Tag: porn

While most of us agree that what happens in incognito tabs should never be spoken of again, there are some interesting statistics about the adult content we choose to watch when the lights go down. From trending search terms to patterns in when people were choosing to spend some alone time, it’s fascinating to see people’s behaviours displayed in terms of online activity.

Mouth-watering MILFs

According to Pornhubs 2023 Year In Review, we are craving a little bit of Stacey’s Mom, with MILF and Mature categories jumping into popularity. Globally, “MILF” held second place, ahead of “lesbian” but behind “hentai.” Other honourable mentions for having aged like fine wine include DILF, GILF and Daddy.

Big & Beautiful

Bigger may not be better but it was certainly more popular last year! Not only were terms like “big” and “huge” searched for more frequently, but the categories “Big Ass” and “Big Dick” saw an average watch time of more than 14 mins each, which is four minutes longer than the average amount of time spent on the site!

iHot

The single greatest increase was “android” and usually coupled with “cosplay,” “robot” and “roleplay.” It saw a 1689% increase in search frequency which was just above the 1541% increase for “NPC.”

International Intimacy

On a global level, America is the leading consumer of adult content online with Australia coming in 13th. The average time spent on the site grew to 10 minutes and 9 seconds. Australia, however, comes in below that average at 9 minutes and 31 seconds. Surprisingly, the day of the week that saw the most action was Monday, and the least was Saturday. Not only were women spending an average of 9 seconds longer online, but 1% more of the total viewers this year were women, making up 36% of all visitors. Australian men still hold the majority share; of total Aussie viewers, 31% were female and 69% male (nice).

Lots of things contribute to trends in adult content consumption and it’s interesting to think about how they vary between countries. Bedroom preferences are something uniquely personal but it’s also a universal part of sexuality. Even though we keep our online activity private, we have a lot more in common than we realise!

Accessing sex-related media in the form of books, art or film has never been easier. The internet serves as the ultimate platform to create, sell and access pornography, in a variety of forms. From on-demand one-on-one camgirls to archives of homemade and professionally produced pornos, there’s no shortage of explicit material. Before that, however, getting a hold of erotic imagery could be much more difficult.

The Rise Of Printing

People have created, traded and sold nude art for millennia, but nudity often portrayed vulnerability and innocence. It wasn’t until recently, that nudity took on a risque or suggestive side. While there were certainly sexually suggestive artworks available, they were few and far between, and not available for personal collection. It wasn’t until the 19th century that printing duplicate copies of erotic illustrations became practical. Even after the printing press, printed media was difficult to come by and wasn’t part of a mainstream market.

Cultural Constrictions

The regulations regarding published media typically restricted printed works from depicting sex scenes and frequently censored the images. Uncensored publications were more often available through underground networks than from reputable sources.

The 1960s marked cultural shifts that generated more demand for sex-related content. Soon after that, the laws regarding the publication of explicit content shifted to reflect it. Some countries remained quite conservative which led to the development of black market distribution of pornography. Others, like the United States, embraced their new-found sexuality. Whether it’s seen as part of a sexual revolution or a newfound way to objectify and crudely profit from women, the changes were a global phenomenon.

The Golden Age of Print

The 1970s and ‘80s were the height of the X-rated magazine industry, particularly in the U.S. The improvement of printing technology meant better quality images and they were able to be mass-produced and distributed. Playboy, with its iconic bunny ears, sold 5.6 million copies in 1975. It was among the most successful magazine companies, alongside Hustler and Penthouse. Magazines were available for purchase at newsstands and convenience stores, and could even be periodically mailed to your home.

Going Digital

As the internet became more available to the public, sharing erotic material became easier than ever. Printed magazines couldn’t keep up with the accessibility, convenience and prices of online alternatives. Many printed publications, like Playboy, had to shift to online platforms or risk disappearing from the porn industry altogether. Currently, printed editions are available for purchase online but the overwhelming majority of pornographic material is entirely digitally based.

While the centrefolds of erotic magazines no longer fuel young men’s imaginations, those paper-and-ink origins paved the way for the socio-cultural and legal changes that allow digital media to flourish. The dog-eared pages of pornos-gone-by are responsible for some of the biggest shifts in modern attitudes toward sex. So, next time your X-rated video isn’t loading fast enough, imagine the frustration of it getting lost in the mail!

