Sex, Pornography, and Lolita

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Recommended: Sexuality constructed by society

Sex is an integral part of society, it permeates the life of every person. In many cases it defines how we act and feel. However, when sex becomes the topic of conversation the conversation becomes uncomfortable and is considered taboo. In this case what taboo means is that the topic, sex, is not up for discussion for fear of social backlash. During the twentieth century, this backlash was often ostracization and shaming. These punishments are not befitting of a topic like sex, sex deserves to be discussed openly and in full view of society as both a medium of expression and an acceptable topic of conversation. Sex does not deserve to be censored or relegated to a dark corner because it should never be talked about in public. Sex provides a medium through which the true desires and indeed the true nature of a person can be expressed and examined. Meaning that an author is able to more freely express himself/herself through sex than any other topic.
Poetry, after thorough examination and explication, is often found used by the author as a way to express emotions or to provide social commentary. The poet May Swenson, in her poem “In Love Made Visible” uses her poetry as a medium to discuss homosexuality and love. Swenson, a lesbian and Mormon, was repressed by those in her community. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) also known as the Mormon Church, was not accepting of homosexuals during the 20th century when Swenson was alive. At the time, the LDS believed that homosexuality was immoral, and excommunicated many who were believed to be homosexual from the church; if Swenson was found out to be homosexual she could have lost all of her friends, and those she called her community. This would have been devastatin...

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...tionaries. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Oxford University Press. Web. .
Stuart. "Feminism, Pornography and the Fight Against Patriarchy." Web log post. Scottish Socialist Youth. N.p., 19 Apr. 2011. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. .
Manescu, Larisa. "Inside Pornography: A Rational Feminist Critique." NextGen Journal(2012): n. pag. Web. .
Swenson, May. "In Love Made Visible." Longman Anthology of Poetry. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006. 1241-242. Print.
Nico JACOBELLIS v. STATE OF OHIO. 378 United States Reports 184. Supreme Court. 22 June 1964. Cornell University Law School. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. .

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