Post-nut clarity is real. We’ve all been there. After a long work day, it’s easy to just throw on the best video you see on PornHub’s home screen in order to unwind with some self-pleasure. Still, after watching moans you know are fake, gross stereotypes, and borderline scary sex acts, you’re left with that icky feeling. Was the video you just watched unethical? Or, if not unethical, kind of gross?
The good news is, that “icky” feeling isn’t inherent to all porn. Instead, it’s a sign that the porn you’re watching may not be as pleasurable as you think. Luckily, the components of mainstream porn that will give you the “ick” – the fake orgasms, fetishes, weird storylines, and more – are completely avoidable. In fact, ethical porn companies like afterglow make a conscious effort to avoid these features of mainstream pornography. So, if you’re looking for guilt-free porn, you’ve come to the right place.
Understanding Ethical Porn
Ethical porn is a movement that aims to create adult content with a focus on fair treatment of performers, diverse representation, and realistic portrayals of sex and relationships. Unlike mainstream pornography, which often prioritizes profit (meaning, the male gaze) over ethics, ethical porn puts the well-being of performers and viewers at the forefront.
Key Principles of Ethical Porn
- Fair pay and safe working conditions for performers
- Enthusiastic consent and clear communication on set
- Diverse representation of body types, genders, and sexual orientations
- Realistic depictions of sex and pleasure
- Transparency in production practices
These principles create a foundation for adult content that respects everyone involved, from the performers to the viewers. This approach can help alleviate the “ick” and guilt factor that many people experience when consuming mainstream pornography. Rather than watching what feels like a caricature of sex, ethical porn is realistic, and most importantly, super hot.
The Impact of Ethical Porn on Relationships
One of the main reasons why ethical porn won’t give you “the ick” is its potential positive impact on relationships. Unlike mainstream porn, which has been linked to negative effects on relationship quality, ethical porn may actually enhance intimacy and communication between partners.
Primarily, ethical porn can foster open and honest communication between partners. Ethical porn often encourages viewers to discuss their desires and boundaries with their partners. This open dialogue can lead to improved communication and a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and preferences. For instance, imagine you’re watching an ethical film with extensive dirty talk (not often seen in mainstream porn). This may encourage you to ask your partner, “would you like me to talk to you that way?” “How do you like our dirty talk?”
Porn also has a nasty representation for promoting unrealistic expectations in couples’ relationships about what their sex should look like. This isn’t something you have to worry about with ethical porn. By showcasing diverse body types and authentic sexual experiences, ethical porn helps set realistic expectations for sex and relationships. This can reduce feelings of inadequacy or pressure that sometimes arise from viewing mainstream pornography.
Ethical porn also provides a safe space for individuals and couples to explore their sexuality without judgment. This can lead to increased sexual satisfaction and a more positive attitude towards sex in general. For example, rather than scrolling through a bunch of videos on a mainstream site that seem to offer the exact same storyline, ethical porn can provide you with countless kink ideas and ways to spice up your relationship.
Centering female pleasure
It’s no secret that mainstream porn is produced for male pleasure. However, with women being at the forefront of the ethical porn movement, these films are typically made by and for women. This means that films prioritize female pleasure and agency, offering a refreshing alternative to male-centric mainstream pornography. These female creators bring a fresh perspective to adult content, focusing on authentic pleasure and diverse representations of sexuality.
Feminist porn challenges harmful stereotypes and power dynamics often seen in mainstream pornography. By showcasing diverse body types, sexual orientations, and genuine female pleasure, these films help viewers feel more comfortable and empowered in their own sexuality. You won’t feel like you’re pleasuring yourself to something that wasn’t even made for you in the first place.
The Importance of Consent and Ethical Production
A central reason for guilt produced by mainstream porn is the fact that you don’t even know whether the performers are enjoying it in the first place. So how can you even enjoy it? A crucial aspect of why ethical porn won’t give you “the ick” is its emphasis on consent and ethical production practices. This focus ensures that performers are treated with respect and dignity throughout the production process.
Ethical porn companies like afterglow are often transparent about their production practices, including how they ensure performer safety and consent. This transparency can help you feel more comfortable with the content you’re consuming. Unlike some mainstream porn productions, ethical porn also prioritizes fair pay and safe working conditions for performers. This commitment to ethical treatment can help alleviate your concerns about exploitation in the industry.
Why ethical porn won’t give you “the ick” is clear: it prioritizes consent, diversity, and authentic representations of sexuality. By focusing on ethical production practices, fair treatment of performers, and realistic portrayals of sex and relationships, ethical porn offers a more positive and empowering alternative to mainstream adult content. As more people discover the benefits of ethical porn, it has the potential to transform our relationship with adult content and contribute to healthier attitudes towards sex and sexuality. Looking to try out ethical porn? Check out our film “U up?” below.
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