Pornography, Normalization, and Empowerment

Abstract

Opponents and proponents of erotic representations (referred to hereafter as "pornography") have described the effects of pornography from their perspective. Little, however, has been done in the way of research to investigate these claims from the consumer's point of view. This especially has been so regarding the positive impact of such consumption on a person's sex life. Using a study group of 245 college students, we examined this question in a framework of scripting theory. We wanted to see whether viewing pornography appeared to expand sexual horizons through normalization and facilitate a willingness to explore new sexual behaviors and sexual relationships through empowerment. The data supported this viewpoint and further showed the effects to be mediated by gender and sexual preference identity. They suggested, however, that established scripts were extended rather than abandoned. We conclude with connections between our findings and the widespread viewing of pornography in contemporary society.

Sexual Behaviour, Sexual Health and Pornography Consumption among Secondary School Students in Iceland

“…More men watch pornography than women, which supports the results of former studies (Dines, 2010;Weinberg et al, 2010), including studies that have been conducted in other Nordic countries (Sørensen & Knudsen, 2006). Furthermore, men spend more time watching pornography than women and they start to watch pornography at a young age than women as has been seen in previous studies (Dines, 2010;Weinberg et al, 2010). Moreover, more men that had watched pornography had a positive attitude towards pornography than women who had watched pornography.…”

“…They might develop a sexual script, which is a summary of ideas regarding sex, from the pornography they have watched. By watching pornography, the individual might develop ideas about specific sexual behaviour, such as oral sex, anal sex or group sex (Weinberg, Williams, Kleiner, & Irizarry, 2010 (WHO, 2010). In order to promote healthy sex, it is important to promote respect and the right of the individual to their own sexuality and sexual behaviour (WHO, 2015).…”

Consumption of pornographic materials among early adolescents in Hong Kong: profiles and psychosocial correlates

“…Adolescents exposed to the sexually explicit materials would likely be sexually inspired by the sexual content, motivate to experiment different sex acts, and thus affect their actual sex life (41) . Under the infl uence of this socializing effect, adolescents might follow a norm of relationship sex and have exaggerated and distorted beliefs of sexual activity among peers (40,42) . To help adolescents to be aware of the potential impact of this exposure, practitioners, parents, and teachers should work together to educate them to obtain reliable health information, especially on the internet, and to establish an honest and open discussion about responsible sexual behavior.…”

Self-Perceived Effects of Pornography Consumption in a Sample of Indonesian University Students

“…We position investigations into this as important as they may enrich the scientific and public debate on pornography consumption in Indonesia and elsewhere by bringing a consumer perspective to the debate (Blackwood, 2007;Hald, Seaman, & Linz, 2013). Further, such research using diverse samples allow for cross-cultural com-parison with existing comparable research (e.g., Boies, 2002;Weinberg et al, 2010).…”