GREENBELT, MD — Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals, a professor of sociology who has studied the adult industry extensively over the years, was interviewed in the Academy of Criminal Justice Science’s (ACJS) "Today," its official online newsletter.
“Presumably it will be read by thousands of academics and criminal justice practitioners, which may actually be a good thing, re: getting out accurate info and possibly informing perspectives,” Tibbals told XBIZ.
“ACJS Today’s” editor Robert Worley, who says Tibbals has “the dubious distinction of being one of the few scholars who has systematically examined virtually every aspect of the adult film industry,” asks her in-depth questions about findings she gleaned from her studies and how they relate to society at large.
Tibbals explained that her interest in adult began as “pure circumstance,” solidified by her conflicting impressions of porn. Coming from a background of feminist-centered scholarship, she felt that on one hand, the “vast majority of it was unquestionably bad” and yet sensed that the outlandish rumors surrounding the biz were implausible.
“The ‘either/or’ nature of the anti-porn/pro-porn debate was extremely influential and calculated — porn flowed directly from their depraved minds to an unsuspecting, vulnerable public,” she told Worley. “This was starting to seem like a bit of an overreach.”
For a mainstream academic, who teaches non-porn-related sociology courses at an university based in the L.A. area, Tibbals’ perspective seems refreshingly polemic.
Asked why she believes stigmatization of the adult industry persists, Tibbals points to a lack of “accurate, judgment-free” sex education. Because people are taught to view acceptable pleasure through an exceedingly narrow scope, Tibbals says any other avenue of sexual expression — many of which are addressed by porn — are shunned.
Tibbals also eschews the porn condom mandate passed by L.A. County in 2012.
It “does more harm than good.” Tibbals said. “This particular law was written with little or no input from community members and an almost complete lack of understanding regarding porn production logistics.
"Even though the ordinance is off-mark and unenforceable, it has already created fractures in the adult industry community — producers and performers shooting out of county and state, producers not obtaining film permits (not to mention the newly mandated health permits), and general confusion and unrest within the performer population.”
Worley, seemingly incredulous, continues to question her about her stance. After all, he posits, policymakers “may feel the need to do something about the issue.”
"That's a far larger debate and much wider series of considerations regarding free speech and bodily autonomy," she responds.
The interview covers a broad swath of other compelling topics, including the effect of Internet piracy on adult profits and the perception that porn degrades women.
To read the interview "The Adult Industry Uncovered" in its entirety on ACJS.org, click here.
