Hardcore pornography

Hardcore pornography is a form of pornography that features explicit sexual acts. The term was coined in the second half of the 20th century to distinguish it from softcore pornography. It usually takes the form of photographs, often in magazines, or films but it may also appear as a cartoon. Since the 1990s it has been distributed widely over the Internet.

Hardcore pornography was widely prohibited in many countries until the second half of the century when many of the world's liberal democracies, experiencing a change in sexual norms, began to allow limited access. Supply is usually regulated by a combination of a classification system and regulation of points of sale, although today hardcore pornography can be easily downloaded from many Internet sites with little regulation. Public display and advertising is often prohibited. Supply to minors is usually prohibited.

Hardcore pornography can be a taboo subject that is prone to moral panic. Admitting to an interest in it is often viewed as shameful in societies with a strong taboo about sex. This can inhibit discussion and makes research difficult. Research results are often contradictory or inconclusive, or are dismissed by critics for being motivated by either pro-pornography or anti-pornography agendas.

Difference from softcore

While both softcore and hardcore feature extensive nudity and sexual situations with the intention of arousing the viewer, the key difference between softcore and hardcore is that softcore does not include the following elements: shots of an erect penis, shots of actual penetration (vaginal, anal and/or oral), and shots of ejaculation. Generally (although not always), sexual acts in softcore are simulated, while the appeal of hardcore is that the acts themselves are obviously real.

Recent history

The development of home videotape in the 1980s significantly increased the distribution of hardcore material because it allowed people to view films in the privacy of their own home, rather than visiting a movie theater, and also because it became easier to make. It became possible for couples to make videotapes of themselves having sex although this is not usually considered to be pornography unless it is distributed for profit. The development of the Internet has further increased distribution - see Internet pornography.

Legalisation

Since 1969, most of the world's liberal democracies have taken steps to legalise hardcore pornography, or they increasingly fail to enforce legislation to prohibit it resulting in de facto legalisation. There is often vigorous opposition to legalisation - see Anti-pornography movement. The years that hardcore pornography was legalised are roughly as follows:

• Denmark in 1969
• Sweden in 1970
• West Germany and the United States in 1973. East Germany was included in 1990.
• United Kingdom in 2000

Arguments for and against legalisation

There are various arguments from politics, law enforcement, religion, counselling and psychotherapy both for and against tighter legislation for hardcore pornography or even criminalizing pornography altogether. Others argue that, far from being too lax, pornography legislation is not liberal enough. Research cited by both camps is often hotly disputed. For a detailed discussion of the arguments see the main pornography article.

See also

• Sexual norm
• Sexual revolution

References

• O'Toole, L. (1998), Pornocopia: Porn, Sex, Technology and Desire, London, Serpent's Tail. ISBN 1-85242-395-1cs:Hardcore (pornografie)

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Wikipedia information about Hardcore pornography This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Hardcore pornography". It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer). Help contribute to Americola and edit this article.