By Anne Griza
Psychologist and Sexologist

Erotica and pornography, far from being different terms, are complimentary. The so-possible difference between o­ne and another is much more etymological and cultural than anything else. Eroticism stems from Eros and stands for “loving desire” or” sensual love”, pornography stems from Greek pornographie and it is directly related to the prostitutes. Erotica – eroticism would then be sensuality, while pornography would be the imagery, sounds, objects that denote sex as such.

Through eroticism humans induce sexual impulse. sexual impulse is linked to the fantasy, which is the main element in the sex act. With eroticism, it is stimulated the inner most psychic and singular of each and every one. Within pornography figures of the imaginary are being stimulated, through pictorial, imagery, lexicon, sounds, all of which that could pep up his imagination towards masturbation or into the sex act itself.

It is down to culture to sort them out. on one corner, we have erotica, which relies on more implicit aspects, passionately, with a certain artistic refinement, on the other; we have pornography that entails contents deeply connected to sex’s explicit side, sexual relation, passion or involvement of the uncompromised kind. This differing is quite recent, and varies accordingly to culture; age and social walk lived in.

Certain authors sort out eroticism and pornography in terms of art. The prime would epitomize the beauty in art, with naked bodies in situations that denote may sex, none explicitly. As on the second case would be everyday sex, all that one could buy at sex shops or news stands. The banalization of sex, for them, it is pornography.

Eroticism is quintessential for pleasure; it is intrinsic within each one, while pornography is an accessory or sexual resort for us to obtain pleasure. Without eroticism, though, there is no pleasure, without pornography sexual pleasure takes place.  

Such may be an assortment on psychological grounds of two terms. An assortment that does not marginalize, that does not oppress.

Society as a whole considers pornography as somewhat dirty, done by people of low cultural profile. Most forget that sexuality does not choose level or hierarchy, and fantasizing is in everyone’s rights, regardless of one’s position in society.

Pornography can be quite useful in certain people’s lives, for having difficulty fantasizing in sex intercourse.

Others, in particular moments of their sexual lives, may reach out for pornography in their sexual relations. There is people who will never feel at ease to experiment such a thing, depends on each one and how one perceives pornography.

Every human being is erotic, but all is pornographic. Eroticism lies in everyone since the early years of life. Pornography may or may not be sought after throughout sex life. Each one must known what satisfy or not, and employing pornographic objects can be just one form of obtaining further sex-linked pleasure.