Customer Reviews

Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I wish I had this book when I was teaching undergraduate Women's Studies courses! Jensen uses the topic of pornography to cover the most pressing issues facing feminism, and society at large, today. He has built upon the work of radical feminist scholars in regards to applying feminist theory to pornography. He looks at how the industry, its violent content, and access to pornography through new technology, has changed since writers like Andrea Dworkin first tackled the problem of how porn turns violence against women into a vehicle for sexual pleasure. Jensen is successful at attacking the problem from every angle. You can tell he is an experienced lecturer by the way he addresses the typical, and also atypical, arguments that are thrown at feminists in regards to pornography, sexuality and gender. He also approaches the topic autobiographically, (a very feminist approach) and his arguments are stronger and more poignant because of it. Because of this autobiographical angle, his tone is not just analytical, but also one of remorse and sadness about the state of sexuality and masculinity in today's world. But he offers up a new vision, one which I believe male readers will be receptive to.

I wrote my thesis for my Masters in Women's Studies on sex work, so I can wholeheartedly say I've read most literature on pornography. Getting Off is one of the best books on the subject, and he brings the feminist argument against pornography into the 21st century. I admire and appreciate that he does not merely copy the work of female scholars, but rather builds upon them all the while showing how they paved the way for his analyses. I highly recommend it for course reading material for college instructors. This is an excellent text for anyone interested in understanding power, gender and sexuality.

I found this book problematic also, but I am female, advocate feminism, and study feminist theory. I don't think the positions that critics of this book lay out as mutually exclusive (feminist v. pornography) need to be so divisive. However, it is the rhetoric of this book, and books like it (Dworkin, for example), that encourage polarized views of sex, sexuality, and pornographic media.

In my opinion, both masculinity and femininity are constructed, and in ways that are damaging for both sexes; women, however, have been oppressed more considerably over history. Nevertheless, I found Jensen's rhetoric infuriating, and as someone who writes about pornography using feminist theory (and I am neither "pro" nor "anti" pornography - I find some pornography progressive, interesting, smart, and highly enjoyable; some pornography I find racist, sexist, unpleasant etc. I think pornography, just like everything else, is constructed in ways that replicate sexism, racism, classism et al, but that does not mean it is lacking in cultural value, or even feminist value) - but I do not condone censorship in any form, and I don't find Jensen's approach useful.

His "analysis" of the women in pornography I found to be particularly offensive. In fact, what was ostensibly a book about male consumers, and I chose to read it for that reason, turned into the usual rant about the degradation of women in pornography, without considering what the female performers might experience in their chosen line of work - or, rather, presenting it as though there is no choice, and that women pursuing pornographic careers are a result of false consciousness. His only "evidence" in this regard consisted of a curious "reading between the lines" of behind the scenes footage, where he drew conclusions from a brief look in a performer's eye. I found this to be absurd. What about male performers? What about women in other lines of work? Are they exploited?

Furthermore, as I have come to expect from extremist writing of any kind, there is no attention to genre, no content analysis, and even though he claims to randomly select the most popular movies, the more interesting and subversive popular movies were conspicuously absent. His analysis of a Wicked movie, for example, shocked me - it bore no resemblance to the overwhelming majority of Wicked movies I have seen, in terms of violence/degradation.

I'm not saying that all of Jensen's positions are incorrect, or that I think all pornography is great; I am saying that the obsession with women in pornography is grounded in sexism, and the belief that the ultimate exploitation of women is rooted in sexuality is a cultural belief repeated again and again, with a lack of attention to why we believe this to be the case. It's an extremely complex issue, and one that should not be reduced to these black and white treatments.

Every person should read this book. It will make men better human beings, and enable them to imagine a masculinity that isn't rooted in domination over women as a source of sexual gratification. Jensen analyzes pornography from what seems to be every possible angle. His conclusion - masculinity is toxic, and must be reconfigured. He writes, "The call to go beyond masculinity to a new humanity asks people to imagine something for which there is no model. It is frightening but like most things that spark fear it also opens up the possibility of finding something deeper, richer, and more satisfying." Men will not be put off by the book, but rather will be comforted by Jensen's honesty about his own journey as a man in a culture that dominates women. Jensen's tone will put readers at ease, because he is so honest and brings his own story into an otherwise analytical text about culture, gender and sex. This personal touch makes the book easier to read, since a lot of the violence described is hard to witness. Jensen seems to cover it all, and peppers the book with interesting facts about the impact of porn on society. For example, who knew that in the 80's Betamax probably went to the grave because the porn industry chose the VHS format? Getting Off will enlighten all readers, and it isn't just about pornography. It is a book that gets to the root of how dominant cultures function and thrive through the normalization of sexual violence.

