Dating back to the 1980s, before the Internet, pornography was still a very popular and easily accessible phenomenon sweeping the nation. Many groups have tried to shut down the entire institution due to the stigma it carries, deeming it very unpleasant and obscene. These groups, including feminists, religious groups, and even the Reagan administration, have worked for years toward legislation to outlaw pornography. (Suderman) What they don't realize is that they are actually trying to remove a safe and creative sexual outlet. for many people. Pornography can be defined very differently from person to person. Most people would say they are simply words, images or videos that they find sexually explicit. In 1964, Justice Potter Stewart said, “I cannot define pornography, but I know it when I see it.” ("Pornography and Obscenity"). Pornography allows people to explore their fantasies from the privacy of their own home, offers them a safer alternative in most situations, and in some cases can even be used as a way to educate people. Pornography can be found everywhere, from simple to basic. traditional sexual encounters to people playing out some of the darkest and wildest sexual fantasies. This allows people to explore wild sexual fantasies in the privacy of their own home. “Internet pornography has become so popular in part because it offers a level of anonymity never before achieved.” ("Introduction to Online Pornography: Opposing Points of View") From the privacy of your computer, you can access an endless database of any porn imaginable that can be reached simply by logging onto the Internet. Some people even find it exciting to publish their own “amateur” porn, whether in the form of… half a sheet of paper… their freedom of speech, discretion and expression. Work Cited "Introduction to Online Pornography: Opposing Views." Online pornography. Ed. Emma Carlson Bern. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Views. Opposing points of view in context. Network. April 16, 2014. Holden, Stephen. "Erotic fantasies as topics for discussion with strangers." New York Times February 7, 1997. Academic OneFile. Network. 16 April 2014. "Pornography and obscenity". Current Issues: Macmillian Library of Social Sciences. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2003. Opposing Views in Context. Network. April 16, 2014 Suderman, Peter. “The war on porn continues.” Reason May 2014: 14. General OneFile. Network. April 16, 2014.Yost, Megan R. and Eileen L. Zurbriggen. “Power, Desire, and Pleasure in Sexual Fantasies.” The Journal of Sex Research August 2004: 288+. Academic OneFile. Network. April 16. 2014.