# Are porn stars physically damaged by their work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 22, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782 "2012-11-22T00:39:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/21 "2012-11-25T03:59:03Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > If it’s actually the case that you don’t have a stance in the future please put arguments that aren’t your owns in quotations, or better yet in the quote tag, so people can know it isn’t what you yourself are saying, in your first post on this thread I thought you wrote that. I thought the link at the bottom to the exact article those words were from would clue you in as to if those were my words or not. But feel free to jump on me next time you assume and then fail to apologize when it is pointed out you were mistaken. Totally my fault, I see that now. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/22 "2012-11-25T04:03:36Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > I thought the link at the bottom to the exact article those words were from would clue you in as to if those were my words or not. > > But feel free to jump on me next time you assume and then fail to apologize when it is pointed out you were mistaken. > > Totally my fault, I see that now. :rolleyes: A bunch of text you could’ve very well wrote followed by “read more” and then a link does not automatically mean you didn’t write it, especially considering I didn’t read your link. And it’s utterly confusing why you would post two links if you don’t have an opinion either way (which I don’t believe). :dubious: If you don’t like porn that’s fine, I don’t really care, but don’t play a shell game of what you believe by quoting something you don’t agree with (without proper attribution) and then saying you don’t care either way. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/23 "2012-11-25T04:12:00Z")
I was just providing information to answer the poster question. I posted one which supported the claim porn workers suffer physical damage and one which refuted it. Also, I don’t care what you believe. Why is it impossible to believe someone wouldn’t care either way about porn? It’s there, people do it, people watch it. Some are damaged by it, some are not. None of my business, I don’t care about mainstream porn. I do have opinions abut child porn though. Care to assume what that may be, you would probably be right this time. I properly attributed it by posting THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. It’s not my fault you jumped to the wrong conclusions about authorship without further investigation a simple clicking and reviewing of the link would have provided. That’s your fault ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/24 "2012-11-25T04:34:49Z")
> [@sco3tt](#): > > That was quite a stretch, but congrats on seeing an opening to work that one in. 🙂 I see what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/25 "2012-11-25T04:41:31Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > If it’s actually the case that you don’t have a stance in the future please put arguments that aren’t your owns in quotations, or better yet in the quote tag, so people can know it isn’t what you yourself are saying, in your first post on this thread I thought you wrote that. > [@rogerbox](#): > > A bunch of text you could’ve very well wrote followed by “read more” and then a link does not automatically mean you didn’t write it, especially considering I didn’t read your link. [Moderating] **rogerbox** , it was perfectly clear in **April R’s** posts that she was quoting from other sources. They were within quote tags, and had the link below. If you don’t bother to look at the links themselves, that’s your own fault. If you want to take issue with the information itself, go ahead. There’s no call to accuse her of deception. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/26 "2012-11-25T04:51:23Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Moderating] > They were within quote tags Take a look at that first one again real close. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/27 "2012-11-25T04:53:17Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > Take a look at that first one again real close. I conceded that. However, I did post the link to the exact article. Plus it was obvious that i copy and pasted that first post if one actually read it in it’s entirety, since I missed the “Advertisement” part in the middle, which I failed to remove before the edit time limit was up. Anyone with the slightest skill in observation would have seen that blatant mistake on my part and realized it was copy and pasted from somewhere else, despite my failure to put it in quotation marks. Now the moderator has spoken and it’s over. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/28 "2012-11-25T05:44:30Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > Take a look at that first one again real close. It still doesn’t justify your accusations of deception. > [@April\_R](#): > > Now the moderator has spoken and it’s over. Yes. This back and forth is hijacking the thread. Let’s get back to the subject of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/29 "2012-11-25T05:53:22Z")
The thread is a few months old but you might try asking [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=661336). ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/30 "2012-11-25T13:38:03Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I see what you did there. . . . and it cannot ever be un-seen. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/31 "2012-11-25T14:06:24Z")
Even if porn actresses get injured while performing, I cannot justify the outrage of some groups. The type of work we do always affects us in one way or another. Welders get some vision problems no matter how good eye protection they use. Construction workers will have knee and back pains. Office workers get carpal tunnel syndrome. Why not get outraged about all these much more common (and if you ask me, more dilapidating) work related injuries, but get your panties in a twist over some porn actresses chaffed pussy? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/32 "2012-11-26T00:00:04Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Moderating] > > **rogerbox** , it was perfectly clear in **April R’s** posts that she was quoting from other sources. They were within quote tags, and had the link below. If you don’t bother to look at the links themselves, that’s your own fault. If you want to take issue with the information itself, go ahead. There’s no call to accuse her of deception. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator And there’s no call for you to get in the middle of it, seeing as accusing someone of deception is not against the rules. Especially since you refuse to punish April R. for posting a bunch of links without providing her own content. Furthermore, it doesn’t matter if she just posted links. It is inherently deceptive to post links that you don’t agree with without making it clear that you don’t believe in them. The assumption is that you believe what you post. And, again, I’m not breaking any rules by pointing that out. