The Retort

Pornography: Not What You Think It Is

February 2nd, 2012 by Paulina Carrillo Of The Retort Staff

Pornography has been around for many centuries and dates all the way back to the era of ancient Greeks and Romans, who illustrated pornography through sculptures and wall art. Later in history pornography was shown on pottery and in public pamphlets. It was not until the early 1900s that the popularity of pornography as an industry began to rise.

It is somewhat obvious that pornography has become more socially and morally acceptable throughout the years. Because pornography is constantly seen in movies, television shows, magazines, and the internet, it is quite easy for anybody to gain possession of explicit material for sexual pleasure.

People from every age group who watch pornography may believe there are no consequences to doing so, but the reality is that they face the risk of developing an addiction and suffering one or more of the side effects of watching pornography.

So what exactly are the side effects of watching pornography? Although the answer to that question varies, according to research assistants Amber Brewer and Rachel Jamieson the most common effects on viewers and the community are that “pornography teaches unrealistic and inappropriate sexual expectations… lowers family loyalties… degrades women, links sex with violence and children, encourages promiscuity, and increases susceptibility to sexually acting out in ways harmful to others.”

One example of someone who blames pornography for vicious acts is Ted Bundy, a notorious serial killer responsible for the murders of six women. While being interrogated by the FBI, Bundy claimed that “he was sure that pornographic movies or pictures stimulated his urge to injure and kill women.” In addition to Bundy, research has also proven that “83 percent of rapists and 67 percent of child molesters consume hard-core pornography at high rates.” This is very alarming, especially since “87% of college age men view pornography, 50% weekly and 20 daily or every other day,” according to Dr. Donald Hilton and Clark Watts. This can only mean that the people around us cannot be trusted, for they may already be addicted or experiencing one or more of the negative effects caused by watching pornography.

It is obvious in the statistics presented that although pornography is viewed by both men and women of different ages, women and children are more often victimized by the effects of pornography because men are more likely than women to watch porn. According to research, pornography tends to make some women feel “inadequate, self-conscious, and dissatisfied with their own bodies” because females in the porn industry are often portrayed as “beautiful . . . (and with) perfect bodies,” while women whose partners are consumers of pornography are often left feeling “unattractive, sexually undesirable, worthless . . . stupid,” and betrayed because of their husbands interest in other women.

In conclusion, the porn industry is something that needs to be shut down in order for women to remain self-confident and for men to remain loyal, realistic, and free of perverted ideas and or thoughts. Finally, it is important that all men and women are aware of all the consequences of watching pornographic material because one might end up like Ted Bundy. Seven Horr