Not very long ago, pornography was considered an industry run by men, for men. I mean, why would women have any sexual desires, right? Well, wrong. And they’re making sure we know it.
According to fightthenewdrug.org, 60.2% of women watch porn. Yet, like many other facets of society, the porn industry tends to prioritize men’s sexual desires. But shouldn’t we also consider what women want to watch?
When examining what women look for in porn, it’s important to consider that women’s sexual preferences cannot be generalized. Just like other facets of their lives, every woman has unique desires that make them special. Still, looking at themes in women’s tastes can help us challenge the very outdated notion that associates porn primarily with men (like… we masturbate too?)
Ethical Consumption
One major thread in women’s porn is the yearning for diversity and authenticity. They don’t want generalized content; women crave something more attuned to their desires and experiences.
Sites like afterglow, an ethical adult site designed by women for women, emphasize this trend. afterglow’s popularity signals a shift towards female-centric erotica that promotes body positivity and mutual pleasure.
In other words, for many women, porn isn’t just porn. It can mean pairing high-quality eroticism with other tools, like sex education, wellness exercises, and tutorials. If you’re interested in what this looks like, check out some of afterglow’s eduporns, which combine sex-ed and porn by collaborating with creators to make realistic and sexy erotic films.
Diverse Body Types
When watching porn, many women not only consider how actors fuck, but who’s fucking. More than ever before, women are seeking out adult content that reflects their own realities and fantasies rather than conforming to an idealized standard. With increasing demands for diverse body types on screen, we’re starting to see an industry-wide movement challenging unrealistic beauty standards in adult content.
For some people, porn is just fantasy. And sometimes you just want to see hot people have sex. But many women emphasize the importance of seeing someone who looks like them on the porn set. They want to imagine what it would look like for their ass to get grabbed, their tits sucked, and their hair pulled.
Storylines
Examining women’s porn preferences requires us to go beyond explicit scenes. For many women, it’s about what goes on outside of these scenes. In fact, storylines and narratives hold significant importance for many female viewers.
But why are these elements so vital? Think of it this way – a storyline is like a road map guiding us through an experience. It provides context and depth to what we’re seeing on screen. Porn doesn’t have to be limited to someone being thrown onto a bed and bent over (although that can be hot too). Many women want to know why they are being thrown onto a bed. Maybe its because that couple only has 5 minutes to aggressively fuck before their roommate walks in. Doesn’t that make it so much hotter?
Consent & Communication
Similar to storylines, many women prioritize the inclusion of consent and communication when watching porn. Many mainstream porn outlets overlook these essential aspects of sex in their porn. However, incorporating consent into porn makes it that much sexier.
Wouldn’t you love to hear your favorite porn star say things like “do you like it there?” Or, “tell me just how you want it.” Not only does it make porn more realistic, but it makes many women feel safe knowing all parties are consenting and enjoying the sex.
Rough Sex
Rough sex can get a bad rap from folks who claim that it promotes violence against women. For our thoughts on that, check out our blog “Does Loving Rough Sex Scenes Make Me Misogynistic?” (hint: we don’t think so).
Regardless, many women find rough or extreme porn appealing because it allows them to explore their fantasies safely. In fact, PornHub reports that women are 86% more likely to search for “BDSM” porn compared to men.
For example, have you ever wanted to get face fucked but don’t exactly trust any men to do it safely? (Super valid, btw.) Well, porn can be a great outlet to explore your face-fucking fantasy from the comfort of your bedroom. In other words, porn can not only serve as entertainment, but also inspires sexual exploration.
Again, it is important to not generalize women’s tastes in porn; the genres and themes that appeal to women are as diverse as the individuals themselves. However, taking a look at commonalities can help us realize that women love watching people fuck too. And maybe it’s about time the porn industry takes these preferences into account.
If you’re on the lookout for porn made for women (by women, too!), check out some of afterglow’s films below.
60% of women are dissatisfied with their sex lives. We’re on a mission to change that.
What if you didn’t have to search to find a body that looks like yours, a sex act that turns you on, or a guided exercise that helps you tell your partner exactly what you’ve been craving?
What if YOUR pleasure came first?