"Erotic memes are images, videos, GIFs, and text that are created with the intention of eliciting sexual interest and arousal among viewers. They are often humorous and feature suggestive imagery and language, making them popular on social media platforms like Facebook.
Their effect on users' unconscious attitudes towards humor, desire, and taboo is not well understood. In this article, I will explore the role of erotic meme culture in shaping relational discourse around sexuality in digital communities."
The Role of Erotic Memes in Shaping Attitudes Toward Sexual Humor
Erotic memes can be seen as an extension of the broader phenomenon of Internet humor, which has been shown to shape attitudes toward various topics through exposure and repeated viewing. Research suggests that repeated exposure to certain types of humor can lead to increased tolerance for that type of humor and even a preference for it over time. This means that frequent exposure to sexually suggestive or explicit material may make individuals more comfortable with such content and less likely to find it offensive. As a result, erotic memes may play a significant role in normalizing sexual humor and desensitizing viewers to potentially controversial or offensive material.
Desire and Taboo
The use of erotic memes can also have an impact on attitudes toward desire and taboo. Many of these memes play with cultural norms and boundaries surrounding sex and intimacy, challenging societal expectations about what is appropriate or acceptable behavior.
Some erotic memes may involve suggestive imagery that pushes the limits of what is considered acceptable public discussion of sex. By normalizing and even promoting this kind of content, erotic memes may help to destigmatize discussions of sexual desire and attraction.
Relational Discourse Around Sexuality
Erotic memes can influence relational discourse around sexuality within digital communities. Because many of these memes are shared between friends and acquaintances online, they create opportunities for discussion and debate about sex and relationships. This can lead to greater awareness and understanding of different perspectives on sexuality, as well as greater acceptance of diverse ideas about what is "normal" or desirable.
Because of their popularity and prevalence, erotic memes can serve as a common point of reference and bonding among community members who share similar interests or backgrounds.
Exposure to erotic meme culture on Facebook can have significant effects on users' unconscious attitudes toward humor, desire, and taboo, shaping relational discourse around sexuality in digital communities. Through repeated exposure to sexually suggestive material, individuals become more comfortable with such content, which can lead to increased tolerance and acceptance of it in broader society. Erotic memes also challenge cultural norms and boundaries surrounding sex and intimacy, creating new opportunities for discussion and exploration of these topics.
By providing a common ground for sharing and discussion, erotic memes contribute to the development of shared values and norms within digital communities.
How does exposure to erotic meme culture on Facebook affect users' unconscious attitudes toward humor, desire, and taboo, and how does this shape the relational discourse around sexuality in digital communities?
Researchers suggest that exposure to erotic memes on social media can influence individuals' underlying perceptions of sex and sexuality, leading to the formation of certain expectations and desires around sexual behavior (e. g. , what is considered "normal" or acceptable). This can also lead to the normalization of taboos surrounding sex, such as the acceptance of fetishes or kinks that were previously seen as deviant.