The Complexities of the Internet as a Tool for Development: The Case of Pornography in South Africa.

• DOI: 10.24908/iqurcp.8970
• Publication Date: 2021-05-01T04:10:11Z
• Authors: Meghan Donevan
• Keywords: Pornography; Socialization

My thesis (DEVS 502) critiques ``practitioners of development'' for promoting the Internet as a development tool in Africa while ignoring issue pornography. It demonstrates that theincreased availability and exposure to pornography is likely adversely affect lives both men women. Pornography fails promote safer sex population at significant risk HIV/AIDS. perpetuates constrictive notions femininity masculinity, portraying conquering submissive women, making male satisfaction only important outcome sexual acts. not gender issue, but also racial issue: it promotes “whiteness” by idealizing white female body limited number black actors brutal, animal-like way. Pornography, thus, powerful medium may prevent necessary re-socialization among youth South combat ills racism inequality. Finally, reflects ways which West has historically held power influence gender, norms values. In this sense, can be viewed another instance Western colonialism. Through lens I show will have negative consequences need taken into account if applied tool.