In the past 20 years, there have been more than 150 scientific studies published that investigated the effects of prolonged pornography consumption. The find-ings show that there are potential health risks associated with the choice to consume porno-graphy.
Women pay a heavy toll, as male con-su-mers of pornography (more than 80 percent of porn consumers are men) frequently develop an increased callousness toward women and minimize rape as a criminal offense. The evidence is clear that porn consumption produces negative consequences on attitudes or behavior toward females.Children also suffer. Pornography often plays a key role in the acquisition of sexual deviations and in breaking down the resistance and inhibitions of children and juveniles victimized by rapists and pedo-philes.
Some research suggests that pre-adults are the most frequent users of porn. With the dramatic increase in the exposure of children and teenagers to porn, there is need for alarm, as early-age exposure is a strong predictor of sexual deviance.
As one researcher observed, "Early exposure and conditioning to pornography can lead to `Tailhook' assault of females, or to the production of TV talk shows and sitcoms which reflect Playboy-Penthouse-Hustler-style sexuality on too many occasions."
Other adverse effects for pre-adults have just begun to be recognized by some public health authorities.
One specialist observed that "pornography consumption may increase the incidence of teen pregnancies, exploitative adolescent sexual activity and the stimulation to engage in sexual behavior which increases the risk of contracting AIDS."
Concerned with the public health problems of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infections, some health educators have urged that the U.S. community ask: "What role does pornography play in increasing one's susceptibility to the AIDS virus due to increasing sexual promiscuity?" This question is not limited to pre-adults, but to the public at large.
Because a great deal of misinformation about sexuality is depicted in pornography, distorted perceptions about human sexuality have resulted. Many human relationships have suffered unnecessarily.
The focus on self-satisfaction, rather than interdependent, loving relationships, frequently interferes with the formation of health relationships.
Due to the mood-altering effect of porn consumption, an addiction may develop that leads to an escalating appetite for more deviant and bizarre forms of pornography. Often the result is sexual impotence. A wife whose husband is a closet user of pornography may wonder why she can no longer sexually arouse her spouse.
Erosion of a healthy family unit is evident as repeated viewers of pornography are more likely to accept and tolerate pre- and extramarital sex, marital infidelity and multiple sexual partners. Promiscuity is more likely to be accepted as natural. Repression of sexual urges will most likely be viewed as unhealthy.
How does a random sample of nationwide health professionals view the published adverse effects of porn consumption?
Of the 575 who responded, 72 percent agreed that there are potential health hazards to repeated consumption of pornography. They agreed most strongly (79 percent) that there are risks for pre-adult consumers. And there was 74 percent agreement that health professional organizations need to address the risks of consuming pornography.
By far, the majority expressed concern with the desensitization towards women and children that comes with prolonged consumption of porn.
Health professionals and the public at large can assume that children and adults are more at risk to the adverse effects of pornography consumption than at any other time in our society.
Will the public health risks of porn consumption be mitigated in the near future? Probably not.
I believe that the public's accelerated consumption of pornographic depictions will continue due to: the continuing decline in previously held standards of moral and personal conduct, the proliferating availability of porn, the proliferation of videotapes, videotape players and home entertainment centers, the growing absence of parents from the home, the economic incentives to produce and consume porn, and the ever-expanding communication technology.
Unless we begin to address porn consumption, much like the lifestyle choice of tobacco consumption, the health risks will go unabated. Educational and counseling interventions will be ignored.
We need to address the health risks of pornography and mitigate its influence. We can promote holistic health and prevent unnecessary disease for each member of our national family. A good common-sense approach might be to begin by developing and using educational and counseling interventions age-specific to adults, adolescents and children.
The consumer still retains his/her First Amendment rights to partake but is an informed consumer. This approach is far more responsible than just sticking our heads in the sand and ignoring the health risks of prolonged pornography consumption.