as usual with these general topics I'm not sure if this is the right place to post it. But since it ends in a question about playboy more or less I thought this might be the right place.
My interest for the topic of "softcore/ hardcore distinction" was iniated by the discussion of Frigo and Stemcell about it here. I had a look at ADT's/Dumblonde's Porn Dicktionary. Unfortunately I couldn't find definitions there. During further research I came across the following definitions in the article/subject on pornography at wikipedia. There it says: "A distinction is sometimes made between softcore pornography and hardcore pornography. The former generally refers to materials that feature nudity and sexually suggestive scenes, while hardcore or X-rated pornography contains close-ups of aroused genitalia and sexual activities including penetration." This brings me to the question: I have seen several sets from the US playboy where you could clearly see the labias/lips. So the border in the U.S. is "gentitalia" (softcore) and "aroused genitalia" (hardcore)? If so, why do there seem to be different categories over here in Germany (Europe?), where labias cannot be shown in softcore publications like Playboy ?
In America the difference between softcore and hardcore has to do with penetration, and if the act is seen on screen. Softcore can include female full frontal (and usually does) but very rarely is there male full frontal. Hardcore shows pretty much everything. There is also never a pop shot in softcore.
Playboy isn't really considered softcore anymore. It is soft, with no labia being shown, but it is more in the "gentleman's magazine" catagory. Some stores don't even keep it in the shrink wrap (the Tower by my apartment actually has a little display, with the magazine outside of the shrink wrap, where anyone can read it. Playboy is now basically Maxim with bare breasts.
Magazines and films are in a different class though. Hardcore magazines tend to show pictures of actual sex, or images where the vulva (the outer vagina such as the labia) is parted, showing more of the actual vagina. Softcore tend to just show breasts and pubic hair. I am pretty sure that Playboy, as of now, will not show between a woman's legs, and will never include hardcore material.
Also, the reference to "aroused genitalia" is usually more towards Male genitalia, because distinctions made in many of the US's obscenity laws refer specifically to erections and penetration, and do not include or specify restrictions between aroused and non-aroused female genitalia.
When I looked at Playboy I don't recall any overt display of a female's crotch, but that was a while ago. I always thought that Playboy would shy away from such stuff in order to avoid all but the most stringent obscenity laws and be more widely distributed.
Funny, I always assumed that Germany/Europe were much less restrictive and regulated. Is that not the case?
I am pretty sure that Playboy never features anything more than pubic hair. Actually, if I remember correctly, they also will not allow their playmates to do adult films, or hardcore photography. They try to distance themselves from the hardcore market as much as possible, when it comes to the Playboy bunnies.
You sometimes see a snatch of pussy lips in Playboy, but nothing more than that. Actually it makes something of a refreshing change to seeing a girl's tonsils from the wrong end. I actually like many of Playboy's pictorials, although the blondes can become difficult to tell apart after a while. What man doesn't envy Hugh?
does anyone know why U.S. magazines show full penetration and blowjobs now,up until the late '90s or so,they always hid the actual act behind their hands.If you wanted to see penetration,you had to buy mags like Private.Did some U.S. obscenity law expire?
I meant the usual mags on the stands,like High Society,Chic,Velvet,etc.They never showed full penetration,even though it was obvious the models were actually having sex,their hands were always strategically covering the "goods".
I don't know this for certain... but I think Husler decided to print hardcore images in the late 90's and damn the consequences. Obviously the consequences... and lawsuits... weren't as bad as they had feared, so they continued to print hardcore. Everybody else then jumped on the bandwagon. As far as I know only Penthouse has since backed away from printing hardcore... a pity as some of their photos were hot!
Thanks for your replies.Still, I believe that even the tiniest bit of pussy lips is not allowed over here (...or is this just a convention?).
Also the German playboy site has a (members) section which is called "Playboy Xtreme" full frontal nude (Penthouse style) from the US. I can't imagine that these pictures are not sold in the US?
Posted - May 8 2005 : 10:02AM
