NCJ Number
20298
Journal
SOCIOLOGIA DEL DIRITTO Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (1975) Pages: 319-358
Date Published
1975
Length
40 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY CONDUCTED IN ITALY WITH THE AIM OF ASSESSING PUBLIC OPINION REGARDING THE PORNOGRAPHY PHENOMENON.
Abstract
THE STUDY ALSO EXAMINES THE SOCIAL VALIDITY OF THE CONCEPT OF OBSCENITY AS DEFINED BY THE ITALIAN PENAL CODE, THE PARAMETERS USED BY THE COURTS WHEN ADJUDICATING QUESTIONS OF OSBCENE PERFORMANCES AND PUBLICATIONS, AND THE NEED TO ABOLISH EXISTING LEGAL RESTRICTINGS ON THE PUBLICATION AND SALE OF PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL. THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY SHOW THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC CONSIDERS THE PORNOGRAPHIC PHENOMENON LESS HARMFUL TO THE SOCIAL ORDER THAN IS BELIEVED THAT THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE GULF BETWEEN THE IDEAS HELD BY THE PUBLIC ON THE SUBJECT AND THOSE OF THE JUDICIARY AND THAT PUBLIC OPINION IS BECOMING MORE FAVOURABLE TO THE ABOLITION OF LEGAL RESTRICTIONS IN THIS AREA. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES BY STRESSING THE ROLE THAT SOCIOLOGICAL STUDIES COULD PLAY IN BRINGING THE LAW IN LINE WITH THE SOCIAL PERCEPTION OF OBSCENITY AND PORNOGRAPHY. --IN ITALIAN