Ethical porn

So we’ve talked about how porn can cultivate some negative attitudes and values when we aren't thinking about it. Is there porn out there that is more ethical?

The answer is… sort of.

Ethical porn is somewhat new on the scene. On the surface, it may seem like it is a good alternative to mainstream porn and could reduce some of the potential harms of watching porn.

📗 Ethical porn is porn that is produced in working conditions that are more ethical and fair working conditions for actors and crew. For example, ethical porn may focus more on fair pay for all their actors, is made with more of a focus on negotiating consent and mutual respect so that everyone on set knows and agrees to what is happening. While ethical porn can sometimes also be a little more progressive and diverse in content, this is not always the case.

Ethical porn is often women-owned or made ‘for women’. It ensures that everyone is being paid and treated fairly on set. It aims to address the power difference between those behind the camera and those in front of it. Basically, ethical porn is more ethical for those involved in making it, but it may still have some of the same toxic stereotypes that mainstream porn has. That is, showing only certain body types, lack of condom use, or depictions of forceful sex.

Ethical porn is also generally locked behind a paywall, so unless you are willing to pay for your porn you probably won’t find much of it on the usual free sites. It’s worth noting that porn producers created the term ‘ethical porn’ but no-one regulates it to make sure it is ethical.

So is watching ethical porn better?

Again, the answer is… sort of.

Ethical porn is an alternative if you want to support the safe and fair treatment of people working in the sex industry. It may be slightly more ‘women-friendly’ or cater to other specific groups of people. But ultimately just because a porn producer advertises itself as ethical doesn’t mean that it’s not fostering the same attitudes, values, and expectations as mainstream porn.