Today's Hot Topic (12/12): Is porn's bad reputation overstated?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

Is Porn’s Bad Reputation Overstated?

The effects of pornography on its viewers may not be as negative as widely thought, according to new research from the University of Montreal.

The study, which looks at the impact of porn on men, finds that the images do not change men’s perception of women and do not impact their relationships. (The research is being funded by the Quebec-based Interdisciplinary Research Center on Family Violence and Violence Against Women).

“Those who could not live out their fantasy in real life with their partner simply set aside the fantasy,” says Simon Louis Lajeunesse, the professor overseeing the study. “The fantasy is broken in the real world and men don't want their partner to look like a porn star.”

The study is likely to have its detractors. It’s still in the early stages (Lajeunesse has only 
interviewed 20 heterosexual university students) and relies heavily on the honesty of its subject’s responses. To date, though, not one subject has shown a pathological sexuality, it reports.

“In fact, all of their sexual practices were quite conventional,” says Lajeunesse.

Beyond the psychological effects of porn, the research gives a good look at the changing consumption habits of adult entertainment consumers.

The study found that 90 percent of pornography today is consumed via the Internet. Only 10 percent of the respondents said they got materials from video stores.

* * *

Do you think pornography changes men's perceptions of women and their behavior in relationships?

Does pornography help or harm those who create it?

Does pornography help or harm those who watch it?

What are your views about pornography?

[teri4lance]

As with any vice, when consumed responsibly it can be a good time. But, it has the capacity to be addictive, and to be abused. Whether it is a fun or positive influence or a bad influence is up to the user.

[cheshirecat77]

I think that changes of percption and behavior heavily rely on the man.  The first guy I got serious with (adult relationship, not talking jr. high school boyfriend) was one that did change.  However, I he was a big controller, emotionally abusive, and he had tendencies towards thinking of women as objects in the first place.  This is speculation, but porn could have intensified that in him.  My DH on the other hand, doesn't look at porn without me.  I know because I know those secret places to look on the computer. ;)

Porn can harm the creators of it.  Again, it depends on the people and the situations.  If someone is going to be forced into posing or doing something they refuse to do- then it's definitely harmful.  I don't know if the professional can actually help anyone, but I'm sure the people who find work in the field enjoy it, lol.

I think it can help and harm at the same time.  Men can fantasize about things they want to do that their wives/SOs won't do.  But a woman can feel harmed by this.  Men don't always ask before they fantasize and some women just get stuck in the mindset that men look at porn for the same reasons we do, then try to compare themselves to the porn star.  That's not what a man actually does, but that's how women tend to feel.  If a man would be honest about how he views it, and the woman could understand; I think it would be a different situation.  For the most part help and harm I think is on the fence if more than one person is involved.  If you're single, I'm certain it's nothing but help on lonely nights!  Just so long as an individual understands that it's acting, and not even close to the real thing (I'm speaking about virgins here).

I don't think there is anything wrong with most of the porn out there.  I think some of it is disgusting and some of what's not illegal should be.  Beastiality, rape, and incest porn to my knowledge isn't illegal but it's sooooo disgusting that it should be outlawed. 

Lastly, an interesting story about myself and DH.  This year we had a conversation about same-sex pornography.  I asked him why it was different when it's two women than with two men.  Visually, it's different for men, obviously.  But a woman sleeping with another woman is the same as a man sleeping with another man.  So if one is biased about homosexuality (and DH is), then why is it different?  He didn't have an answer.  I don't expect that the conversation changed anything about his views on that, but at least it make him think about it!

[survivorinohio]

I think porn gives a very unrealistic concept of sex.  Most people do not engage in acts quite the way porn stars do. 

I dont think most porn stars dont have very happy lives no matter what Ron Jeremy says.  I went researching Johnny Holmes once and found a site that had bios of people in the industry and sadly AIDS has taken many of them. The whole site was sad.

I think back on cable in the 80s and wonder what happened to the Lander sisters.  You dont see them anymore.

As far as porn being addictive I think it can be and because of the unrealistic ideal it ortrays some of these addicts cannot have normal satisfying sex lives.

I  understand how it can be fun but i dont think it always is.  Fantasies can hurt people when the heat of the moment has passed.  Insecurities creep and seeds are planted.  I think it can be risky but isnt always.  Some people are really ok with it, some just think they are.

