Berl Kutchinsky, in "Obscenity and Pornography: Behavioral Aspects," states that "In the twentieth century the issue of pornography, like that of environmental pollution, has grown from insignificance to the status of a 'major social problem'" (Kutchinsky, 1983, p. 1077). In fact, Kutchinsky clearly means to hold up the phrase "major social problem" in describing pornography in order to show that the term does not apply in reality to pornography. This report will examine the ways in which Kutchinsky demonstrates that, in fact, there is little if any evidence to support the argument that pornography can legitimately qualify as a major social problem. The reader finishes Kutchinsky article with the clean impression that the author believes pornography is hardly a legitimate social problem at all.
First, Kutchinsky narrows the focus of the study, or at least the focus of what anti-pornography forces would argue is the crux of the "problem." The author lists the aspects of the issue of pornography as it has risen in "fierce controversy" in the consciousness of the public: "definition, amounts and content of pornographic material, uses and users, economy, and (most importantly) effects" (Kutchinsky, 1983, p. 1077).
There is no doubt that pornography is controversial, and will likely remain so even in a society which in which "The widespread availability of pornography breached or even reversed centuries-old traditional sexual morality, and has offended conservatives and many feminists" (Kutchinsky, 1983, 1077). However, offending people, even outraging people, does not mean that pornography is a "major social problem." As the author states, the most important aspect of the study of pornography and the determination of its qualification as such a problem is its "effects."
The effects of pornography, in Kutchinsky's analysis, are decidedly minor, not major, aside, that is, from the controversy and the outrage expressed by conserv...