NCJ Number
115847
Journal
Journal of Law Reform Volume: 21 Issue: 1 and 2 Dated: (Fall 1987, Winter 1988) Pages: 7-46
Date Published
1988
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This study analyzes data from the Federal Attorney General's Commission on Pornography's survey of the materials sold in pornographic outlets in four major cities selected for investigation on the basis of their proximity to the Commission offices in Washington, D.C., and the sites of scheduled travel of Commission staff members.
Abstract
In each city, the research team randomly selected 'adults-only' pornographic outlets for study by listing all identifiable outlets and designating specific outlets for investigation by using a table of random numbers. This study analyzes survey data pertaining to the quantity of merchandise sold; the distribution of sexual and other behaviors in the pornography sold; gender differences in the occurrence of particular behaviors; and differences among magazines, books, and films. Assuming that sexual violence, sexual degradation, and sexual humiliation are everywhere regarded as unwholesome and unhealthy, this analysis of survey data concludes that a large proportion of the current 'adults-only' pornography market consists of unwholesome and unhealthy merchandise. This empirical data counters the argument of pornography defenders that the deviant content of most pornography does not appeal to the prurient interest of the average citizen. For a critique of this study, see NCJ-115848. 71 footnotes, appended coded form.