United Families International: Dedicated to informing you about the issues and forces impacting the family.
Contributed by Joey Sheppard
Bell Thorne hit stardom with preteens and young teenagers alike when she starred in the record-breaking 2010 Disney TV show Shake It Up. After parting ways with Disney, Bella quickly moved into more adult film content with many young fans following her, which concerned numerous parents. In October 2019, Bella received an award for making her directorial debut—of a pornography film. The award Bella received was from PornHub, one of the largest porn websites in the world. Completely shedding any Disney skin she had left in an interview with PornHub, Bella said:
“If you think that porn is uncomfortable, I’m sorry that you are uncomfortable. But don’t make other people feel uncomfortable for being OK with it, because at the end of the day, it is sex. It is something that the human body wants, it needs, it constantly craves for it. And it’s just a very understandable thing. If you’re scared of it, that’s fine. To each their own. But don’t tear somebody else down because they’re confident with their sexuality and they’re okay to admit that.”
However, Bella Thorne is perhaps unaware of or choosing to reject the current research about pornography. Research in the last decade has shown how pornography negatively affects individuals, marriages, and couples.
Individuals
All individuals, both men and women, are affected by viewing pornography. Specifically, men who view pornography report being less attracted to and in love with their partner and have been found to have higher beliefs in rape myths. However, both men and women who view pornography are 3X more likely to be unfaithful and have higher levels of the following:
- Body-image issues
- Poor self-image
- Insecurity
- Anxiety and depression
- Relationship and Communication problems
Yes, it’s a bit surprising—the research found that not just women, but also men develop issues with body-image and insecurity by viewing pornography. Individuals viewing pornography don’t seem to be that “confident” at all. Not surprisingly, men and women who view pornography have lower sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and relationship commitment.
Marriages
Research has also found that pornography is linked to an increase in marital problems, with an increasing number of couples reporting that pornography is causing problems in their marriage. Specifically, marriages involving individuals who view pornography were found to be:
Basically, marriages that involve pornography have an early expiration date—they start decaying. In these marriages, both the individual viewing pornography and their partner end up becoming more cynical about love, relationships, and life. Like a fungus spoiling the fresh, pornography is the second strongest predictor that a marriage will suffer.
Couples
Some say that pornography can improve your relationship if used together; that viewing pornography together as a couple will better your sexual and relationship satisfaction, bringing you both closer together. However, research finds just the opposite. Couples who viewed pornography together were found to be:
- Highly unsatisfied in the relationship
- Less satisfied in their sex life
- Less committed to the relationship
Couples who view pornography together are overall less satisfied and committed—basically unhappy. They become worse at communicating in the relationship and are 2X more likely to be unfaithful. Similar to marriages involving pornography, these relationships also may die young.
Overall, research suggests that people who view pornography aren’t “confident”— in their relationships, marriages, or simply themselves. Research debunks the claims that Bella made; pornography does not equate to sex. In response to Bella Thorne’s interview, lead researcher and professor of sociology, women’s studies, and pornography Dr. Gail Dines said:
“To assume that if you are against pornography you’re against sex is to assume that anyone who criticizes McDonald’s is anti-eating . . . Why can’t they see that it is the same thing when it comes to pornography and sex?”
Just like the TV show title, Bella Thorne did “shake things up” after leaving Disney—and not just by entering the porn industry but by promoting it with her directorial debut for PornHub. Just last year, PornHub had 33.5 billion visits, an increase of 5 billion visits since the previous year of 2017—and research shows just how negatively each visit impacts individuals, couples, and families around the world. Just because Bella Thorne got into porn does not mean you or your children have to. If you wish to better yourself and your relationship, research invites you to be “confident” in your sexuality and leave porn out of your relationship, marriage, and life.