1887)
Stag films (early 1900s)
Pin-ups (1940s)
Erotic magazines (1950s–80s)
VHS tapes (1980s)
Internet and streaming (1990s–present)
Technology often evolves faster than society’s ability to regulate or understand its impact, creating long gaps between exposure and healthy frameworks for response.
📖 A Working Definition
According to Merriam-Webster, pornography is:
“Material (such as books or photographs) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement.”
“The depiction of acts in a sensational manner to arouse a quick, intense emotional reaction.”
From this, we can identify three core components—what I call the three “I”s of pornography:
Information – The presence of sexual content or themes.
Intent – The material is created to elicit sexual arousal.
Impact – It provokes an intense emotional or physical response in the viewer.
By examining these three aspects—what’s being shown, why it was made, and how it affects us—we can better evaluate whether a piece of content aligns with our personal or shared values.
👀 Individual Experience and Cultural Context
What qualifies as pornography is shaped by culture and upbringing. For example, nudity in some Amazonian tribes is normal, not erotic. In contrast, cultures that hide or shame the body may find even slight exposure highly sexualized. In Mormon* culture, the playful term “shoulder porn” has even emerged—highlighting how modesty standards can sexualize even normally unremarkable body parts.
Today, the word “porn” is used far beyond erotic content. We hear terms like food porn, house porn, or lifestyle porn to describe content that’s visually indulgent or obsessively desirable.
The same imagery can evoke vastly different reactions—lust, guilt, shame, curiosity, inspiration, or connection—depending on personal and cultural context. Content intended to inform or inspire may be interpreted as obscene, while content designed to titillate may be consumed mindlessly.
🎥 Mainstream Pornography and the Adult Industry
When people refer to “porn,” they’re often talking about mainstream, commercial pornography—produced for profit, typically featuring exaggerated fantasies, unrealistic narratives, and a focus on male pleasure. This is the industry that has produced:
Stag films
Porn magazines
Exploitation films
“X”, “XX” and “XXX” films
Online “tube” sites
This commercial model has played a dominant role in shaping sexual scripts and expectations, especially in the digital age.
❓ Questions to Consider
When discussing sexual imagery with yourself, your partner, your children, or others, consider asking:
Information
What is the content and context of the imagery?
What messages, ideas, or themes are being expressed?
Intent
Who created and distributed it, and for what purpose?
What is the viewer seeking?
Impact
How does the material influence the consumer?
How does it align with one’s personal values or relationship agreements?
🧠 Concluding Thoughts
Defining pornography is more complex than it may seem. Cultural context, personal values, technology, and individual experience all influence how we perceive and respond to sexual imagery.
Rather than applying blanket judgments, we benefit from asking deeper questions: Why am I drawn to this? What effect does it have on me or my relationships? Does this align with my values or lead to avoidance, fantasy, or disconnection?
As you reflect on your use of sexual imagery—or support others in doing so—this clarity can help you move toward more intentional, value-aligned choices.
And if you’re wondering what that looks like?
Well… as Justice Stewart once said, you’ll know it when you see it.
📚 References
Lattman, P. (2007). The Origins of Justice Stewart's 'I Know It When I See It'. The Wall Street Journal.
Moore, M. (2007). Pompeii's Erotic Art and Victorian Culture. Victorian Web
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Pornography
Robinson, S. (2010). Defining Pornography. Social Sciences Journal, 10(1), Article 15.
Weiss, R. (2020). The Evolution of Pornography. Psychology Today.
* Note: “Mormon” is the slang or common term used for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the church’s official name).
