The Ugly Face of the Porn Industry
The adult entertainment industry, fondly called the porn industry, is a $10 billion a year industry. Yes, that’s right, $10 billion. There is no doubt that selling sex would be such a moneymaker; it is the world’s oldest profession. In the last two decades, pornography has become less taboo and more widely accepted by the general public. They might as well get used to it because it sure isn’t going anywhere!
While it is true that hardcore porn fans are more like fans of cult film classics, the industry has its mega stars like Jenna Jameson, Ron Jeremy, and Linda Lovelace. Yearly porn DVD rentals are up to 800 million, which leads to the common belief that porn, is here to stay. It is here to stay and growing stronger.
Not only does the professional porn industry have its superstars, but also it employs over 12,000 people in the state of California alone. And that is not just thousands of actors and actresses, but also producers, cameramen, editors, and other crewmembers. The porn industry creates jobs and directly affects the economy in this way.
For years, the porn industry has held its own awards ceremonies, conventions, and trade publications. However, today the professional industry also hosts legal, marketing, and advertising seminars the country over. In Washington, the industry even has its own lobbyist to appeal to Congress.
No longer is porn shown only in seedy strip clubs and dirty back alley theatres, but in four-star hotels and through cable and satellite television providers. In fact, about 70 percent of all hotel room profits are made through the purchase of pay per view adult programming.
Not only has the professional porn industry grown in the last twenty-five years or so, but it also has had a direct influence on other industries. Porn sites were some of the first websites to ever make a profit in the early days of the World Wide Web. Other webmasters have learned from their online checkout, software, streaming videos, and marketing techniques to enjoy similar lucrative successes.
Despite its financial success and exponential growth, the professional porn industry is not without its critics. The most frequent social argument is that the industry exploits, objectifies, and demeans women. A newer argument, one that is based in morals and family values, claims that men become addicted to porn and it ruins careers, families, and marriages.
Regardless of moral and social objections, the professional porn industry will carry on. It is all basic Economics 101 – supply and demand. There will always be a demand for sexual gratification and therefore the industry will stick around to supply it. Aside from anti-porn groups protesting the industry’s any move, there is very little anti-porn legislation within the United States. The one and only law is that which involves child pornography – it is not and will not be tolerated, and it shouldn’t.
The professional porn industry is part of the economy and provides entertainment for those that are interested. The industry does not shove it down the public’s throat, so to speak, but it does make it readily accessible. And as long as it is there, people will buy it.
Comments (No comments)
There are no comments for this post so far.
Post a comment