Porrkomplexxxt! - En kvalitativ studie om ungdomars syn på pornografi

Abstract

The aim of this study has been to investigate Swedish youth’s conceptions about pornography and sexuality through a gender and power perspective. The questions of issue were the following: 1. Does youth reflect about gender and sexuality concerning pornography? a) Does any norms appear concerning consumption of pornography and sexuality? b) Is any kind of power structure related to gender recognized concerning pornography? c) Does youth think that pornography effects the conception of gender and sexuality? If so, how? 2. Are there any differences between how girls and boys reflect about the questions of issue above? The used research method has been qualitative individual semi-structured interviews with eight students totally, four girls and four boys, all in the ages of 16-18. The study has a hermeneutical and abductive approach. The result shows that the respondents recognize both positive and negative influences from pornography. They describe pornography as exciting, instructive and inspiring as well as degrading against women, disgusting and pressure engendering. The respondents think pornographic material influence others more and mainly more negative than it influences themselves. The respondents perceive patriarchal structures in pornography. They oppose these structures and use strategies to avoid them. The respondents make a distinction between sex in pornography and their personal experiences of sex. The respondents are aware of gender specific norms concerning sexuality and pornography and they both oppose and maintain these norms. We found both differences and similarities in the comparison between girls and boys. The most distinct difference is that the boys consume pornographic material more regularly than the girls. The boys are generally more positive towards and have more opinions regarding pornography. A significant conclusion is that the respondents’ thoughts about pornography in a substantial extent are characterized by ambivalence. The respondents consider pornography as easily accessible and taboo at the same time. The result shows that the respondents are influenced by both conservative and liberal values in concern to sexuality in general and pornography in particular.