| Think back about 10 years to the days when the | | | | Studies show a large majority of Americans regularly |
| Internet was very new. There were only a few | | | | visit adult sites. One minister started a religious porn |
| things selling on the Net in those days -- books, some | | | | site after finding nearly half of Christians polled in one |
| information, a product here and there, but far and | | | | study enjoyed adult sites. |
| away the biggest seller on the early Internet was | | | | Clearly, most Americans see nothing wrong with adult |
| porn. | | | | sites. After all, they enjoy these sites in |
| Yes, the adult entertainment industry was dominant | | | | overwhelming numbers. |
| from almost day one. The Net's ability to bring an | | | | Then why do the media and public leaders always |
| unlimited horizon of information and entertainment | | | | portray porn as something bad, an evil force in |
| directly to the privacy of your home made it the | | | | society that is destroying families and inspiring crime? |
| perfect vehicle for anyone ready to buy adult | | | | The answer to that may lie in America's long |
| entertainment. | | | | Victorian tradition where we frequently do one thing |
| The huge demand for porn was not lost on | | | | while claiming to believe another. Of course, adult |
| corporate America. One of the only studies into | | | | entertainment must be used responsibly. Like any |
| where money flows in the porn industry revealed | | | | product or information created exclusively for adults, |
| that many of America's biggest mainstream | | | | children and those not mature enough to handle adult |
| entertainment companies were secretly behind the | | | | entertainment should not have access to it. |
| financing and distribution of porn. That's right, the | | | | A series of laws were created in recent years that |
| same companies that make G-rated movies available | | | | effectively encourage adult sites to create |
| at Wal-Mart were also bringing adult entertainment to | | | | safeguards against children and those unable to |
| stores, mail order firms, and online sites. | | | | handle porn from having access to it. The system will |
| Interestingly, most porn was not created in | | | | never be perfect, but it has largely taken pressure |
| Hollywood or some New York City back alley. Porn | | | | off the situation so that those who enjoy adult sites |
| videos were, and still are shot all over the country in | | | | and those who oppose them can co-exist peacefully. |
| cities and towns of all sizes, frequently involving | | | | Today adult sites are more professional than ever, |
| actors who are friends or even married. These "mom | | | | delivering a vast choice of entertainment that is |
| and pop" producers sell their videos and photos to | | | | unsurpassed in its quality. We truly live in a time when |
| distributors. | | | | adult entertainment has come into its own and is |
| Current estimates range between $10 to $20 billion in | | | | easily available to anyone who desires it. |
| revenues for adult web sites. And it's no wonder. | | | | |