Prurient Interest.

Prurient interest is a term that relates to obscenity laws and the regulation of sexually explicit material. It refers to a morbid, unhealthy, or excessive interest in sexual matters that goes beyond ordinary curiosity or prurience. The concept of prurient interest is often used in legal contexts to determine whether certain material is obscene and therefore not protected by the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech.

The Supreme Court of the United States has established a three-pronged test, known as the Miller test, to determine whether material is obscene. One of the prongs of the Miller test focuses on whether the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in sex. In this context, "prurient interest" refers to a lascivious or unhealthy interest in sex that is beyond what is considered within the bounds of acceptable societal norms.

The determination of prurient interest can be subjective and may depend on community standards and the context in which the material is presented. Courts consider various factors, including the explicitness of the material, its dominant theme, and its overall impact on the average person applying contemporary community standards.

It's important to note that obscenity laws and the definition of prurient interest can vary between jurisdictions, and different countries may have different standards when it comes to regulating sexually explicit material. The specifics of obscenity laws and their application should be considered within the relevant legal framework.