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/33 "2012-11-26T00:18:04Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And there’s no call for you to get in the middle of it, seeing as accusing someone of deception is not against the rules. Especially since you refuse to punish April R. for posting a bunch of links without providing her own content. > > Furthermore, it doesn’t matter if she just posted links. It is inherently deceptive to post links that you don’t agree with without making it clear that you don’t believe in them. The assumption is that you believe what you post. And, again, I’m not breaking any rules by pointing that out. **Moderator Note** Actually, you are. If you have a disagreement with my moderation, the correct course is to open a thread in ATMB, not to dispute it or argue about the rules in the thread in question. You’ve been here plenty long enough to know this. No warning issued, but stop continuing the hijack now. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/34 "2012-11-26T00:19:27Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And there’s no call for you to get in the middle of it, seeing as accusing someone of deception is not against the rules. Especially since you refuse to punish April R. for posting a bunch of links without providing her own content. > > Furthermore, it doesn’t matter if she just posted links. It is inherently deceptive to post links that you don’t agree with without making it clear that you don’t believe in them. The assumption is that you believe what you post. And, again, I’m not breaking any rules by pointing that out. What the hell is on your schedule that makes you SUCH a busy-ass-body? ---
**Author:** ![LazlowRave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ee59a6/32.png) [@LazlowRave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LazlowRave)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/35 "2012-11-26T00:41:45Z")
> [@Dog80](#): > > Why not get outraged about all these much more common (and if you ask me, more dilapidating) work related injuries, but get your panties in a twist over some porn actresses chaffed pussy? I can see a point when it determines ones safety of injury. However they opening know all issues from the job. Also legally in sure there is a contract or process with put the production company non liable of any injury. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/36 "2012-11-26T01:01:20Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > What the hell is on your schedule that makes you SUCH a busy-ass-body? [Moderator Note] **Ambivalid** , insults are not permitted in General Questions. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator [Moderator Instructions] To everyone else, let’s keep to the subject of the OP. Further off-topic responses, particularly personal remarks about other posters or discussion of moderation, may receive an official warning. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/37 "2012-11-26T01:06:03Z")
The study mentioned early actually deals with the content of porn, that study was not looking for what happened to the performers. (As pointed before by other posters, it is not really what most people look in porn, in other words, not really as representative, niche fetishes point to fewer women involved). A more recent study points out that there is not much to the “damage goods” point. > **[Are Porn Stars Happier?](http://neuroskeptic.blogspot.com/2012/11/are-porn-stars-happier.html)** > > Women who appear in porn are happier than other women, enjoy sex more - and have lots more of it. So says a new paper with the pulls-no-p... > [@](#): > > Women who appear in porn are happier than other women, enjoy sex more - and have lots more of it. > > So says a new paper with the pulls-no-punches title of Pornography Actresses: An Assessment of the Damaged Goods Hypothesis > > Researchers James Griffith and colleagues sampled 177 American adult actresses, and an equal number of other women of the same age, gender and relationship status. The results were pretty clear: the actresses said they started having sex earlier; had far more partners with an average of 75 vs. 5 in their lifetime (and that’s not including on camera). > > They were a lot more likely to be bisexual (67% vs 7%!), enjoyed sex more, and reported slightly higher levels of sexual satisfaction, happiness and self-esteem. > > On the other hand, they were more worried about STDs and took more drugs (50% had tried ecstasy, 40% cocaine and 27% methamphetamine.) > > Finally - and the authors emphasize this - they were no more likely than other women to have suffered childhood sexual abuse. They’re not ‘damaged goods’ as that horrible phrase has it. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/38 "2012-11-26T12:16:20Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > The study mentioned early actually deals with the content of porn, that study was not looking for what happened to the performers. (As pointed before by other posters, it is not really what most people look in porn, in other words, not really as representative, niche fetishes point to fewer women involved). > > A more recent study points out that there is not much to the “damage goods” point. > > [Neuroskeptic: Are Porn Stars Happier?](http://neuroskeptic.blogspot.com/2012/11/are-porn-stars-happier.html) You mean that the performers are _acting_, and just pretending to experience brutality and humiliation? Next you’ll try to tell me that no one actually gets shot during an action movie. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/39 "2012-11-27T09:19:08Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > You mean that the performers are _acting_, and just pretending to experience brutality and humiliation? Plenty of them aren’t even doing that. They’re just having sex. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782/40 "2012-11-27T09:36:13Z")
> [@Dog80](#): > > Even if porn actresses get injured while performing, I cannot justify the outrage of some groups. > > The type of work we do always affects us in one way or another. Welders get some vision problems no matter how good eye protection they use. Construction workers will have knee and back pains. Office workers get carpal tunnel syndrome. The way you say it, it sounds as if every single welder gets vision problems from work: they don’t. As if every construction worker gets knee and back pains from work: they don’t. As if every single office worker gets carpal tunnel syndrome: we don’t. I’m sure there’s porn actors who get physically hurt at work, but I’m also sure there’s preventative measures that can be put in place - same as in any other job. The way many US laws are written, with size limits to company duties, maybe a small porn producing company there does not need to have personnel dedicated to preventing injuries; firms based in Western Europe do, because our safety laws do not account for company size (while not in porn, I’m a company of one and I do have to have a safety officer; being a company of one, it’s someone from my work insurance company; I’m required to have a medical checkup and a prevention talk every year). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-stars-physically-damaged-by-their-work/641782.md?page=3)