The President vs Porn

In 1969, the United States Supreme Court ruled that people could view whatever they wished in the privacy of their own homes.

In response, President Lyndon B. Johnson, funded 'the President's Commission on Obscenity and Pornography'.

They wanted to study the effects of people watching pornography freely as it was becoming more available through magazines and the age of the television.

The Commission's report was scientifically based and here are the findings…

- The country must have accurate sex education for people to enjoy sexuality without harm.

- The report recommended against any restrictions for adults. 

- There was no evidence that exposure to such material was harmful to individuals 

- They suggested that current legal and policy initiatives were more likely to create problems than solve them. 

- And finally stated that obscenity and pornography were not important social problems

In conclusion, The Senate rejected the Commission's findings and recommendations by a 60–5 vote.

And thus, shame around pornography and pleasure continued, even in light of the evidence.

I wanted to share this story because reminders from moments in history like this help put into context why shame around sex for pleasure exists, even when the evidence for why it should does not.