Journal article
Flattening Fantasies: Analyzing Stereotypes in Pornographic Discourse
Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, Vol.20(1), pp.421-434
05/25/2026
DOI: 10.1609/icwsm.v20i1.42646
Abstract
This study presents a large-scale quantitative analysis of 5.4 million video titles from xHamster, the world's fourth most visited pornography platform, to examine linguistic patterns used to describe different dimensions of identities (e.g., race and gender). Specifically, we investigate how nationalities, ethnic groups, and gender identities are portrayed in pornographic discourse, focusing on stereotypes and deviations from implicit norms of pornography. The results show the dominance of American pornography over other groups, which acts as the defacto norm for the adult industry. We identify persistent ethnic stereotypes reflecting colonial power dynamics, religious fetishization, and the sexualization of cultural taboos. The analysis reveals gendered representational differences across cultures, with a prevalent Madonna-Whore dichotomy in the portrayal of women and stereotypical depictions of men in physically dominant roles.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Flattening Fantasies: Analyzing Stereotypes in Pornographic Discourse
- Creators
- Sarmad Chandio - University of IowaOsama Khalid - University of IowaSharaf Zia - University of IowaEthan Kutlu - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, Vol.20(1), pp.421-434
- DOI
- 10.1609/icwsm.v20i1.42646
- ISSN
- 2162-3449
- eISSN
- 2334-0770
- Number of pages
- 14
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/25/2026
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Center for Social Science Innovation; Writers’ Workshop
- Record Identifier
- 9985167676502771
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