Essay:Pornography

Pornography is material depicting sex acts, usually viewed for purposes of causing sexual arousal. It is a type of material sometimes considered "obscene"; however, obscenity can also encompass depictions of one person exposing private parts of the body lasciviously. The sale of pornography is regulated in most jurisdictions, and the participation of minors in its production is prohibited. In fact, in the United States, even the distribution and possession of child pornography is a felony pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2252. Libertarian Mary Ruwart famously argued in her book Short Answers to the Tough Questions that the illegality of child pornography would push the price up, stimulating the supply of children willing to act as performers. There is some evidence that access to pornography may reduce the incidence of rape.