The subject of porn has long been stigmatized. If you watch porn, you’re a pervert – if you don’t watch porn, you’re a prude. This isn’t really fair to the vast majority of people who fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum – sexually aware, but not sexually perverse.

Generally, most women fall in this middle section, although some may portray themselves as being at one of the ends, as it suits their overall image.

However, recently porn for women has been making huge advances. Women are more ready to admit that they are watching porn than they were in the past – which has resulted in more porn directed for women.

Since the directors now know that women are interested, too, they can create things that are actually targeted at us, instead of us being forced to watch porn that was designed with a man in mind.

Sex is a thriving industry, after all, and those who manage the business side of sex know that it’s in their best interest to cater to their audience.

Reason #1: Because women watch it.

Certainly, there have always been women who watch porn; it’s nothing new in itself. However, the sexual liberation that women have felt in the last decade or so (with people calling attention to the hypocrisy of “slut shaming”, for example) makes it to where they’re less likely to keep it hidden.

Reason #2: Because the industry knows women want it.

When Lego found out that girls were playing with their toys, too (even though they were originally marketed as a “boys’ toy”), they began putting out sets that were “for girls”. The same can be said for many industries. If they know that a change needs to be made, and they value their profits, they will make that change in order to cater to a wider audience.

If women are watching, the porn industry is listening – and responding. This is just a good business decision!

Reason #3: Because it’s more widespread.

Once upon a time, porn was seen as sleazy and something reserved for those with specific fetishes. Nowadays, porn covers a much wider variety of “topics”, or categories… If you’re interested in something, even remotely, there’s probably a porn for it.

This means that now you can find porn you like, even if you’re not into “anal fisting”. (Of course, this is only one example, but the point is there’s a huge selection out there.)

Reason #4: Because it’s a legitimate industry.

Back in the early days of the industry, online porn was pretty much limited to “amateur” stuff. There’s nothing wrong with amateurs, actually, but there’s a greater deal of porn actors and actresses who are now transitioning into “real” acting.

This position as a gateway career move may not be the best choice for all actresses, but if you see an actor or actress that you like, you’re generally more likely to want to see the other stuff they’re in. Sometimes, that “other stuff” is porn.

Additionally, it used to be impossible to find “lesbian porn” that wasn’t aimed at a straight male audience. These women were often heavily made up and usually sporting long acrylic fingernails – something that we know to be an inconvenience in “real” lesbian sex.

However, as the industry becomes more reputable, we have seen a new influx of lesbian porn that is actually targeted to real lesbians. It’s still not as widely known as its “artificial” counterpart, but as it becomes more readily available, lesbians are eating it up!

Reason #5: Because nothing has changed except our inhibitions.

In general, our society is becoming less inhibited as time goes on. As recently as ten years ago, no one would have thought that an erotic book would become a best-seller – especially with women!

However, 50 Shades of Grey showed up and changed everything. People were suddenly very interested in the idea of a bondage lifestyle, even though the book (and the movie) didn’t accurately portray them. The important thing is that it caught our interest.

In addition to being more accepting of these things, we are more willing to share our interests with others. The social media age has made it so simple to share what you’re reading, what you’re watching, and every aspect of what you’re doing. Indeed, some people still hold back on what they post for fear of being judged – but the actual judgement isn’t there in the same degree it used to be.

Overall, I don’t think that porn is really attracting more female viewers; it’s just catering to its female viewers better than it ever has before. Porn is less what 13-year-old boys watch when they can get a hold of it and more a real movie genre now.

Production values have gone up, marketing has improved, and stylistically there are some pornographic films that are absolutely breath-taking. This beauty is something we as women will inherently flock towards.