One of the most common ways that people explore their sexuality is through watching videos online. There are numerous platforms available for this purpose, but one of the most popular ones is YouTube. It has become a hub where users can find all sorts of content related to sex and relationships. One type of video that is becoming increasingly prevalent on YouTube is the erotic meme. These videos typically feature images or animations depicting sexual situations or activities and provide commentary on them. While these memes may seem harmless at first glance, they actually have some negative consequences when it comes to gender roles, sexual behavior, and relational power.
Gender Roles
Many erotic memes reinforce stereotypes about gender roles and gender norms.
Many of them show women as passive objects who exist solely for men's pleasure. In these types of memes, women are often portrayed as being submissive and willing to do whatever men want them to do. This can be seen as damaging because it perpetuates the idea that women should be controlled and dominated by men in order to be desirable partners.
These memes can also promote ideas such as women being more interested in pleasing their partner than themselves and being less assertive in bed.
Sexual Behavior
Another issue with erotic memes is how they encourage certain types of sexual behaviors. Many of them suggest that men should focus solely on their own pleasure during sex rather than considering their partner's needs. They also promote aggressive acts such as choking or rough sex without any consideration for safety or consent. This can lead to misinformation about what constitutes healthy sexual behavior, which can be dangerous if people take these ideas too seriously.
Relational Power
Erotic memes can also reinforce power dynamics within relationships. They often feature scenarios where one person has complete control over the other person's body and actions, which can promote the idea that relationships should be hierarchical. This can create an imbalance between partners, making it difficult for both parties to feel comfortable expressing themselves freely and openly. It can also lead to feelings of insecurity and anxiety around intimacy and trust.
While erotic memes may seem harmless at first glance, they actually have some negative consequences when it comes to gender roles, sexual behavior, and relational power. They reinforce stereotypes about women's place in society, promote unhealthy sexual practices, and perpetuate power dynamics within relationships. Users need to be aware of these potential issues so they don't fall into the trap of believing all this content is accurate or helpful.
How do erotic memes on YouTube reinforce unconscious beliefs about gender roles, sexual behavior, and relational power?
Eric Klineberg's (2015) research shows that people are affected by cultural models of gender and sexuality which shape their expectations for relationships with others. Memes play an important role in spreading these cultural norms through humor and irony and are often created around sexist ideologies.