An Irish academic’s call for children to be taught the ‘positive’ aspects of porn has been described as “inherently exploitative”.
Writing on the RTÉ.ie website, porn researcher Kate Dawson said, “there is a real need for youth to be equipped with information about pornography and be supported in developing skills necessary to critique sexual representations in media so that they can make healthy and informed decisions about their sexual lives”.
One of her recommendations for porn literacy educational initiatives would be to reduce shame around porn use so as to encourage conversations about the sexual encounters portrayed in porn, particularly regarding sexual consent, body image and self-esteem.
“By reinforcing stigma and shame (saying porn is bad, don’t watch it), we close off conversations,” she said.
A spokesperson for the Iona Institute said: “Wanting to teach pupils about the negative aspects of porn is one thing, but pretending to them that there is a positive side to an industry that is inherently exploitative is another thing entirely.
“Parents need to know what some influential figures in the sex education debate want their children to be taught and to fight back when necessary.”
The UCG PhD student caused outrage earlier this year when she appeared on ITV’s This Morning show to advocate masturbation classes for primary school children.