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A new report focusing on pornography’s “devastating impact” on society entitled “The Social Costs of Pornography: A Statement of Findings and Recommendations” has just been released.
The study has been embraced with relish by some groups that now feel vindicated in their long-standing anti-porno stance. From The National Catholic Register:
Sponsored by the Princeton University-based Witherspoon Institute, the report cites numerous social-science studies that confirm the often devastating impact of pornography on regular users, their families and society at large. It concludes with proposed guidelines for policy-makers, law enforcement, professional organizations and educators.
Experts and religious groups that have struggled for years to raise awareness about the destructive consequences of pornography use hope the news will contribute to a sea change in social attitudes.
I don’t think it comes as any surprise that porn is officially a link in the chain of what’s now commonly known as sex addiction (thank you so much, Tiger Woods). That being said, there’s also no doubt that pornography can be part of normal, healthy sexual relationships, not to mention the masturbatory lives of millions of people. I personally find porn kind of humorous—I tend to try to follow the storylines such as they are and wind up laughing so hard that tears are rolling down my face. However, I know a lot of people enjoy it. It’s sort of like role playing or light bondage or even oral sex—some people just aren’t into it.
I learned a valuable lesson from one of my students during my first year teaching. I thought I heard the kid say ‘porn’ and started doing the whole, “I don’t tolerate that kind of language in my classroom!” thing. He held up the new Korn CD, smirked, and said, “So what’s on YOUR mind, Ms. Loud?” Yup, not one of my finer moments, and honestly one I’d forgotten about until reading this article. Reflecting, it bothers the me I am now that I used to be the kind of person who would freak out at the word ‘porn’ (or the word ‘Korn’, which is even worse).
It’s noteworthy that the article crowing over this is from a Catholic-based organization. I was raised a Catholic and, while I think their masses are beautiful and the extensive knowledge of the Bible provided through religious education is a great base, it really bothers me how the religion as a whole tries to politicize everything from reproductive rights to stem cell research in the name of God. I have a very close personal relationship with my God, I know the Bible better than most people that spout half-truths as Christian fact, I’m not into porn, and this whole thing really pisses me off.
I mean, the article states:
“While the cultural shift in attitudes about the harm caused by smoking has been quite rapid, we’re not yet there on pornography. Too many people say, ‘I have a right to it. Everybody does it,’” reported Mary Anne Layden, director of the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Cognitive Therapy who co-authored the report with Mary Eberstadt, a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
How are smoking and porn remotely comparable? Smoking is explicitly dangerous for both smokers themselves and anyone they come in contact with. Porn is not. Smoking is a physical addiction that often requires medical intervention in the form of nicotine patches or hypnosis to overcome. Porn does not. Smoking causes permanent and irreparable physical damage. Porn does not.
And this?
In fact, anti-pornography crusaders received another boost from the American Psychiatric Association, which just released new draft diagnostic guidelines that identified pornography addiction as a form of “hypersexual disorder” and thus worthy of serious study and treatment.
I understand that there are cases where pornography is a problem. I can’t help but notice, however, that the words “pornography addiction” is the language used by the APA. It’s not like everybody who’s into porn has social damage. There are just cases where it’s part of a bigger problem, that nebulous “sex addiction” made infamous by David Duchovny in 2008 and dragged back into the limelight through the likes of the aforementioned Mr. Woods and more recently David Boreanaz.
Is this really as trivial as I’m seeing it, or am I way off base here?
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It does give an unrealistic image of what were suppose to look like,we can’t all be hung like a mule and have perfect perky boobies. I use to do porn(stage name-Buster Hymen)but I got tired of all the multiple partners,and the weekly anal bleaching!
