Use and Harms of Pornography

A Confusing World

To say the least, pornography is a controversial and confusing subject. Researchers, politicians, pornography producers, pornography consumers, those acquainted with consumers, and those passively exposed to erotic media (through everyday movies, advertisements, and internet pop-ups) have differing opinions and values toward pornography.

Proponents of pornography argue, "It's my choice and my right. People have been doing this for centuries - it's just what people do. It's all in good fun, and I'm not hurting anyone. So what could be the harm in using it?" Some think of pornography as sinful and immoral, while others think it can bring couples together. Politicians debate about it. Pornography-producers, movie-makers, and owners of various franchises depend on mild to highly erotic images to sell their products. With an obvious motive for promoting a no-harm image, such businessmen minimize the negative effects of pornography on consumers. For those who are trying to understand pornography, it can be a bewildering experience.

The current article is a general introduction to problems related to pornography. This article outlines basic information about the prevalence of pornography use, gender issues surrounding pornography, harms of pornography, and how pornography compulsions are developed.

It should be known that it is not the author's intent to put down or degrade those who use pornography, but rather to build understanding and compassion between family members who otherwise may be feeling ashamed, confused, and alone.

Prevalence of Pornography Use

In a day where sexually explicit images are easy to access through home computers, television, 900 numbers, the nearby gas station, or the next door neighbor, it is naive to assume a friend or loved one has never had experience with or been tempted by, some kind of pornography. Dr. Laaser, executive director of the Christian Alliance for Sexual Recovery, reported during a U.S. Congressional hearing that the average age a person in the U.S. is first exposed to pornography is about approximately five years old.¹⁶

Zogby International and Focus on the Family conducted a nationwide survey of 1,031 adults and found that "...20 percent of American adults - as many as 40 million - click on sexually oriented websites. Eighteen percent of respondents who are married visit such sites. Almost the same percentage who called themselves born-again Christians told Zogby they indulge in online pornography".²⁴

Gender Differences

Dr. Al Cooper, former clinical director of the San Jose Marital and Sexuality Center, conducted one of the largest studies of internet sexuality to date.¹² He surveyed 9,300respondents on a 59-item survey on the MSNBC website and found that 83% of pornography consumers were male and 17% were female. This study identified college students as the population most vulnerable to developing habitual problems with Cybersex. Some researchers have commented that the ratio of male to female users has changed over the last four years, with greater numbers of women consuming pornography.¹⁸

Research has shown that men and women are generally interested in different kinds of sexually-arousing material. Dr. Cooper found that men were much more visually stimulated and tended to prefer websites with pornographic pictures.¹² On the other hand, women were stimulated by romance and emotional connection. So they generally favored sexual chat rooms where they could interact and develop relationships.

The Meaning of Pornography

Sexual addictions specialist, Dr. Victor Cline, describes the origin and meaning of the word "pornography":

The word 'pornography' comes from the Greek words 'porno' and 'graphic' meaning 'depictions of the activities of whores'... In common parlance [or, phraseology], it usually means 'material that is sexually explicit and intended primarily for the purpose of sexual arousal....'.⁸

Dr. Rory Reid, a sexual compulsions specialist, extends this meaning: "Pornography is any visual or written medium created with the intent to sexually stimulate. If the work was not intended to stimulate but nevertheless causes sexual arousal in an individual, it constitutes pornography for that person. If you find yourself asking whether a work is pornographic, the question itself suggests the material makes you uncomfortable. That should be enough to tell you to avoid it."²²

Birch, a director of a Christian-based therapeutic and educational agency for families, remarks: "our culture is filled with images of sexuality. Some of these images portray healthy sexuality. Many, however, depict inappropriate, obscene and sometimes perverse perspectives on sexuality, depictions that are commonly regarded as pornography".³

How is Pornography Harmful?

