Pornography: Use, Acceptance, and Affects on Relationships

What are the facts concerning pornography? How is a generation raised on the internet affected by it and how is the viewing of it changing their views of sex and marriage?
Sex is the most frequently searched topic on the Internet, with pornographic search-engine requests totaling approx. 68 million PER DAY (25% of all search engine requests). The industry of pornography rakes in $100 billion worldwide per/year, with over 13 billion in revenue from the USA. Technology advances since 1995 have created the “triple-A-engine” that fuels pornographic consumption: Accessibility of sites 24/7, Affordability- with many images and videos free to view and cheap pay-for-viewing site due to competition, and Anonymity of use. Until recently, research has primarily been limited to studying the affects of pornography in relationship to addiction, deviant behaviors (i.e. serial killers, child molesters, etc.), and criminal behavior. Now there are a few studies indicating usage and affects on moral, ethical, and value development. Pornography viewing is highest among 18-24 year olds (is that because of sexual exploration and development or because we have only been able to readily access it since 1995 and long-term use rates are unknown? No one knows yet.) with men viewing it more than women. Three studies that surveyed college students indicated 56% - 87% of men viewed it, whereas 24%- 49% of women viewed it, depending on the study’s findings. Eleven percent in one study view it once a week or more, another study showed that 1 in 5 male viewers view it daily or every other day. One study of young people (18-22 years old) found that 83% of men and 55% of women acted out to in self-pleasuring ways… saying it discreetly. Thirty-five percent of users view it while alone, 18% with an off-line partner, and 15% in a group context (I’m not sure what that means… one only knows). Recent studies of younger adults indicate that women are viewing it far more than in the past. Pornography use is considered just as normal now on college campuses as drinking. And as many college-age men binge drink, research is showing that they also “binge” on pornography- with binging patterns very similar for both items.
Women are becoming more accepting of it though many still do not view it as regularly as men. This change among women is one that has researchers concerned. Acceptance and use by women historically were much lower. This shift indicates of change in use as well as a change in values regarding its use. They are far more tolerant of it now than in the past and that is not a good statistic for women because acceptance of pornography (not just use) is correlated with permissive sexual behavior, alcohol use, binge drinking, and cigarette smoking. For men, use has been correlated with permissive premarital sexual behavior, permissive sexual behavior within marriage (having a mistress and “swinging”) and long-term addiction problems. Sexual addiction counselors are overloaded with work; it is the most needed specialty in the field! More women than ever are also needing recovery programs. Men’s use or acceptance of it is correlated with permissive sexual behavior and nonmarital cohabitation, two factors that have been linked to less marital stability and satisfaction in future marriages.
Though these finding are shocking and sad, it is not a surprise. Not only have we in the field of mental health seen it coming, the Bible predicted it. In Romans 1:18-2:7 (cf- James 1:13-15), it states that when an individual or culture turns away from God, the first place he/she, and the culture as whole turns to, is sexual immorality. “God gave them over…” said three times in this passage as a warning of His wrath, is what God does when mankind seeks to go it alone and not rely upon God. Personally, I think this is one of the scariest passages in the Bible because we all are tempted and can easily be enticed away from God and because He honors our ability to choose, he will give us over if that is what we demand.
No wonder we are commanded to be on guard (Proverbs 4:23; I Cor. 6:12-20; 1Peter 2:11, 5:8-9)!
If you are struggling with this, you obviously are not alone. Stop if you can, and if you are in over your head, get help! Having a long-term with pornography is a horrible struggle. There is freedom but you must first admit the struggle and seek help!
Parents, protect your children! I’m shocked at how many parents say, “my child would never do that” only to find out their child has been viewing for years! You have the responsibility to protect your children! Do it! I had a teen once tell me, “my mom told me I should just have “friends with benefits” because having a girlfriend is too big of a pain.” Unbelievable! Teens who view porn often are substantially more at risk of long-term problems because of brain develop than a 26 year-old who begins a similar viewing pattern. Protect your kids! Protect yourself!

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition

when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go

on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is

meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

C.S. Lewis
(Reference: Generation XXX by Carroll, Padilla-Walker, Nelson, & Olson, Journal of Adolescent Research 23(1), pp. 6-28)