A little introspective for a Monday

I've been thinking, crazy I know but it happens on occasion, about pornography. I read an article recently on it and how it affects our moral compass. And this is what I took from it:

Persons who view pornography are often able to justify it with the argument that it hurts no one but themselves. Kind of like smoking, right? They may understand it's a dangerous, harmful thing for them, but feel that it's a victimless crime. (Obviously that argument wouldn't work as well for anyone who has a partner and/or has children. Families can be injured by addiction to pornography; intimacy can be affected. So let's go with it JUST being people who have no partners or children to hurt with their viewing of pornography.)

But there are victims. We all are the victims, women in particular. Supporting the porn industry facilitates the objectification of women and the demoralising of sex. By continuing to pump money into the pockets of porn-makers, consumers send the message that it's ok for women to be objects, to be degraded, to be used. That it's ok for physical intimacy to be cheapened and dirtied and exploited in a billion-dollar industry.

And that's not ok.

It has made me think about how I am doing this myself. Not with porn (in case you were wondering). But I'm not perfect. I watch and read plenty of things that degrade morality.

And even beyond issues of morality ... what other dangerous and wrong ideals am I perpetuating and supporting with my pound? What am I telling the world when I buy magazines full of digitally-altered 'perfect' women? When I listen to misogynistic hip-hop? When I click on blogs and websites with hateful content? When I shop at supermarkets that I know use huge farms where animals are abused? When I buy products made by companies whose international marketing practices are unethical? (I will quit Shreddies, I will. Swear.)

It's got me thinking, is all. As a consumer, I vote my conscience with my money, and I might not be doing a very good job of it.

As an aside, I attempted to find an image to go with this post. Which probably questions my morality even more.....