Chauntelle Tibbals Discusses Porn Studies in Slate Magazine

CYBERSPACE — Sociologist Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals sat down to speak with Slate reporter Amanda Hess about the difficulties of studying porn in a respectable, non-Hugo Schwyzer type of way.

Hess prefaces the interview, “Millions of Americans study porn in the privacy of their homes on a daily basis. But for academics, it's still a challenge to secure funding and institutional approval to take a serious scholarly look at the material.” She goes on to mention the detrimental effects that Schwyzer’s Twitter meltdown and antiporn activist Gail Dines have had on the field.

When asked what the main stumbling blocks barring porn from ascending the Ivory Tower are, Tibbals had a few ideas.

The biggest issues facing academics, she said, is the perennial lack of funding for porn-related projects, and the lack of trust between the industry and potential recipients of information of obtained through (let’s say) demographic research.

 “If your subjects can’t trust the people they’re giving information to, then the information isn’t going to be reliable or accurate,” Tibbals told Slate. “That gets at a sociology-of-sociology question regarding the dynamic between researchers and respondents. A lot of people in the adult industry don’t trust researchers for very good reasons.”

She went on to chastise Schwyzer, the Pasadena City College “porn professor” who recently admitted to using his Navigating Pornography to sate his own sexual and emotional appetite, for reducing the credibility of a oft-trivialized and criticized field.

“It’s already difficult enough to get people to take this topic seriously, to view the sex industry as a complicated entity and to think of pornography as something that people actually think about,” Tibbals explained. “I don’t know what Hugo was trying to do, but he claimed that he hoped to get in with porn people and garner some celebrity for himself.”

To contrast with Schwyzer, Tibbals points out that there are “respectable people” teaching adult content, including Linda Williams at Berkeley or Constance Penley at UC Santa Barbara.

Tibbals recently released the first volume of her ebook series “You Study What? One Sociologist's Journey through Sex, Society, & Adult Entertainment.” She has published across disciplines, in publications including Stanford Law and Policy Review” and “Porn Studies.” She told Slate law journalstend to be much more welcoming to the subject than others,” possibly because its First Amendment and workplace regulation relevancy.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

Kalani Luana Stars in Latest From Hookup Hotshot

Kalani Luana stars with Nade Nasty in the latest release from Hookup Hotshot (HUHS).

Lilyadick Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Canadian star Lilyadick has made her debut for TransAngels alongside Parker Savage in the video game-themed scene “Playing With The NPC Babe.”

Kazumi Stars in Latest From Tushy

Kazumi stars with Milan Ponjevic, Jax Slayher and Dan Damage in a new airtight scene from Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Tushy.

Cherry Kiss Toplines Pat Myne's 'Anal Fetish Babes'

Cherry Kiss headlines director Pat Myne’s “Anal Fetish Babes,” from Evil Angel.

Nicole Aria Stars in Latest From Jules Jordan

Nicole Aria stars with John Strong and Zac Wild in the latest release from Jules Jordan.

Ellie Nova Is Hustler's 'Cover Honey' for December

Ellie Nova is the Cover Honey for the December issue of Hustler Magazine, appearing in a 14-page centerfold spread shot by ThisYearsModel.com.

Leah Gotti, Hazel Paige Topline 'Lesbian Neighbor Affairs 2'

Leah Gotti and Hazel Paige headline “Lesbian Neighbor Affairs 2,” from Girlfriends Films.

Mandy Muse Stars in Latest From New Sensations

Mandy Muse stars with Danny Mountain in the latest release from New Sensations, titled “Anal Time is Of the Essence For Mandy Muse.”

From Nigeria to California, Marvin Love Brings Comedy to Digital Playground

“If it doesn’t happen, listen, I’m happy to talk over and over again.” So says Marvin Love, director of Digital Playground’s latest comedy, “Single Minded.” Two days before, Love and I had conducted an excellent 45-minute interview, covering topics ranging from his upbringing in Nigeria, to his transition from mainstream movie production to adult directing, to his establishment of The Bakery Talent Agency. It was loose, funny, and very insightful.

Eva Angelina, Kelsi Monroe Star in 'Championship Fight' From Deeper

Eva Angelina and Kelsi Monroe star with Vixen Media Group (VMG) exclusive Dan Damage in "Championship Fight," the latest release from studio imprint Deeper.

Show More