Citation

Boyle K. Womens Stud. Int. Forum 2000; 23(2): 187-195.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0277-5395(00)00077-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines the limitations of the effects model for feminist anti-pornography work. As a contribution to the on-going debate about the nature of pornography and its relationship to violence against women, this article aims firstly to identify why traditional effects research, which attempts to establish a causal relationship between pornography and violent behaviour, is a dubious ally for anti-pornography feminism. Secondly, the enduring implications of the effects model for feminist anti-pornography politics are explored. It is argued that anti-pornography feminists need to reject the effects model and return to the crucial question of how some pornographies are produced and consumed in ways that are abusive to women.