The Porn Debate

The Porn Debate

It may surprise you that there is a debate as to whether porn is generally a good thing or a bad thing.
Pornography is now such a prevalent part of our culture, especially on line, that many people are just getting more use to it, even accepting of it. However there are many who have a predetermined negative view.

Those who view porn positively say it is helpful to them in developing their own sexual experience in a healthy way, for individuals and couples. They accept it as a genuine source of income for those who voluntarily choose it.

Those who view pornography negatively view it as an exploitation of people, a part of the sex trafficking industry. They view porn as a promoter of casual attitudes to sex that is hurtful to individuals, couples and society in general.

The facts of porn usage and attitudes to porn

As of September 2023 the American cybersecurity company Webroot highlighted the following facts about American pornography use:

Every Second:

• 28,258 users are watching pornography on the internet.
• $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography on the internet.
• 372 people are typing the word “adult” into a search engine.

Every Day:

• 37 pornographic videos are created in the United States.
• 2.5 billion emails containing porn are sent or received.
• 68 million search queries related to pornography- 25% of total searches- are generated. 
• 116,000 queries related to child pornography are received.

How Online Pornography Affects Americans

• About 200,000 Americans are classified as “porn addicts.”
• 40 million American people regularly visit porn sites.
• 35% of all internet downloads are related to pornography.
• 34% of internet users have experienced unwanted exposure to pornographic content through ads, pop up ads, misdirected links or emails.
• One-third of porn viewers are women.

The financial cost to business productivity in the U.S. alone is estimated at $16.9 Billion annually.

https://www.webroot.com/ie/en/resources/tips-articles/internet-pornography-by-the-numbers

As our familiarity and use of pornography has increased our attitudes to it have changed. A BBC report, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170926-is-porn-harmful-the-evidence-the-myths-and-the-unknowns highlighted these affects of pornography use:

• The rates of sexual crime are not linked to availability of porn.
• Porn does not adversely affect a couples sexual relationship.
• Porn usage does not lead to a couple divorcing.
• Couples watching pornography together are generally happy with their sex life.
• The evidence supporting the existence of porn addiction is disputable.
• Porn makes people more comfortable with sex.
• Unhappiness is more of a predictor of sexual promiscuity than watching porn.

The BBC article cited above claims that the negative or positive effect of porn depends on the person using it. Defining if porn causes negative behaviours or if it just reflects a predisposition that causes negative behaviours is nearly impossible.
My own view is that porn is definitely associated with negative behaviours and that reducing pornography usage can reduce those behaviours. Whether porn is the direct cause of the negative behaviours isn’t really an important issue for me in the counselling room.

it’s unclear whether porn caused these behaviours, or was sought out because of pre-existing factors underlying them.

One thing that is very noticeable in reading research into the effects of porn is that it usually reflects the personal experience a person has with porn and their preconceived attitudes toward it.

As for client work related to Pornography

Considering the prevalence of pornography in society my experience of discussing the issue with clients has been relatively rare. Either clients are not watching porn or they are and its just not an issue in their life and thereby not mentioning it in counseling therapy.

If a client does not mention porn as part of their presenting problem I do not go looking for it. If a client mentions he or she watches porn but it is not a problem I do not try to convince them that it is. However if the client does have related issues I may enquire how they think their pornography use affects this.

If a client presents with confusion about their pornography habit I will explore this confusion with them and clarify what their beliefs about porn are. It maybe the cause of their confusion that their porn behaviour does not align with their beliefs about porn. The aim is that client’s beliefs about pornography would reflect their behaviour with it,

The client who is experiencing negative effects from a definite pornography addiction I dealt with in a very accepting manner. I do not try to convince the client that porn is a good and natural thing and that it is therefore not a negative addiction.
As with all addictions I deal with them from a harm reduction basis initially. If the client believes they need to completely abstain from porn because they are unable to manage it safely I will work with them towards doing this.

Our attitude toward pornography is closely associated with our sense of morality, what we perceive as right or wrong. A clients morality, once it is legal and/or, it is not deemed to be destructive to their counselling related issues, should always be respected even if the counselling therapist’s own morality is not in agreement with the client’s morality.

Online resources

If this blog has brought up issues for you around pornography I am happy to help in any way possible.
Below are some links to support organisations you may find helpful. As with all addiction related issues being accountable personal accountability is primary.

https://saireland.com/  This  is  sexaholics anonymous.  Good  to  not  be  alone  and  be  with  those  who  know  and  care. They have meetings online and in person around Ireland.

https://sanon.org/newcomers/what-is-s-anon/  The  international  support  group  for  those  with  loved  ones  dealing  with  a  sexual  addiction.  This  is  info  on  their  Irish  branch and is correct as of August 2023.   Phone 089 2636443 Email [email protected]

https://fightthenewdrug.org/https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/steps-to-help-quit-porn/  These  two  US  organisations  provide  support  and  practical  advice.https://nofap.com/groups/  This  organisation  has  online  support  groups  along  with  relevant  support.