There's actually quite a bit of research on the effects of porn, but none of it settles
whether or not porn is helpful or harmful.
I did find a sort of common ground in this odd review of literature. The effects are not a result of
the porn, they are a result of the people.
In the words of sociologist/sexologist Ira Reiss,
"Our reactions to sexually arousing films or books
provide insight into our personal sexual attitudes. What
we are really reacting to is not the objective material,
but rather a projection of our own innermost feelings
concerning the type of sexuality presented."
Take for example this glass of water. I'm going to put yellow food coloring in it,
because this episode is about porn.
The question is often "does porn cause aggressive sexual tendencies?"
Dr. Reiss is suggesting that's like asking if water causes things to float.
If we just put a cork in there, then the answer will be yes. But what about a lollipop? A key, or battery?
I know, displacement, density, but in this water these things, most things in this room, would not float.
Because, like tendencies of sexual aggression, it's not an effect of porn.
It's an effect of personal sexual attitudes. You want to know the effects of porn?
Depends on who is going in the water.
So who?
50 to 99 percent of men consume sexually explicit material. 67 percent of them
think it's acceptable behavior. 30 to 86 percent of women consume it, 49 percent of them
think it's acceptable. 90 percent came in contact with it by age 16, 50 percent by age 11.
I'll give you a moment with these stats.
These numbers are millions of unique individuals who comprise a multi-billon dollar market.
Their experiences with porn, or what you may call the effects are also varied, and there are so many of them.
Here's the list so you can judge for yourself whether or not they're positive or negative.
People who use pornography may experience:
Sensations of arousal,
Intense pleasure,
Changes in self-image,
New body expectations of themselves or partners,
Desire for cosmetic surgery.
Some people may act dependent on porn to become aroused or feel pleasure. 83 percent use
it recreationally, 11 percent are at risk for a reality like the remaining 6 percent who use it compulsively.
This may lead to secondary experiences or effects to friends and family who may struggle with
depression, fear, and loneliness. Some seek counseling and/or divorce.
The 44 percent of partners who watch porn with each other experience more dedication to the
relationship, increased sexual satisfaction, and higher levels of intimacy.
Other experiences: People who consume porn tend to hold more traditional gender roles, normalize theatrical
sex, as in porn sex is thought to be the way that sex should be.
For many, pornography is a source of sexual education leading to more sexual knowledge.
With porn people expand their sexual experiences, increase their communication.
They say "Yeah, let's do that!" Or "No, I am not doing that."
Sexual experimentation goes up, and sexual expression.
Some doubt if their own sexualities are normal and adequate.
Others may feel cheated by not having the sex lives of porn stars, or partners like porn stars.
There's coercion to do what's on the screen, and sexual harassment.
There's exposure to sexual diversity, behaviors, and identities. An example is of a woman, now knowing
that squirting is natural. One of the most common common experiences of porn I suppose is really
an effect of masturbation. That you can have sexual stimulation without
rejection, criticism, infections, pregnancy, or a partner.
My take is that porn can be an industry that teaches healthy sexuality and positive attitudes toward others.
Stay curious!
This episode was funded by generous support from viewers like you. Check it out, Patreon!
To thank you for making sexplanations possible I asked which topic I should sexplain, and the
and the effect of the vote was the effects of porn.
Thank you to everyone for the cool opportunity to stay curious.
It is like porn, see, 'cause you get wet.