Globalization, AIDS, and the Pornography Industry

Propelled by globalization, pornography has found an audience among individuals in the far corners of the world with serious consequences. In some places, like in parts of Africa, where electricity is a luxury, villagers have nevertheless viewed pornographic media from California. And the preponderance of such media is having a chilling effect on public health.. In many of these regions, the practice of safe sex is limited, leading to a higher risk of the spread of AIDS, while anecdotal observations suggest sexual violence is more prevalent. That the provenance of most of the pornographic materials is Los Angeles shows how the globalization of such media can have unintended consequences. Though some lay the blame of contracting AIDS on Western pornography – which frequently does not employ safe sex – many of the regions cited have no form of sex education. And though there is indigenously produced pornography, US products remain cheaper and widely distributed and thus enjoy greater prevalence. Whether this relative cheapness is due to efficiencies, smuggling, or piracy remains unclear. But the spread of pornographic media now seems to be not just a issue of morality, but one of public health as well. – YaleGlobal