Kristen Jan Cannon
There seems to be a major cultural shift surrounding our society in regards to tolerating, accepting, and even embracing pornography. Some people argue that it’s a healthy way to explore and understand your sexuality. A lot of couples claim that it actually enhances their intimate experience together. And quite a few folks out there think that viewing porn is perfectly normal and pleasing yourself from time to time is more than justified.
But is it?
One of the major problems with these arguments is they focus on the short-term effects that pornography may produce. Sure, it makes sense that viewing pornography is going to leave you aroused, excited, and wanting more. But is it going to leave you wanting more of your significant other? Or just more porn?
And how far is too far? For example, most of our society frowns upon child pornography. In the U.S. it is illegal, and you, yourself, probably find this practice is downright disgusting and beyond inappropriate.
And yet, “regular” pornography is fine.
Well at some point, if you’re into pornography, the “regular” stuff isn’t going to cut it for you.
Like any drug, you can’t pick and choose when you stop. You never get the same high as the one before. You need more and more and more to fuel your needs.
According to www.stoppornculture.org, “teen” is the most searched term worldwide. A Google Trends analysis conducted in 2013 indicated that searches for “Teen Porn” have more than tripled between 2005-2013. As of March 2013, total searches for teen-related porn reached an estimated 500,000 daily, far larger than other genres. This category of pornography now represents about one third of all porn-related searches globally.
And keep in mind that teen porn is child porn. As if that’s not bothersome enough, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported in 2013 that about 20% of all Internet pornography depicts child sexual abuse.
Another big theme in the porn industry is violence, typically demonstrated by men acting violently toward women. About 88 percent of top-rated porn videos contain aggressive acts, which can consist of open hand slapping, rape, and even murder.
Sound normal? Sound okay? Sound like a romantic night for you and your partner to indulge in?
Think again.
It’s time society realizes the damage pornography is doing. You might think it’s okay in small doses. You might think certain genres of porn are fine. But there’s no telling what you’re going to click on next. You may find yourself wanting more and more and more.
And you’ll tell yourself it’s no big deal.
But it’s kind of a big deal.