Pornography harmful to mind?

[rthmjohn]

Conservatives would argue that pornography is morally wrong and psychologically harmful, while liberals would say that porn relieves stress and sexual tensions. Some believe that pornography is degrading to women, while others can argue that most women engage in sexually explicit activity by their own free will. You can also see those religious billboards on the highway that say "PORN DESTROYS SOULS." Is there any evidence that pornography is actually psychologically detrimental? Does porn afect one's social life. Are MEN the ONLY ones who look view porn? I realize the awkward subject matter, and only ask that it be addressed professionally and seriously.

[Mokele]

Are MEN the ONLY ones who look view porn?

 

I don't know about the other two (I can guess, but I think you want real facts/studies/references), but I do know that women do look at porn, just not as frequently.

 

Annecdotally, I've noticed that of my women friends, the willingness to look at or read porn is inversely proportional to how straight they are. But that's just my experience.

 

Mokele

[ashennell]

This is my gut feeling about this kind of thing and nothing more:

 

The effect that viewing pornagraphy has on the individual is more likely to depend on the views and attitudes of the society that the person is accustomed to than the actual act itself. Hence, entirely relative. I.E. the experience of the individual at that point in time is pretty much the same for anyone. However, subsequent feelings are pretty much determined by the dominant social climate. This means that any any consequent psychological effect is as much to do with the state of society as it is with actual pornographic content. This would lead to asking - is there a preffered view on the viewing of pornograhic material?

 

Another view is that the effect of porn may depend on the individual.

[Maioux]

Being a woman, I admit to looking at porn. It's not as often as a mans, and it's more (no offense) but tastful. Artistic would be a better word for it. I like both men and women, but in different ways. I think the male body is unattractive. To see a nude man doesn't turn me on. A female, on the other hand, has a more graceful body, and to view one (that's of my standards, of course) turns me on. The thing I like about men is the fact that they have.....units;)

[YT2095]

don`t ask me for a source or a case study, I don`t remember. but a study HAS been done, and it depends on what you mean by Porn.

by that I mean that Women will indulge in porn material to the same extent as Men will, however our Triggers are different.

Females tend to prefer Reading porn material, while the Male is more Visualy orientated.

the Women tend to be more "Cerebral" about it and Men more Physical.

 

again, don`t ask for a source, I just rem that it was a good and reliable one.

[john5746]

Conservatives would argue that pornography is morally wrong and psychologically harmful, while liberals would say that porn relieves stress and sexual tensions. Some believe that pornography is degrading to women, while others can argue that most women engage in sexually explicit activity by their own free will. You can also see those religious billboards on the highway that say "PORN DESTROYS SOULS." Is there any evidence that pornography is actually psychologically detrimental? Does porn afect one's social life. Are MEN the ONLY ones who look view porn? I realize the awkward subject matter, and only ask that it be addressed professionally and seriously.

 

One Affect: Many men come to believe that the penis is some magical tool that will bring women to orgasm instantly.

[imasmartgirl]

Are MEN the ONLY ones who look view porn? .

 

hell no! i love porn the dirtier the better. I like looking at nude men, especially 2 hot gay guys all over each other. I think maybe i look at porn more than the men. Not that i'm desperate or anything, i just have out of control hormones that most guys can't even keep up with.

[SorceressPol]

I watch porn. As a matter of fact my friends and I were just discussing this one pirate porno coming out that looks like it has a plot. The only problem for us women is that we get jipped on cute guys. I am starting to see hotter guys in pornos. I think the difference is that most women actually care about the storyline. The only way I've seen porn in a negative way is by some guys who watch it in excess. They're kinda creepy.

[Reina]

I definitely watch porn, the raunchier the better. I think that if you have a problem with porn, then you just have a problem with sex in general. There's nothing wrong with watching some hardcore porn every once in a while. Plus, it gives you ideas for some in bed action. :spank

 

Of course if you are into kiddie porn, beastiality, etc, then you got problems. THats just on a whole other different level.

[YT2095]

at this juncture I`de also like to add that not ALL guys, watch or look at or read (or whatever) Porn.

and to also point out that keeping this thread Clean and Free of TOO MUCH un-needed info, is critical to keeping it Open

[Reina]

at this juncture I`de also like to add that not ALL guys' date=' watch or look at or read (or whatever) Porn.

and to also point out that keeping this thread Clean and Free of TOO MUCH un-needed info, is critical to keeping it Open [/quote']

 

 

Sure not all, just 99.9% of them lol

[imasmartgirl]

I watch porn. As a matter of fact my friends and I were just discussing this one pirate porno coming out that looks like it has a plot. QUOTE]

 

was it rated aaaarrrrr? sorry, couldn't resist.

[MaxCathedral]

This is such a tricky jungle to navigate because it depends on so many quirks.

