Gail Dines

Pornland: How Pornography Has Hijacked Our Sexuality by Gail Dines is a thought-provoking book that delves into the effects of pornography on our society. Drawing on extensive research and personal stories, the author presents a compelling argument against the pervasive influence of pornography, challenging the commonly held belief that it is harmless entertainment. Dines argues that pornography is not just a form of sexual expression, but rather a highly profitable industry that perpetuates harmful ideas about sex, relationships, and women.

Key Points / Ideas

• Dines explores how pornography has become normalized in society, effectively shaping our understanding of sexuality and influencing sexual expectations.


• The author argues that the porn industry thrives on misogyny, promoting violent and degrading depictions of women.


• Statistics and studies are provided to demonstrate the negative impact of pornography on relationships, intimate experiences, and overall well-being.


• Dines highlights the addictive nature of pornography, explaining how it can create unrealistic expectations and lead to a decrease in sexual satisfaction.


• The book emphasizes the intersectionality of porn culture with race, class, and gender, shedding light on how marginalized groups are disproportionately affected.


• Dines challenges the idea that pornography is a form of empowerment, arguing that it perpetuates a commodification of sex and reinforces harmful gender stereotypes.

Significant Evidence and Examples

• The author presents numerous studies that link pornography consumption to relationship dissatisfaction, infidelity, and sexual dysfunction.


• Dines includes real-life stories from interviewees, both consumers and performers within the porn industry, illustrating the detrimental effects it can have on individuals and relationships.


• She analyzes popular pornographic content, highlighting the violence, objectification, and perpetuation of harmful stereotypes depicted.


• The book explores the intersectionality of race and gender, discussing how certain racial stereotypes are reinforced and exploited within the pornographic industry.


• Dines examines how the ubiquity of pornography in the digital age has normalized extreme sexual acts and unrealistic expectations in intimate relationships.

In Pornland, Gail Dines skillfully exposes the detrimental effects of pornography on our society, challenging the notion that it is harmless entertainment. With a combination of research, personal stories, and analysis, Dines pulls back the curtain on an industry that profits from the exploitation and degradation of women while perpetuating harmful stereotypes and unrealistic expectations about sex.

This book is an eye-opening read for anyone interested in understanding the social and psychological implications of pornography. Dines' research and arguments provide a strong case against the normalization of porn culture and highlight the urgent need for critical examination and regulation of the industry.

Readers who want to further explore the subject may also find additional insights in books like "The Porning of America" by Carmine Sarracino and Kevin Scott and "Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity" by Robert Jensen.