Comments on: Enboobening the needy for the benefit of all: another episode in the normalization of prostitution http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/ Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:32:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: camipco http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85826 camipco Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:54:30 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85826 I think appeal of porn to the patriarchy isn't aesthetic, it's the exploitation in itself. I agree with Queen of Spades that the oppressive patriarchal beauty standards wouldn't be interested in her natural breasts for, say, the front cover of Maxim. But there are pornographers who would be delighted to exploit her. There's porn that specializes on exploiting women who don't fit the beauty standard; be they older, larger or smaller chested, whatever. Anon mentioned the inconsistency about using these women for porn when their breasts aren't 'big enough' yet. I don't think it's the particular shape of their breasts that's appealing to the patriarchy, it's the women's willingness to participate in their own exploitation and mutilation. I think appeal of porn to the patriarchy isn’t aesthetic, it’s the exploitation in itself.

I agree with Queen of Spades that the oppressive patriarchal beauty standards wouldn’t be interested in her natural breasts for, say, the front cover of Maxim. But there are pornographers who would be delighted to exploit her. There’s porn that specializes on exploiting women who don’t fit the beauty standard; be they older, larger or smaller chested, whatever.

Anon mentioned the inconsistency about using these women for porn when their breasts aren’t ‘big enough’ yet. I don’t think it’s the particular shape of their breasts that’s appealing to the patriarchy, it’s the women’s willingness to participate in their own exploitation and mutilation.

]]> By: CoolAunt http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85526 CoolAunt Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:53:28 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85526 I meant to post: From what little of the book that I was able to read and mostly what I’ve read about the book, it’s by <b>no</b> means pro-porn. I meant to post:

From what little of the book that I was able to read and mostly what I’ve read about the book, it’s by no means pro-porn.

]]> By: CoolAunt http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85525 CoolAunt Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:52:33 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85525 Katbread, "Pornified" is the title of a book by Pamela Paul, which is where I assume the word originated. I couldn't read past the first few pages of Paul's book because reading the callous disregard of women in the quotes of her interviewees made me feel sad and hopeless about the future of women and therefore hopeless about the future of this world, but I don't think that Paul is a feminist or that the book was written from a feminist perspective. From what little of the book that I was able to read and mostly what I've read about the book, it's by means pro-porn. At the same time, if Paul share's my feelings of offense and outrage at such blatant misogyny, her words don't show it. Katbread, “Pornified” is the title of a book by Pamela Paul, which is where I assume the word originated. I couldn’t read past the first few pages of Paul’s book because reading the callous disregard of women in the quotes of her interviewees made me feel sad and hopeless about the future of women and therefore hopeless about the future of this world, but I don’t think that Paul is a feminist or that the book was written from a feminist perspective. From what little of the book that I was able to read and mostly what I’ve read about the book, it’s by means pro-porn. At the same time, if Paul share’s my feelings of offense and outrage at such blatant misogyny, her words don’t show it.

]]> By: Katbread http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85464 Katbread Sun, 19 Aug 2007 05:32:58 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85464 Pornified...where does this wonderful new word come from? I've never heard it before I saw this website and I am absolutely gleeful over it. Is it from general feminist literature or just site-specific slang? Oh, and on topic, I personally have large breasts. I also have back pain and a terrible track record with supposedly platonic male friends sticking around just for a chance to even "accidentally" brush their elbows against them. Although in leui of that (somewhat recent) revelation I suppose I've gotten some material possessions out of them, I'm completely baffled as to why someone would get rock-hard parodies of breasts for the same "benefits". Pornified…where does this wonderful new word come from? I’ve never heard it before I saw this website and I am absolutely gleeful over it. Is it from general feminist literature or just site-specific slang?

Oh, and on topic, I personally have large breasts. I also have back pain and a terrible track record with supposedly platonic male friends sticking around just for a chance to even “accidentally” brush their elbows against them. Although in leui of that (somewhat recent) revelation I suppose I’ve gotten some material possessions out of them, I’m completely baffled as to why someone would get rock-hard parodies of breasts for the same “benefits”.

