Using porn: Discourse and identity construction in male consumers

A number of cultural perspectives address the question of male consumers of heterosexually oriented pornography. Porn and the consumer have been characterized from feminist, conservative, and scientific positions. Despite the presence of these perspectives, little work informed from the consumer perspective exists. This research allows consumers to speak about their own experience. This research analyzes the impact of framing discourses on the identity construction of consumers. Using concepts from Foucault and cultural studies, these questions are explored: How do discourses about consumers affect their identity construction? Which are important? How do men construct their consuming experiences? How does consumption context affect identity construction? How do consumers feel people will perceive them? Data derives from a questionnaire and individual interviews analyzed qualitatively. Findings indicate consumers' sense of themselves as influenced by discourses in culture; however, when given the opportunity to speak they demonstrate resistance.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

1999

Author dc:creator

• Harper, Andrew Fletcher

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kathryn Hausbeck

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/1117

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-2116