Online porn subscription platforms such as Onlyfans, MintStars, and ManyVids have an empowering impact, but not for the reasons you might initially think.
The Porn Wars of the 1970s are often cited as a significant factor in dividing Western feminists. Whether pornography was seen as a form of oppression or liberation became a major ideological contention. However, even after fifty years, society has struggled to move beyond this binary perspective, with both sides failing to engage in a nuanced discussion beyond matters of perspective and morality. The issue of sex work cannot be seriously addressed without acknowledging the actual circumstances of women and individuals living on the margins of society.
When we consider the real-world conditions faced by working-class women, who constitute the majority of sex workers, it becomes evident that this binary framework is harmful.
Let's face it: many women in the sex industry might not have chosen this path if they had been dealt a better hand in life. Of course, some individuals would be in the industry for personal enjoyment. However, for most, it lies somewhere in the middle—a choice they make based on what they perceive to be the best option given their circumstances.
Many radical feminists who oppose pornography do so for ideological reasons. They argue that it reinforces women's marginalized position in society, fosters abusive work conditions, and promotes offensive themes. A valid critique also points out the inequalities in the industry, with pornography studios having major control over resources such as marketing, editing, production, and equipment. This often leads to underpayment of workers who don't fit mainstream standards of desirability, as well as instances of workplace harassment.
So, why are online subscription platforms empowering? These platforms give creators the power of production. While companies still take their share of the profits, creators get to decide what they shoot, when they shoot, how they shoot, and who they shoot with. They are no longer beholden to mainstream standards or the whims of a small group of producers.
There is some criticism that this increased accessibility has turned sex work into a trendy option for young and impressionable women. However, this criticism can also be scrutinized itself. It is condescending to suggest that young women are unable to make decisions about their own bodies, just as eighteen-year-old men frequently choose to join the military. In the case of the military, we acknowledge the material conditions that lead people to enlist, such as lack of socioeconomic prospects in devastated regions, aging out of foster care, high university tuition, and a general lack of guidance. We understand and accept these reasons.
Similarly, while the situation itself may not always be inherently 'empowering,' the choice to pursue sex work should still be respected, considering the state of our society.
Online platforms allow individuals to engage in sex work in an autonomous, independent, and, yes, empowering manner.