Josef Méthot
Fourth year
Medieval Studies
“I think the fact that it is so available is really challenging to our society. It’s challenging to our depth of sexuality. I think it has a major impact on men and women of all ages, especially young people, with how they think about sex and sexuality . . . Really, a lot of it is unrealistic expectations, unrealistic ideas about sex and sexuality.”
Emma*
Fifth year
Political Science
“I have mixed emotions about it, because I study gender issues. Some erotica can be really positive for women and some of it can exacerbate existing gender equality [issues], issues of race, that kind of thing. On the whole, on a personal level, I enjoy it.”
Kevin McLeod
Second year
Humanities
“I think it’s a way of expressing freely, as well as having an outlet for people . . . You got to think about what’s going to happen if you take it away, and what are the effects of that. Even from a feminist perspective, limiting what is okay into these boxes and then anyone who doesn’t identify with that . . . What’s the alternative?”
Manon Bucher (No photo)
Fourth year
French and Spanish
“I think that the problem with free online pornography is that children have access to it, ‘cause now children are getting iPhones and iPads and that’s a big problem. There should definitely be an age limit. I know on porn sites it says you must be 18 and over to view this page, but what’s really stopping you? So other than that, I think for adults it’s totally fine. I think as long as there is nothing wrong with pornography, as long as it’s consensual adults […] watching porn is not something to be ashamed of. It’s a natural thing.”
*Emma asked to remain anonymous, out of concern for their privacy.