]]> By: CoolAunt http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85373 CoolAunt Sat, 18 Aug 2007 19:37:30 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85373 Thank you, Orange. CuriouserAndCuriouser, I'm glad I could help, especially since it's been only recently that my smug ass has been knocked off my high-horse. And believe me when I tell you, I was way more smug than you for way many more years than you. It sure was painfully humbling but necessary for my growth as a person. <i>"But I love my breasts. I like to grab and squeeze them when I’m feeling scared or down. They comfort me. They bring me down to earth."</i> Blamerella, when I first read that in your post, my first thoughts were that you were being porn-creepy. Then I realized that you weren't being creepy at all. Instead, even though I don't look at porn, my poor brain has been so pornified by our pro-porn culture that my first thought and assumption was porn-tainted. That's so totally fucked up. IBTP. Thank you, Orange.

CuriouserAndCuriouser, I’m glad I could help, especially since it’s been only recently that my smug ass has been knocked off my high-horse. And believe me when I tell you, I was way more smug than you for way many more years than you. It sure was painfully humbling but necessary for my growth as a person.

“But I love my breasts. I like to grab and squeeze them when I’m feeling scared or down. They comfort me. They bring me down to earth.”
Blamerella, when I first read that in your post, my first thoughts were that you were being porn-creepy. Then I realized that you weren’t being creepy at all. Instead, even though I don’t look at porn, my poor brain has been so pornified by our pro-porn culture that my first thought and assumption was porn-tainted. That’s so totally fucked up. IBTP.

]]> By: scrappybadger http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85336 scrappybadger Sat, 18 Aug 2007 11:44:48 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85336 Queen of Spades said, "The natural motion of my boobs is supposedly horrifying." You are so right. I hardly ever wear a bra when I'm at home because none of them fit right, and I've started to have what I think is nerve damage (permanent numbness) on the tops of my shoulders from the weight of my breasts pulling on bra straps. Sometimes I feel kind of giddy thinking I might be grossing out our asshole neighbors when I walk around outside and my breasts swing out in opposite directions and then back toward one another. It's quite an unusual, and kinda funny, motion. Queen of Spades said, “The natural motion of my boobs is supposedly horrifying.”

You are so right. I hardly ever wear a bra when I’m at home because none of them fit right, and I’ve started to have what I think is nerve damage (permanent numbness) on the tops of my shoulders from the weight of my breasts pulling on bra straps. Sometimes I feel kind of giddy thinking I might be grossing out our asshole neighbors when I walk around outside and my breasts swing out in opposite directions and then back toward one another. It’s quite an unusual, and kinda funny, motion.

]]> By: Blamerella http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85312 Blamerella Sat, 18 Aug 2007 05:40:01 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85312 Queen of Spades, I feel you as well. As a woman with the patriarchally-approved large breasts, but without the requisite lithe body, I get the worst of both worlds. I'm still a big-titted bimbo to the vast majority of people perceiving me visually, but I don't get any of the social brownie points accrued to the silicone-enhanced skinny trophy wives. But I love my breasts. I like to grab and squeeze them when I'm feeling scared or down. They comfort me. They bring me down to earth. They're beautiful, even if they don't meet Playboy standards. Fuck Playboy and the P. Two of my good friends have had their breasts removed due to cancer. I will never disparage or denigrate mine, as long as I have them. Queen of Spades, I feel you as well. As a woman with the patriarchally-approved large breasts, but without the requisite lithe body, I get the worst of both worlds. I’m still a big-titted bimbo to the vast majority of people perceiving me visually, but I don’t get any of the social brownie points accrued to the silicone-enhanced skinny trophy wives.

But I love my breasts. I like to grab and squeeze them when I’m feeling scared or down. They comfort me. They bring me down to earth. They’re beautiful, even if they don’t meet Playboy standards. Fuck Playboy and the P. Two of my good friends have had their breasts removed due to cancer. I will never disparage or denigrate mine, as long as I have them.

]]> By: Lara http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85290 Lara Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:57:49 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85290 By the way, can anyone find a larger-sized photo of Jason Grunstra than the one found on the Yahoo news link? I have an evil plan (rubbing hands together in glee)....hehe.... By the way, can anyone find a larger-sized photo of Jason Grunstra than the one found on the Yahoo news link? I have an evil plan (rubbing hands together in glee)….hehe….

