Mittuniversitetet

This study analysed 40 of the most watched pornographic videos in mainstream pornography from this year with the objective of studying the frequency of violence and degradation, as well as depictions of consent through a qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate high frequencies of violence and degradation in the pornographic content. Out of the 40 videos that were analysed, violence was depicted in 67.5% of these. It was also found that men were the aggressors in 81.5% of cases, in which the targets of violence were solely women. Further, degradation was found in 57.5% of cases. Lastly, consent was depicted in 67.5% of the videos with physical consent being the most common. The results were discussed in relation to feminist theories about gender inequalities, such as the objectification of, as well as the disproportionate amount of violence against women in the pornographic content. The possible implications of consuming violent pornography are also discussed in relation to previous research findings along with Albert Bandura's social learning theory.