[Stefono]

 Wow this is an eye opener, I don't think porn is a good thing.I have known people who where into porn in the past.Whether they still are or not I do no.I was confronted by perverts very young in life, where men saw women as objects, a peice of meat, it is sad. I was raised in a single mom home.My father was,(is) a peice of shit'.I have 2 sisters and one was abused by a great grandparent.She has told me nothing happend to me, that she kept him away from me, she was  5,.I remember when I was about 8-9 I went to a friends house for the weekend and we went to her fathers wife's uncles condo.I'm not sure why we were there to this day, but anyway I remember this older man popped in a porno and was watching it in front of us and was talking about it I remember being afraid to look back because I didn't want to know what he was doing. My mom re- married a couple times.The first had 5 sons and I was about 7-8 I used to get paid 5 dollors to clean one of their bedrooms, he was about 19-20 and I'm not sure why they where still living home(today I wonder), anyway I found nasty perverted magazines in his room, so I stopped cleaning it.I can even go back further to about 6-7 I remember my moms boyfriends son HAD ISSUES! He chased me around the living room ounce with his pants(underwear and all) around his anlkles, he was about 10-11 I was scared, he later showed me a bunch of nasty magazines (totally perverted).I'm not sure where my mom was, my point is this world is full of sickness why would people want to add to the problem?I'm just sharing some of these things in order to get a different oppinion realized, kids find things, see things.I wish I hadn't seen things I saw as a child, thats all.I am very protective with my children because I know what is out there.All we can do is the best we can to keep it away from the children.

[Thomigirl]

You took the words right out of my mouth!

Quoting teri4lance:

As with any vice, when consumed responsibly it can be a good time. But, it has the capacity to be addictive, and to be abused. Whether it is a fun or positive influence or a bad influence is up to the user.

[Thomigirl]

Or woman!

Quoting cheshirecat77:

I think that changes of percption and behavior heavily rely on the man. 

[Thomigirl]

Quoting survivorinohio:

I think porn gives a very unrealistic concept of sex.  Most people do not engage in acts quite the way porn stars do. That's not true.  Well...of course my pizza guy doesn't deliver pizza with no shirt on and I don't open the door in nothing but F Me Pumps.  You'd be surprised how many people AND COUPLES use porn as a guide.

I dont think most porn stars dont have very happy lives no matter what Ron Jeremy says.  I went researching Johnny Holmes once and found a site that had bios of people in the industry and sadly AIDS has taken many of them. The whole site was sad. Well, the 80s was when AIDS was ramapant.  There was no testing involved and no regulation within the industry.  There is now.  Nowadays it is the exception and NOT the rule.  The amount of money that these women AND MEN get paid is astounding (to me).  No money doesn't buy happiness, but I'll be damned if you think anybody is being forced into it.  Ask Jenna Jameson if she's happy.  I'll bet you the answer is yes. 

I think back on cable in the 80s and wonder what happened to the Lander sisters.  You dont see them anymore.

As far as porn being addictive I think it can be and because of the unrealistic ideal it ortrays some of these addicts cannot have normal satisfying sex lives. You just answered your own 'question'.  ADDICTS.  Do you assume that all who watch porn are addicts? That's like saying all professional athletes cheat.

I  understand how it can be fun but i dont think it always is.  Fantasies can hurt people when the heat of the moment has passed.  Insecurities creep and seeds are planted.  I think it can be risky but isnt always.  Some people are really ok with it, some just think they are.

[cherry41089]

Do you think pornography changes men's perceptions of women and their behavior in relationships? maybe some men but not all

Does pornography help or harm those who create it? depends on the person, I guess

Does pornography help or harm those who watch it?also depends on the person

What are your views about pornography? I think it's ok and don't have a problem with it, just keep it out of the hands of Children

[LauraKW]

I love porn.  Its entertainment.  I also love romantic comedies, family films, and sci-fi.  Porn actors are consenting adults who are generally paid well.

[survivorinohio]

Quoting Thomigirl:

Quoting survivorinohio:

I think porn gives a very unrealistic concept of sex.  Most people do not engage in acts quite the way porn stars do. That's not true.  Well...of course my pizza guy doesn't deliver pizza with no shirt on and I don't open the door in nothing but F Me Pumps.  You'd be surprised how many people AND COUPLES use porn as a guide.

Ah but not every girl can take a large man down her throat...  I played with porn as a young person learning, experimenting.

I dont think most porn stars dont have very happy lives no matter what Ron Jeremy says.  I went researching Johnny Holmes once and found a site that had bios of people in the industry and sadly AIDS has taken many of them. The whole site was sad. Well, the 80s was when AIDS was ramapant.  There was no testing involved and no regulation within the industry.  There is now.  Nowadays it is the exception and NOT the rule.  The amount of money that these women AND MEN get paid is astounding (to me).  No money doesn't buy happiness, but I'll be damned if you think anybody is being forced into it.  Ask Jenna Jameson if she's happy.  I'll bet you the answer is yes. 

Well then I am happy for them.  I was not being critical just expressing observations.  I am old so the 70s and 80s is what I am familiar with on this subject

I think back on cable in the 80s and wonder what happened to the Lander sisters.  You dont see them anymore.

As far as porn being addictive I think it can be and because of the unrealistic ideal it ortrays some of these addicts cannot have normal satisfying sex lives. You just answered your own 'question'.  ADDICTS.  Do you assume that all who watch porn are addicts? That's like saying all professional athletes cheat.

I never asked a question.  And I never eluded to the assumption you are asserting I made. read the sentence below:)  It isnt always fun for all couples thats my only point.

I  understand how it can be fun but i dont think it always is.  Fantasies can hurt people when the heat of the moment has passed.  Insecurities creep and seeds are planted.  I think it can be risky but isnt always.  Some people are really ok with it, some just think they are.