Man, if you’re hung like a mule AND have perfect perky boobies, you could have an incredible porn career.
disclaimer: i am a christian.
personally, i think porn is a problem. and no, not just because that is what the church teaches, but because i think it damages the relationship i have with my wife. porn use causes men to build a catalog of images in their head that become easily accessible when aroused. do women really want their men to be fantasizing about someone with a tinier waist, bigger boobs, or a different face? also, it builds unrealistic expectations of what sex is. women don’t always want to jump on a man’s stuff when she sees it. and they shouldn’t be expected to do that.
do i think that some who watch/use porn know these things and are still love and satisfy their wives? yes, definitely. however, i don’t think that is the way it should be. we are horny creatures, but our relationships work much better when we are both physically and mentally faithful to our spouses.
there’s my two cents.
Action movies create an unrealistic example of human life.
Cars don’t explode when they hit a curb, and if they do, you won’t be able to jump out in time. Your car also can’t jump a missing bridge span.
These lead to confusion, and dangerous activity. Action movies should be banned.
Romance novels give an unrealistic example of human interaction. Men don’t really want to just lay there and cuddle and stare at you all night, and they shouldn’t be expected to do that. Romance novels (or movies) give women a catalogue of images of muscled men with no chest hair who love washing dishes to think about when aroused. Do men really want their women fantasizing about someone with bigger muscles, nicer abs or a different face?
I hope my point is obvious.
People with brains can distinguish between porn and reality, just as they distinguish between other entertainment media and reality. And if you find the person you’re dating can’t, you should ditch them, so their brainlessness will not be perpetuated in the dating pool.
Wow.. A guy with a brain.. Finally. I agree with you 100%.
Social damage caused by porn? What about the social damage caused by the thousands of fast food commercials that fill our air waves daily? What about the social damage caused by magazines, the models they choose, and the body image they send?
If the religious types really want to get worked up about something, there are more important things to focus on than any possible social consequences of porn.
And let’s be honest: Porn is part of the sex industry, and the sex industry has always existed, and as long as there are humans who want to have sex, it always will.
What people do in their homes and personal lives is not the business of anyone else, whether it’s watching porn, shooting heroin, or crocheting an afghan.
what if it is molesting little children? (not equating porn and child molesting, just pointing out that your last statement is a little strong)
I think that the prevention of child molestation is extremely important. Perhaps the researchers and supporters of this study should stop focusing on porn in people’s homes and start focusing on the massive child molestation ring that is thinly veiled by organized religion.
perhaps it could be argued that having a proper understanding of sexual relationships and learning to control your sexual urges would keep people from physically molesting others. i’m not saying that all porn users are at risk of molesting anyone, just arguing that this study is not simply a waste of time.
i’d rather have this conversation in real-life. it is hard to really make yourself clear in online discussions.
Its profound to think that your child may be safer being watched by a pornstar than a catholic priest.
Excellent point,eating disorders kill people,don’t know anybody that ever masturbated to death.
Actually, I did once see a bit of tv about the weirdest sexual misadventures, and a German guy ended up electrocuting himself to death because of the home-made masturbation kit he had rigged up while watch porn.
It’s also possible there was some kind of Bratwurst sausage involved, though that may just be a racial stereotype on my part.
You know that guy wins the all-time Darwin Award.
Can we agree to amend to ‘what people do *alone* in their personal lives*?
Certainly, your right to privacy and freedom ends when it begins to impinge on another’s (like say, the mentioned child).
Alone or with consenting adults, I really don’t care/mind that you’re into S&M with your willing able minded/bodied partner.
yes, that’s a much better one. What anyone does in their own time with consenting adults (either only the one self, or any others).
Within that framework, it’s all up to you. when kids or nonconsent comes in to it, then we have reason to take issue.
Obviously there is such a thing as porn addiction, but I think most people who watch porn are not addicted and can watch it in a healthy manner. As for the American Psychiatric Association, I think they just like to be able to find a disease for everybody.
I don’t have a problem with porn. Neither does my boyfriend. I cannot understand the terror that it seems to elicit. I know it’s not real. He knows it’s not real. And I resent the implication that we’re too stupid to understand the difference.
The Catholic church, with its current strictures against sexual activity amongst its clergy, is somehow qualified to tell me what is sexually acceptable? This same organization that demands celibacy, which is not a natural human state, yet is riddled with allegations of sexual improprieties has the gall to dictate how I live my sexual life?
