Porn Can 'Absolutely Be Empowering for Women,' Scholar Tells CBS News

Porn Can 'Absolutely Be Empowering for Women,' Scholar Tells CBS News

BERLIN — CBS News aired a segment this weekend interviewing porn studies scholar Madita Oeming as part of their “Speaking Frankly: Porn” series.

Oeming, who teaches cultural studies courses on the adult industry and adult content at Universität Paderborn in Berlin, Germany, was interviewed by CBS News’ Anne-Marie Green.

“The internet basically changed everything about pornography,” Oeming explained, clarifying that how you experience those changes depends on your point of view. While some producers say “that the internet killed porn,” she said, for many performers “the internet offers many new ways of monetizing porn and of uploading their own content, and controlling their own content.”

The piece was unusual in that mainstream outlets often propagate myths about the industry without interviewing experts or stakeholders with actual knowledge of the current state of the business.

Oeming patiently explained to Green that the perception that porn only displays “one body type,” specifically thin, busty young women with fully shaved genitalia, is a “porn myth.” In fact, Oeming said, “there is such a diversity of bodies in porn today,” and “some of them have shaved heads but actually body hair in other areas, you can see they have tattoos, they have very small breasts, they have natural breasts.”

Critics, Oeming said, seem “stuck in the very ‘80s image of the porn star with the giant enhanced breasts and the very fake tanned body and so on.”

Oeming also told Green that porn is one of the few places where one can see queer sexualities frankly represented and that, despite War on Porn propaganda from religiously motivated lobbies and Sex Worker Exclusionary Liberals and Radical Feminists (SWELs and SWERFs), it can “absolutely be empowering to women.”

“We always hear the same alarmist voices in public discourse, so I‘m trying to use my privilege to help create a counter narrative, a shame-free and fact-based conversation about porn,” Oeming told XBIZ from Berlin.

"Even for just writing about and teaching porn I‘m confronted with a lot of stigma and it’s so much worse for everyone actually working in the industry. Stigma comes from a place of fear and misconception which is why we need education on every level so badly."

“I‘m overwhelmed by the kind responses I‘ve received from the porn community,” Oeming added. “In many ways, the performers and producers are my teachers and I‘m glad to be able to give something back to them by using the platform I‘m given to raise their voices and concerns.”

For the full CBS News interview with Dr. Madita Oeming, click here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ondato, CCBill Announce Strategic Partnership for Global High-Risk Market

Age and identity verification firm Ondato and payment processor CCBill have formed a strategic partnership to serve the global high-risk market.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Show More