Regarding personal well-being, healthy sex lives and sturdy relationships, pornography is a double-edged sword.
Pornography can either be absolutely forbidden or somewhat acceptable, depending on personal belief and, of course, the genre. We can all agree child porn or sadistic porn is downright deplorable, yes?
We also all know the porn industry stirs all sorts of social issues like female objectification. However, it still exists, so it’s best to determine how to best cope with it.
While porn’s negative effects outweigh the positives, it’s still a gray area for potential benefits.
Wait… What?
Before you freak out about that statement, think about this for a moment: Considering both sides will enable you to formulate fair perceptions of pornography, lessen harsh judgments, and gain understanding of why people do or don’t view it.
So, no, porn is not all bad. However, along with a bit of good come some risks, and some nasty ones at that.
Personal Health Impact
It’s obvious pornography is dominantly used to aid masturbation, especially for men (but not excluding women). It’s also no secret that masturbation can result in health benefits.
According to a Women to Women article by Carrie Levine, “Health Benefits of Self Cultivation,” masturbation can help prevent infections, improve heart health, help insomnia, strengthen pelvic muscles and relieve stress. And no, these aren’t female specific.
However, as a popular masturbation tool, pornography use can result in dramatic inner-self hindrances.
Solitary viewership, after that orgasmic relief, is really quite depressing. You’re alone, you’re aren’t sharing intimacy with anyone, and, thus, your self-confidence may dwindle due to loneliness. Extreme guilt may arise if your culture looks down upon porn or masturbation in the first place, resulting in even more self-worth depreciation.
Perhaps one of the most mind-damaging impacts of porn is the fact that—much like drugs and alcohol—it’s addictive.
A YouTube clip by Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown, “The Science of Pornography Addiction,” nicely explains how porn can feed this viscous cycle of dopamine release, tolerance build-up and reliance, resulting in a compulsive, out-of-control addiction that cripples your spirit.
Sex Life & Relationship Impact
Pornography overuse can also debilitate sexual functioning and maim romantic relationships.
For example, reliance is a very possible consequence of prolonged exposure to pornography, meaning you seriously can’t get off without it. How charming would it be to have a partner who absolutely must watch porn—even while having sex with you—in order to achieve orgasm?
What a dismal way to ruin a relationship!
Secret pornography viewership without your partner's consent can also wreak havoc on you and your partner’s intimacy. While this perception may differ from person to person, some people consider pornography use as serious as infidelity.
On the other hand, others may be more open to pornography in their relationships. Some use pornography to enrich their sex life as a mood setter or a source for new ideas.
Watching porn can also develop your sexual proficiency and boost your confidence about knowing what to do during intercourse.
Keep in mind, though, couples aren’t above the risk of pornography reliance. Sure, it might start as something fun, but it’s possible you could both end up needing that porno in order for sex to be satisfying.
Pornography can also be extremely unrealistic. It can distort reality and haze brains with delusive expectations. Sure, it might make you last longer, but without moderation, it can cause sexual difficulty.
Moderation: That’s the key. Yes, people can drink alcohol without being alcoholics, and, yes, people can watch porn without being porn addicts. To accomplish this, individuals must establish meticulous personal limits.
Why We (Especially) Must Acknowledge Pornography
According to a study conducted by Harvard researcher Ben Edelman, “Red Light States: Who Buys Online Adult Entertainment,” Utah is the leading state in pornography subscriptions with an average of 5.47 people per every 1,000.
It’s likely this statistic is another example of the forbidden fruit effect, along with curiosity in an extremely subdued culture. Because pornography use is so private, it’s the most ideal channel for those who simply cannot sexually express themselves without being ostracized.
Nonetheless, Utahns are watching porn and a lot of it. We, more than anyone, need to be aware of its risks, as well as how to use it in smart ways.
Before you hit “subscribe” or Google “Sasha Grey,” ensure you’ve established strict consumption limits and confirmed your partner’s consent.
Do you allow porn in your relationship? Share why or why not at Erotic Topic’s Facebook page or email [email protected].
Comments