What is Ethical Porn?
There has been a widening conversation in recent years about the ethics of porn.
More and more, people are scrutinizing not just how often people watch porn or the nature of the content, but the production process behind it.
The porn industry gets a bad rap, and sometimes that reputation is warranted. The sex industry, like any industry, often comes with exploitation and unethical business practices.
Let’s make this clear – we’re not here to judge people who make or watch porn, but instead offer a lens into what makes porn ethical, or not.
Exploitation in Porn
Before we can talk about what makes porn ethical, you first need some background as to what unethical porn is.
Here’s the thing – it’s a grey area. The sex industry is sensitive and often taboo to talk about, so what someone deems ethical changes from person to person. One of the best ways to gauge ethics in porn is how the actors are treated.
The ties between the sex industry and human trafficking have become more widely understood in the past few years. According to a 2017 study, there is an estimated 24.9 victims of human trafficking worldwide. That number has likely grown in recent years. Of those trafficked, an estimated 64% are forced into labor, including about 19% forced into “commercial sexual exploitation”.
Even if a porn production company is not affiliated with human trafficking, there are still many ways they may be lacking in ethics with regards to how they treat their employees.
Porn companies are notorious for preying on young people, specifically women, and getting them into legal contracts that don’t have their best interests at heart.
Sometimes these people are coerced at a young age, drawn in by the lure of money. They then might make a meager amount compared to what they were promised, while big corporations continue using their videos for years to come, without paying them royalties. This all from an industry that profits more than $13 billion annually.
When people go into the porn industry at a young age or out of desperation for money, they are not often aware of or able to take into account the long-term repercussions of having videos of them online. This is not to knock anyone who chooses to go into the sex industry, but it should be the responsibility of the porn production companies to make their actors aware of the risks.
Porn actors are often subject to abuse by people in production, or in the making of the content itself. There are all too many stories of producers not disclosing the nature of the content beforehand, leaving actors without the ability to decline something that is well outside of their comfort zone.
Porn’s tendency to be centered only around male pleasure is another way it can harm those involved in it. Female performers are often degraded and dehumanized, and even if they are being paid for that – it can still be harmful.
The necessity of ethics in porn is often disregarded due to the nature of the industry. Just because people have sex for money, does not mean they are not entitled to the same rights and freedom from harassment and abuse that is expected in other industries.
With all that being said, what makes porn ethical, and how do you find it?
Ethical Porn for The People
Because the porn industry is lacking in regulation and ethical standards, there is a growing trend of people creating “ethical porn”.
These companies have agreed-upon standards that they uphold all employees to. Those involved, especially actors are paid a fair wage, are not coerced into unwanted acts, and have their emotional and physical safety taken into consideration.
They maintain a standard for what happens on set. Meaning there is a base level of respect, understanding, and mutual responsibility for each other. It’s also important that there is enthusiastic consent when engaging in sexual acts.
Ethical porn is typically a lot more realistic and relatable. It’s more likely to show everyday people with stretch marks, body hair, and acne. Scenes you’ll find in ethical porn tend to take the focus away from male pleasure and make it consensual and more fun all around. Many companies focus on inclusivity, including actors that are across the gender spectrum, different body types and sizes, races, ages, and abilities.
How to Find Ethical Porn
While this isn’t always true, you typically have to pay for ethical porn. Either on a subscription or per video basis. This helps to ensure people are being paid fair wages. Although this isn’t always the case, many ethical porn companies are founded by females or non-binary folx and led with an emphasis on sex-positivity.
Wondering where to find ethical porn? Try one of these awesome platforms:
One of the best ways to ensure that the porn you’re consuming is ethical is by getting it straight from the source. This means following actors on social media and paying them directly for independently produced content on platforms like OnlyFans.
Porn is not inherently bad. If you like porn – great! As an ethical consumer, try to do your due diligence and opt for ethical porn companies.
Natasha (she/her) is a full-spectrum doula and health+wellness copywriter. Her work focuses on deconstructing the shame, stigma, and barriers people carry around birth, sex, health, and beyond, to help people navigate through their lives with more education and empowerment. You can connect with Natasha on IG @natasha.s.weiss.