Alongside printed material, X-rated video production echoed the social changes in the 20th and 21st centuries. Before the convenience of smartphones and on-demand streaming services, erotic recordings were subject to content and distribution regulations and depended on having access to the right playback equipment. For many teenagers in the ‘80s and ‘90s, this meant creeping downstairs to use the VHS after curfew.

Lights

When the lights went down, the restrictions on TV content slackened. This presented the opportunity to run ads such as the infamous ‘Gone Wild’ commercials that encouraged viewers to pay for the full video or purchase a subscription. Despite being aimed at an adult-only audience, there were still considerable regulations about what was allowed to be aired.

Camera

As technologies like handheld video recorders enabled filmmakers to record content more easily, videos of erotic material grew in popularity. VHS was available to the average consumer and the convenience of enjoying adult entertainment from home meant producers could portray more explicit scenes than a film aimed at a general audience. Despite this, regulations imposed censorship requirements and limited distribution channels. 

Action

The technological progress of the 1980s and ‘90s contributed to the booming popularity of erotic videos. VHS and camera technology were improving rapidly and the diversity of films available grew exponentially. Video rental stores, which are now a rarity in their own right, often dedicated a shelf to the XXX films. Exclusive adult-video-only rental stores opened as well to provide access to the huge variety of videos available. As the ‘90s rolled around, DVDs became the most popular platform for erotic material, offering better video quality and interactive menus to navigate through assorted media. Cable and satellite TV eventually relaxed their content restrictions and enabled pay-per-view adult films. The production and consumption of pornographic material became part of pop culture and erotic content brands became household names.

While still-image pornography remained popular, the rise of adult entertainment in the film industry was revolutionary. To go from taboo, printed images to on-demand TV meant a cultural acceptance of pornography in mainstream media. Even though DVDs are now considered outdated, X-rated content is frequently on the cutting edge of technological advances. This is true today, as artificial intelligence is being utilised in several fields including the production and distribution of adult entertainment. 

The effects of consuming pornography on an individual’s sex life can vary widely and are influenced by various factors, including the frequency and intensity of use, type of media, personal values, relationship dynamics, and individual differences. It’s important to note that research on this topic can be complex and sometimes contradictory, and different people may have different reactions. Here are some potential effects, both positive and negative, that have been discussed in the literature:

Potential Positive Effects

Increased Sexual Knowledge: Some argue that exposure to a variety of sexual behaviours in pornography can increase sexual knowledge and awareness. Despite this, pornography often depicts extreme, aggressive or risky behaviours.

Solo Sexual Satisfaction: For some individuals, pornography can be a source of sexual pleasure when consumed privately. Porn can also be a good icebreaker when getting intimate with someone new.

Fantasy and Imagination: Pornography may contribute to an individual’s sexual fantasies and imagination, providing inspiration for future scenes.

Potential Negative Effects

Unrealistic Expectations: One obvious concern about pornography is its contribution to unrealistic expectations about sexual performance, body image, and relationships. This can be due to exaggerated reactions, lack of protection or the cosmetic alterations people (particularly women) undergo before filming. Remember that the scenes and bodies you are watching aren’t representative of all sex scenes or bodies.

Decreased Relationship Satisfaction: For some, pornography may lead to dissatisfaction in real-life relationships, particularly if it creates unrealistic expectations. Consider talking to your partner about their pornographic preferences and how the differences may impact your sex life. It is also worth considering the content of the porn you choose to consume. Most pornography focuses on male pleasure, which means it often neglects pleasing the woman or exaggerates her responses for the viewer’s satisfaction. Consider checking out porn with a female lens, created by women for women.

Potential Addiction: In some cases, excessive consumption of pornography can lead to addictive behaviours. This is where individuals may struggle to control their use and may prioritize it over other aspects of life.

Impact on Sexual Functioning: Some evidence suggests that pornography has links with sexual dysfunction. This can be the inability to achieve or maintain an erection or premature ejaculation.

Desensitization: Some studies show that porn consumption might lead to desensitization, where individuals require increasingly extreme or novel stimuli. This may normalise violent or aggressive behaviours which can upset or hurt real-life sexual partners. 

Production: While plenty of pornography platforms promote individual, autonomous content creators, there is the possibility of inadvertently supporting porn that was not made ethically. This may come down to privacy violations, coercion or non-consent or substance use on set. While it won’t affect you directly, supporting these videos can fund further unethical practices. 

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that these effects can vary widely among individuals, and not everyone who consumes pornography will experience these issues. If pornography is having an impact on your sex life or relationships, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Otherwise, go forth and enjoy the wonders of ethically produced, true-to-life pornography!