I don’t think so.
Actually, IF you are Catholic, and if you therefore believe that there is a god in charge of moral laws, then yes, the church is completely qualified to pass on what they believe god says is sexually acceptable.
If you are not Catholic, ignore Catholic dictates.
The organisation does not demand celibacy. It requires it from a small number of people, and asks them to evaluate very carefully before making that commitment. It holds nothing against people who decide it is not for them, and is very clear that it is not for everyone.
Then we shall have to agree to disagree. Inshallah.
Let us not forget its benefits. As I hear it, the porn industry drove developments leading to home theater. Here’s to you, Porn Guys, for making it possible for me to watch the Star Wars trilogy to the poin t of memorization as a child! Huzzah!
And all the terrific advancements in platform shoe technology.
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I personally have nothing positive to say about porn. It has no place in my sex life. I don’t use it. My fiance doesn’t use it. We get along just fine without it.
I have to agree. I have no adversity toward it, I just don’t have any place for it in my life, either. If others are fine with it, hey, fine. Not a big deal and I’m not judgmental about it, either. It’s just not my cup of tea, I suppose.
I suspect you mean aversion.
If I read too many of your posts,I feel like I’m on acid!
That’s pretty much where I am as well. I personally find it kind of repulsive, but I really don’t think it’s hurting anyone (with the exception of child porn).
It’s all about freedom of choice. I have no use for it either. But it’s not hurting anyone, and if other people like it, it’s none of my business.
nothing wrong with a little bit o’ porn!
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Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! How is it that a religious group can single out anything and claim it should be banned because of the hard it causes society. The most heinous attrocities are committed over religion and race. Porn as a cause is a fair way down the list (personally, I don’t think it’s even on the list).
The only bad thing about porn is that it’s kinda dangerous and some women just shouldn’t get into it and get damaged as a result. However, is it anymore dangerous that say coal mining, or mine sweeping? I doubt it. The last time I even heard of anyone getting HIV from porn was in 2004. It basically shut down the industry for 3 months. That’s not to say that no-one else got it in that time, but still…..
It’s ridiculous how crackpots grab onto somethings and never let go. Porn is evil, computer games destroy society, boat people are all terrorists, but religious groups get a free pass. It makes me sick.
i love sex as much as i love life,porn,licking tits and the more 2 important things is to put my dick in the girl porn or ass :) :D ohhh yeah that feeels good
I’m a female who finds the misogynistic language on porn boxes to be more offensive than the porn itself. The language is always about “sluts” “whores” who are “so stupid” and will “believe anything you tell them.” I don’t understand why that’s okay. You would never be able to speak about the races like this, so why can you still demean women on these boxes? What does it do for men to think of these women as “no good sluts” while they’re watching them have sex??? Porn from the past was never like this – while the acts were the same, the misogyny was not so blatently there. What has happened that has made this acceptable? We women (and any man that has a wife, sister, or daughter) must start speaking aloud and trying to change these rules. The women in porn have generally had a difficult childhood, stemming from abusive fathers and neglectful mothers. We can not just call them all “whores” openly in society – it is a brutal and unfair shame to act so inhumanely to women who may not know better. (How many people have ‘issues’ that they don’t even know about until they see a therapist? The point is that we all justify our actions as “being us” – we can’t see what we do until its pointed out to us. Do women in porn think they are insecure and suffering from abusive pasts? No, they think that “sex is great” and that they “make their own decisions” and “love having sex.”) Moreover, when we do this SO openly on websites, we start setting a standard in society. Women and men, do not let your daughters have to live with this standard. There is enough pain in the world without us demeaning 50% of the world’s population. Women, stop turning a blind eye and either not saying anything or happily saying that you LOVE porn and have no problems with it. I personally like porn and use it, but I DO NOT like the misogyny that goes with it. There is nothing more sad than a young girl who looks scared while a group of men have vigorous sex with her on camera. Its just not right. You don’t have to be religious or a politician to say outloud that it is wrong.
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