]]> By: Lara http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85286 Lara Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:46:17 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85286 I hear ya Queen of Spades, I wear usually a 34D, smaller than you, and let me tell you without a bra I definitely do not look even remotely like a porn star. And I am relatively slim too. You've described perfectly how...evil and manipulative the patriarchy is. It really all comes down to money and using women as a sex class, as chattle, to gratify men and make them money at the same time. And let's think about this: men are socialized to think not only that fake porntastic bodies are attractive but also that exploiting women is supposedly not exploitation at all...it's normal! Amazing how the "sex" industry is lauded as being "appreciative" of women's bodies when it does the complete opposite: it loathes and spits down upon any natural elements of a woman's body. And let me tell you: the experience of guys (and women!) staring at my chest instead of my face when I talk to them, on top of the back pain, is NOT fun... I hear ya Queen of Spades, I wear usually a 34D, smaller than you, and let me tell you without a bra I definitely do not look even remotely like a porn star. And I am relatively slim too. You’ve described perfectly how…evil and manipulative the patriarchy is. It really all comes down to money and using women as a sex class, as chattle, to gratify men and make them money at the same time. And let’s think about this: men are socialized to think not only that fake porntastic bodies are attractive but also that exploiting women is supposedly not exploitation at all…it’s normal! Amazing how the “sex” industry is lauded as being “appreciative” of women’s bodies when it does the complete opposite: it loathes and spits down upon any natural elements of a woman’s body.
And let me tell you: the experience of guys (and women!) staring at my chest instead of my face when I talk to them, on top of the back pain, is NOT fun…

]]> By: CuriouserAndCuriouser http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85278 CuriouserAndCuriouser Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:27:21 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/08/16/enboobening-the-needy-for-the-benefit-of-all-another-episode-in-the-normalization-of-prostitution/#comment-85278 CoolAunt, your comment gave me a sharp wake-up call - I sometimes catch myself feeling smug because "I know better than these other foolish women who tie themselves in knots to please men". The other day I saw a woman who *had* to have had implants, her boobs (sorry, they simply were not breasts) were like the pneumatic prow of a ship preceding her and parting the crowd, every eye glued on her prominent - jeez, I'm sounding like a dude here. I mean, they were absolutely the very first thing I noticed about her, I could hardly even look at her face because I was trying so hard not to laugh. I seriously had a *split* second where I thought it was some kind of joke, they were so ludicrous-looking. But then I realized from the look on her face that it was no joke. I had to turn away because I felt embarassed for her, and also ashamed of my inability to feel empathy for her and keep a straight face. I mainly felt sad that she'd made such a clown of herself for her asshat boyfriend (or whatever her reason). I had this feeling that she must have just gotten them done and was discovering that the rewards were maybe not all they're cracked up to be, as it seemed she was quite aware (and possibly painfully so) of my ill-concealed amusement. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who was either openly laughing at her or giving her the ol' stink-eye. Then I felt bad, and felt really sorry for her. Your words remind me how painful the so-called 'choices' truly are, regardless of what any woman's individual story may be. CoolAunt, your comment gave me a sharp wake-up call - I sometimes catch myself feeling smug because “I know better than these other foolish women who tie themselves in knots to please men”.

The other day I saw a woman who *had* to have had implants, her boobs (sorry, they simply were not breasts) were like the pneumatic prow of a ship preceding her and parting the crowd, every eye glued on her prominent - jeez, I’m sounding like a dude here. I mean, they were absolutely the very first thing I noticed about her, I could hardly even look at her face because I was trying so hard not to laugh. I seriously had a *split* second where I thought it was some kind of joke, they were so ludicrous-looking. But then I realized from the look on her face that it was no joke.

I had to turn away because I felt embarassed for her, and also ashamed of my inability to feel empathy for her and keep a straight face. I mainly felt sad that she’d made such a clown of herself for her asshat boyfriend (or whatever her reason). I had this feeling that she must have just gotten them done and was discovering that the rewards were maybe not all they’re cracked up to be, as it seemed she was quite aware (and possibly painfully so) of my ill-concealed amusement. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who was either openly laughing at her or giving her the ol’ stink-eye.

Then I felt bad, and felt really sorry for her.

Your words remind me how painful the so-called ‘choices’ truly are, regardless of what any woman’s individual story may be.

]]>