Pornography
The word pornography is difficult to define. In the past it was used broadly to refer to sexually explicit words or images. Today, the meaning of the term has been narrowed somewhat to describe sexually explicit material that is considered offensive. But views about what is "offensive" vary widely. Pornography falls under the larger category of obscenity, another difficult-to-define term that refers to offensive or immoral—but not necessarily sexual—material.
The sale of pornographic materials has long been one of the most contentious issues surrounding the right to free speech---and the rapid spread of online pornography has intensified this debate. Critics argue that online pornography makes indecent material more pervasive and easily accessible than ever before. They emphasize how easy…>> (read more)
Pornography in the News
Byline: G. Allen Johnson
It's already been 20 years ago this month that a little indie film made in Baton Rouge, La., called "Sex, Lies and Videotape"…>> (read more)
Byline: Henry K. Lee
A music teacher at an Antioch elementary school, arrested earlier this year for allegedly possessing child pornography on his work computer, will not…>> (read more)
Byline: Sam Whiting; Chronicle Staff Writer
Adult film actress Marilyn Chambers, the onetime Ivory Snow model who gained greater fame as the star of the X-rated "Behind…>> (read more)
Pornography Statistics