 

Is it normal of a man to dedicate himself to porn, rather than experience the real thing.

 

 

Is there a difference between a lonely business man on the road, or a curious teen verses the porn "addict" who can't wait for the next issues of his 10 favorite mags.

 

Where is the line between sexual release vs sexual obession?

[rthmjohn]

Now that we've established that women also view porn, can we focus on whether or not porn alters one psychologically? I agree with YT. Let's be professional about this

[ashennell]

I found this as a starter :

 

Pornography and teenagers: the importance of individual differences.

Adolesc Med Clin. 2005 Jun;16(2):315-26, viii.

 

'Depending on particular constellations of personality characteristics, the effects of pornography may differ considerably among different teenagers as well as within different cultures. The research suggests that particular concerns may be needed for those who are highly frequent consumers of pornography, those who seek out sexually violent content, and those who also have other risk factors.'

 

The study seems to conclude that for certain people chronic pornographic consumption may lead to an increase in sexually aggressive behvaiour.

 

Like I said in my previous post - the differences between individuals and effects caused by different cultures is likely to be greater than any overriding similarities.

 

I think porn must fall into the category of things that are accepted despite some possible negative effects because for the vast majority of people it does not cause a problem. Freedom of choice, etc, etc.

[-Demosthenes-]

It's partly question or morality. Whether you think it's wrong or not. I assure you, there are a lot of people who find it quite disgusting.

 

It's harmful to relationships, it's addictive, and frankly very offesive to many people.

[Mokele]

It's harmful to relationships

 

In your opinion, and even if you are correct, only to *some* relationships.

 

it's addictive

 

Only to some individuals.

 

frankly very offesive to many people

 

And this matters why? The discussion is on health aspects, not beliefs.

 

Mokele

[-Demosthenes-]

So maybe it's mostly based on personal morals and beliefs, but there are still potential negatives.

[rthmjohn]

Does one's cultural beliefs make one immune to harmful effects of porn? Europeans tend to have less of a negative attitude toward porn, so are they less likely to become sexually aggressive porn addicts?

[softdragonz]

I dunno how it feels to you guys but...

 

me and most of my friends experienced the feeling below

 

When ever you see porn your mind feels a little bad ....a little feeling that something is missing in your life.....

 

Also, we feel distracted from work....

 

I don't know but I felt doing some maths or having a romantic talk with someone felt more pleasureful and enjoyable than WATCHING PORN

 

But I feel that it is harmless enough to see it once a while (....perhaps once a week )

[JonM]

Porno has been around since the Renaissance :

 

 

Venus of Urbino, by TITian

 

Its porn disguised to be tasteful...

This was made for some wealthy aristocrat and placed in a back room somewhere... or other paintings would have a drape over them to cover it up...

 

 

Prostitution has been around forever…

Plus I bet some of the first scenes to be shot on film were people having sex...

 

Its natural, it always been around and it should always be around... its sex... its normal stuff... I don’t see what the big deal is…

[Dale Gribble]

Actualy the first "stag film" was a silent film of a woman taking off her bra. I've actually seen it.

[gib65]

This is from my own personal experience observing how women react to and listening to what they have to say about porn. It almost seems as though the social climat regarding porn is a huge deciding factor on whether or not they like it, not only in pressuring them to comfort to social acceptable standards but literally effecting how sensitive they are to arousal. This is not to say men are competely uneffected, but I'd predict there are a greater number of neural connections between the social/moral parts of of the female brain and the sexual arousal part than in the male brain.

 

I don't know, I'm not female, so I ask the women: does this describe what it feels like to be a women?

[Bluenoise]

I think far more harmful to the mind are certain social taboos that society beats into your head regrading porn than porn itself.

 

For instance many will argue that extreem fetishes like violet porn, kiddie porn, and beastiality are a result of sex being portrayed as something sinful or negative. People are sexual creatures (for the most part) thus if someone both thinks sex is negative but yet can't help but crave it than it increases the chance that they will crave negative violent, dirogetory, etc. actions along with it.

 

Basically by making sex "evil" you associate it with other "evil" actions.

So for many when they crave sex they crave these other actions as well.

 

Personally I don't see sex as nasty or rauchy or sinful or violent or attribute anything negative at all to it. So I have alot of trouble understanding how someone who does view it this way can find pleasure from such horrible things.

 

The only way I've seen porn in a negative way is by some guys who watch it in excess. They're kinda creepy.

 

Lol, oh yeah? And how much would you say is too much?

[Dale Gribble]

Much of the more extreme pornography you speak of stems from the desire to dominate. I speak from experience here, as I have about 2 GB of asphyxia and snuff-themed erotica in my hardrive. I'd never want to actually hurt anyone, or see anyone actually hurt, it's just a fantasy.