This study slices like a laser through the fog of rhetoric, disinformation, bias and fear that has long enveloped all discussions of the subject of pornography in the US. No argument in favor of the censorship of such material can be considered valid unless the basic arguments of this study are answered. The author's own concluding summary ringingly states that `pornography by itself is not the basic issue. Opposition to it is only a symptom of more general attitudes toward sexuality that are both false and harmful to us all.' With striking examples and detailed research, it is demonstrated how the current atmosphere works to oppress minorities, obscure underlying social problems, and subtly continue the disempowerment of women. Striking as the text of this study is, within the notes there are even stronger examples of political hypocrisy and opportunism. Clearly North Americans have a serious problem dealing with the manifestations of human sexuality and this problem has significantly distorted law enforcement and the equality of the sexes. This is a valuable resource for all academic libraries and could well become a fundamental weapon in the war to preserve the First Amendment. This book should be purchased by all but the smallest libraries; it may well be the most honest discussion of the subject ever written.
Choice
Christensen believes that pornography is not just to be tolerated: It is good in itself. Furthermore, campaigns against it are immoral and often supported by absurd arguments involving semantic cheating. Christensen claims that women are less likely to be aroused by pornography than men
he thinks they prefer romantic tales
but that it works for men. Women may complain that this promotes sexual harassment, but Christensen thinks the added burden is proportionately trivial and that prohibiting pornography tends to stimulate perversion. Instead, we should work for a more open society in which women could better cope with their own sexual needs. Those who think we should pay more attention to sex or that the world would be better with more sexually aroused males will like this book. . . .
Library Journal
Attitudes about sex, pornography, and censorship receive unusual critical review in Christensen's title, which argues that mistaken beliefs about sex are at the heart of battles over pornographic materials. Social standards of love, sexuality and moral and physical health are criticized in chapters which should be considered by any antipornography reader: Christensen presents scholarly, logical arguments on the issue.
The Midwest Book Review