The objectification of women is explored in the writings of Bourdieu. Bourdieu claims that “the social world constructs the body as a sexually defined reality and as the depository of sexually...Show moreThe objectification of women is explored in the writings of Bourdieu. Bourdieu claims that “the social world constructs the body as a sexually defined reality and as the depository of sexually defining principles of vision and division” (2001, 11). Within this structure, society categorises its constructions of gender, with ‘masculine domination’ used to outline those constructions (Ibid.). Bourdieu further argues that “things and activities” receive their objective value when they are juxtaposed in relation to their “homologous [opposite]” (Ibid., 7). This can be applied to social gender dynamics in which men hold power and women act out gender stereotypical and unequal activities. For example, regarding workplace customs in Japan, men are preferred for long-term positions whilst women often fulfil temporary, lesser valued roles (Goff 1995, 1153). Bourdieu's theorisation of female objectification and gender hierarchy may be applied to the social constructions of gender in Japan and their reinforcement through institutions of power. This helps to understand the link between pornography and gender inequality which the thesis argues, must be challenged at state level. Applying Bourdieu’s theory, pornography may be seen as a system to serve ‘male domination’ and pornographic media as an instrument to reinforce and reflect the wider problem of institutionalised gender inequality in Japan. The irony to be explored in this, and the following two chapters, is that the institutions of the Japanese state themselves propagate gender inequality, whilst simultaneously blaming issues of gender inequality on marginalised groups, such as the Otaku – discussed in Chapter 3. Pornography itself is also blamed. An example is the case of Yoshimoto, where after being arrested for rape, police officer Yoshimoto claimed: “I bought and got aroused by pornographic videos with a rape theme, and could not control my compulsion. I feel sorry for the victims” (Shibata 2008, 12). This agent of the state diverted blame away from both himself and the structures of the state, as if neither it, nor he had any responsibility for this victimisation of women.Show less
Since the beginning of the 1980s, much debate in the jurisprudential literature on freedom of speech has been about the (alleged) right to produce and publish pornography. Law professor and...Show moreSince the beginning of the 1980s, much debate in the jurisprudential literature on freedom of speech has been about the (alleged) right to produce and publish pornography. Law professor and feminist Catherine A. MacKinnon produced an interesting argument to justify censorship: pornography itself silences women (and we are allowed to silence silencing speech). This thesis seeks to investigate this normative defence of the 'silencing of the silencing', particular in the form promulgated by Rae Langton from the 1990s on. It argues that Langton and other feminists are right to conclude that free speech implies more than a mere 'right to locution' -- there must also be a right to be heard. Yet, it puts into question the premise that that fact alone could justify a censorship. That usually constitutes an offence against the spirit of autonomy, one of the main reasons to accept free speech in the first place.Show less
This paper seeks to clarify the concept of revenge pornography. Existing laws concerning revenge pornography are analysed and sorted into four separate categories, after which a definition of ...Show moreThis paper seeks to clarify the concept of revenge pornography. Existing laws concerning revenge pornography are analysed and sorted into four separate categories, after which a definition of (consensual) pornography is set out against definitions of four types of nonconsensual pornography, among which a definition of revenge pornography. This is followed by an analysis of the reasons for the lack of appropriate laws against revenge pornography and considers degrees of privacy. The discussion of the harms for victims will be followed by the identification of three kinds of wrongs and the identification of three kinds of perpetrators.Show less
This thesis reviews some of the main arguments of the right or not to pornography in order to defend that censoring pornography would bring many negative consequences for women and minorities. The...Show moreThis thesis reviews some of the main arguments of the right or not to pornography in order to defend that censoring pornography would bring many negative consequences for women and minorities. The thesis will argue that a ban on pornography would make women and minorities more exposed to exploitation, would ignore other forms of hatred towards women in media, would threaten women's autonomy over their bodies, and would neglect the possibility of educating towards consensual values through pornography. Moreover, this thesis also advances that promoting female participation in the production of pornography and ensuring minimal working conditions for sex works could avoid many of the exploitation there is in mainstream pornography.Show less
