By Kait Scalisi, MPH
Pornhub, the largest pornography site on the Web, maintains a robust dataset that includes segmenting user data by gender, geography, and more. Pornhub’s data analysts reported a spike in BDSM-related searches (SFW) in the days leading up to and following the movie’s debut: an increase of 20% in the U.S. overall, and a 40% increase among women.
When it comes down to the specific terms users searched for, Pornhub reports:
- Searches for “BDSM,” “submission,” and “domination” rose more than 40% each.
- Searches for specific BDSM-related activities or objects, such as “chains,” “spanking,” “leather,” and “whip” increased between 5-33%.
- Search behavior varied by gender. Searches for BDSM-related terms increased 30-219% among women, but only 3-46% among men.
The gender difference observed is particularly surprising given that 50 Shades was marketed mainly to women. It is also important to note that Pornhub does not report whether any of these changes are statistically significant, so the statistics must be interpreted with caution.
Nevertheless, this information suggests that Americans, women specifically, may be more interested in pushing their boundaries by checking out different sexual activities, whether or not they ever try these things. It also suggests that women might be the primary audience for messages promoting safe and healthy BDSM play. While the depiction of BDSM practices in 50 Shades was arguably faulty, especially on the matter of consent, this enormously popular media franchise continues to provide openings for mainstream discussion about various aspects of sexuality, and in a way that addresses its light and dark sides. 50 Shades can help add nuance to the public discourse around sexual violence. The time is ripe to talk about consent, not only in the context of dating, but also between partners in long-term relationships.
Finally, this conversation should not avoid the question of whether interest in sexual practices that include elements of violence relates to a wider social consciousness and acceptance of sexual violence. While this is one way to look at the issue, it would be fascinating to segment that data into the pre- and post-50 Shades era. To me this explanation always feels lacking.
I understand that porn is not a good educator (and for that matter neither are fairy tales or romantic comedies, which I would argue can be just as damaging to individuals’ ideas about relationships, and contain many of the same themes, such as male dominance). Yet the notion that the explicit portrayal of BDSM-related fantasy reflects or reinforces violence against women ignores the fact that women do seem to be stepping into their sexual desires more fully.
Does everyone with a male-bodied partner want him to ejaculate on their face? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean no one does. By assuming a direct link between porn preferences and actual violence against women, one breaks the cardinal “correlation does not equal causation” rule, and misses opportunities to talk about and understand why anyone would want to ejaculate on a partner’s face, and why some like it and others do not. Taking a broader look at pop culture trends, can provide the unique chance to really meet folks, especially youth, where they are at, and more effectively promote safe, sane, and consensual sex—vanilla, kinky, and everything in between.
Other Sexual Health News This Week
New Bill Would Increase Access to Plan B, Contraception (US News)
NIH-Led Study to Assess Community-Based Hepatitis C Treatment in Washington, DC (NIH)
Unplanned Pregnancies Cost Taxpayers $21 Billion Each Year (Washington Post)
1 in 5 U.S. Teen Girls Physically or Sexually Abused While Dating (US News)
Twitter Changes Sexual Health Ad Policy, Reinstates Condom Retailer’s Account (RH Reality Check)
Washington Senate Votes to Ban Aversion Therapy for Sexual Orientation, Drug Use (The News Tribune)
Opt-In Sex Education Bill Passes House (The Salt Lake Tribune)
Supreme Court Reopens Notre Dame Bid to Bypass Birth Control Coverage (Insurance Journal)
Conference Proposals Due
The following conference proposals are due in March and April. Click on each name for more information.
The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, March 15.
California Family Health Council’s Women’s Health Update, March 23.
Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence Annual Conference, March 23
National HIV Prevention Conference, April 19.
Upcoming Conferences
The following conferences take place in March and April. Click on each name fore more information and to registers.
Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health, March 22-25.
Central College Health Association Annual Meeting, March 23-25.
Nuestras Voces (our voices) National Bilingual Sexual Assault Conference, March 26-27.
Catalyst Con East, March 27-29.