In my opinion, there were good and bad apects of this book.
In any critique of pornography, descriptions of the recorded acts are necessary-- otherwise, it's just euphemism and it is easy for readers to assume that it's "not that bad." Jensen describes a number of mainstream films and includes quotations from the films themselves and from interviews with the performers. The sections were very difficult for me to read, but Jensen certainly made his point-- porn is extremely hateful towards women. I am not sure he could have made him point without including these excerpts, but they were very unpleasant.
Jensen is such a radical feminist that he thinks the entire system needs to be overhauled; it's not enough for men to "protect" or esteem women enough to stop looking at porn-- they must reject the entire concept of masculinity, because Jensen interprets the patriarchal system as essentially creating a "rape culture." I am not sure that I agree with this completely, but reading the book did make me realize that seemingly innocuous comments and behaviors (extreme competitiveness, for example, or even phrases like, "*Real* men don't eat quiche") do contribute to the idea that "real" men are macho and perhaps rightly given to violence as a way to prove their masculinity. I don't know what to make of this, really, and I don't think that Jensen himself gives a convincing account of an alternative.
Finally, I think Jensen is really limited by his moral perspective. In his discussion "What is sex for?", for example, he refuses to even consider the argument, "For procreation," because that would disenfranchise gays and lesbians. This was when the book broke down for me-- if Jensen is not even willing to consider the main purpose of sex in his discussion, then I don't think he's dealing in reality. Sex simply does produce children, and that must be taken into account even if it makes us uncomfortable about issues of sexual orientation. His explanation ("to produce light rather than heat") is very silly, and even in context it doesn't mean that much.
I thought Pamela Paul's *Pornified* was a better researched and more reasonable account of the porn culture.

As a biblical Christian, I have quibbles. But Jensen identifies what pornography is really about and ties it to its larger context in American culture. There is a reason that pornography is becoming both more mainstream and more violent.

Jensen accurately locates this in the lack of relationship in pornographic sex, which means that substututes must be found for that emptiness. Among these substitutes is the thrill of violent domination, expressed by O'Brien in Orwell's 1984 as "a boot stamping on a human face forever."

I think any honest reader can recognize himself or herself here. Jensen is extremely frank about his own history, which makes that essential insight easier for the reader.

I have been hesitant to write this review because I respect South End Press and the work their staff does. After coming across this book for a second time, however, I had to write a review. Basically, I would like to echo the sentiments in a previous review "Highly Problematic From A Feminist Perspective." Jensen doesn't discuss the notion of third wave feminism. He assumes every women in porn is an abused, drug addicted victim. Further, these drug-addicted victims are only a "problem" because of the negative way the contribute to men's perception of masculinity.

Of course, Jensen really doesn't focus on women--this is a book about masculinity. That's fine. Books about gender roles are very important. Jensen's argument, however, goes something like this.

Drug addicted victimized women=porn industry.
Men viewing porn=warped notions of masculinity.
Warped notions of masculinity=bad.
Therefore--what makes masculinity bad? The drug-addicted, victimized women who comprise the porn industry.

I understand that Jensen assumes that once men have a "correct" notion of masculinity they will treat women better and then there will be less drug addicted victimized women who flock to the porn industry, but I've already ranted too much. I assume one can figure out how I feel about that particular argument.

Finally, I understand it's not useful just to review something based your opinion about the argument. So here's something else: if you want to read page after page of transcribed scenes from various pornographic films (for someone who hates porn so much, Jensen sure does seem to watch a lot of it), this is your book.

I have been struggling with the ideas and issues that this brilliant book discusses for years. I am genuinely thankful that this exists. It reaffirmed many of my current beliefs, helped me further understand why I feel the way that I feel, and offered me new knowledge and more importantly, hope.

Read it. For the love of humanity, read this book.

As a radical feminist I found Robert Jensen's book validating. I have read a lot of material on pornography addiction, pornography, growing up in a sexualized culture, etc. Gail Dines "Pornland" is also excellent but I found the insight into the male experience of pornography that Jensen addressed, incredibly helpful on a very personal level, particularly the chapters he addressed specifically to men. As a woman it enabled me to better understand why men cannot see the pain, degradation and humiliation of pornography, not just to women but to humanity. I have also read a lot about sex-trafficking and there are some very strong connections between patriarchy, pornography, men's sexual attitudes towards women/children, and sex-trafficking. It was helpful to me to see that there are men out there who have the same emotional reaction to pornography as I do. One of Jensen's anecdotes struck such a deep cord because it could have been describing my own experience. If you ever listen to some of his lectures on Youtube, you can hear his depth of sadness. I too carry this sadness. The personal impact of this book aside, I believe many will find it thought-provoking at the very least. I agree with arguing against pornography from a "harm" perspective more helpful than a "censorship" perspective which is somewhat futile. His talk of "masculinity" being culturally defined (and femininity too) is helpful for both sexes to think about and try to understand. When we define ourselves in such limited terms, we ignore the core of who we really are. Humans with the same basic needs, wants, and desires - one of which is to be equal. Thank you Robert Jensen for your brave and valuable contribution to these sensitive issues. You have given me hope where there previously was none. I too have cried "I don't want to live in this world." (Jensen, p.45)
Be warned that there are graphic descriptions of pornography in this book and it definitely should not be read by anyone under the age of 18.

Thank you Robert Jensen. This book gives voice to a marginalized yet truthful analysis of adult "entertainment". Jensen probes the collective denial about the exploitation in the name of "liberated" fun.

Levensky takes the extreme Feminist stance that western society is a patriarchy which automatically abuses the weak. He shows how the porn industry fits into this patriarchy and the consequences it has. Levensky views everyone involved from actor to consumer as victims. The producers and society at large are the perpetrators. While the author's views are extreme he makes several points which cause the reader to re-evaluate who they are and what they do. Any time an author causes us to re-evaluate our lives and actions I believe that's a positive influence. While you may not be involved in porn or feminism I believe you'll be interested to see Levensky's analysis of their affects on our culture. Masculinity itself has been in turmoil since the "New Male" era in the 1980's and the "Real Men" of the 1990's. While Levensky doesn't give us all the answers, he makes a good start on asking the questions on basic character and treatment of men and women in this 21st century.

Note: Some content is "adult" in its descriptions of film content, so this book should be reviewed by adults before being shared with anyone younger.