Frank York, former editor in Public Policy for Focus on the Family (a pro-family political and educational organization) as well as writer and researcher on pornography, and Jan LaRue, Chief Counsel, Concerned Women for America, assert, "The most common damage, the one that affects everyone who views porn, is that it warps the person's perception of people, relationships, and sex". Pornography teaches unrealistic and inappropriate sexual expectations, decreases satisfaction with monogamy and lowers family loyalties, objectifies and degrades women, links sex with violence and children, encourages promiscuity, and increases susceptibility to sexually acting out in ways harmful to others.⁸

Gary R. Brooks, psychologist and assistant chief of the psychology service at the Department of Veteran Affairs in Temple, Texas, calls the affect of pornography on people's perceptions as "The Centerfold Syndrome."⁴ In his book, The Centerfold Syndrome, Dr. Brooks explains that pornography alters people's perceptions in the following ways:

• Voyeurism. Pornography teaches its users to focus on looking at people instead of forming real relationships.

• Objectification. Men, women, and children are portrayed as sexual objects, whose worth lies in the size and shape of their body parts.

• Validation. After repeatedly seeing people in an idealized form, pornography users begin to judge people's worth by their physical attractiveness. They feel masculine or feminine only when they are with beautiful people, and are less likely to be committed when their partner goes through life-changes (age, childbearing, etc.) that decrease their youthfulness or good looks.

• Trophyism. Romantic partners are trophies to be displayed and owned, not to be treated as real people.

• Fear of true intimacy. Because people portrayed in pornographic pictures have no demands or expectations beyond sexual-arousal and pleasure, pornography users do not learn how to form real relationships with others. They do not learn how to be selfless, sacrificing, and committed; thus, they come to fear true intimacy that requires them to relate emotionally and spiritually.

Pornography often promotes sexual promiscuity and other activities that if pursued, would undoubtedly contribute to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There is some evidence in the social science research that media portrayed idealized images often found in pornography induce shame and appearance anxiety among young women. Its possible that these women may feel obligated to compete with pornography in order to receive attention from males who become lured by the idealized images that are inaccurate depictions of women and often enhanced through computer alteration technology (e.g. air brushing).

Lastly, pornography use can develop into a compulsion. A compulsion is the intense urge to do a certain behavior regardless of negative consequences. Compulsions can be so powerful that people often feel helpless to deny them (see "the wave", below).

Many researchers, clinicians and organizations think of compulsive pornography use as an addiction. Like a cocaine addict is driven to use cocaine at any cost, so will a pornography addict seek out sexual material despite feelings of guilt, destruction of family relationships, divorce, overwhelming debt, and legal consequences (like jail time) for illegal activities associated with pornography (such as downloading or transmitting child porn over the internet). Although pornography compulsions are challenging to abandon, individuals learn to manage their vulnerability to consume pornography so the symptoms of pornography use remain dormant in their lives. This journey requires hard work, sacrifice, and a willingness to allow others to be supportive in efforts to change. A spouse, religious leaders, and a qualified therapist can be a resource for a person struggling with a pornography problem.

With these kinds of consequences, parents, spouses, and children need to be educated on the harmful effects of pornography. Parents and spouses should learn how to detect signs of pornography use in the home, how to protect their family from pornography before it becomes a problem, and how to handle the problem should they learn a loved one has become involved with pornography.

Women and Sexual Compulsions

Many people assume that only men can develop sexual addictions/compulsions. This is not true. According to Dr. Carnes, 20% of those with sexual compulsions are female.⁶ Because women are aroused more by feelings of intimacy than by visual images, fewer women (than men) develop compulsive behavior around to what is normally considered pornography (e.g., magazines and picture-based websites). Instead, women are more likely to develop sexual compulsions in such forms as compulsive one-night stands, promiscuity, romance novels, cybersex, masturbation, and occasionally acting out sexually (child molestation/abuse).

Women are generally more relationship-oriented then men, so they tend to be vulnerable to developing sexual compulsions for this reason. Psychologist Dr. James Dobson says, "Men tend to give intimacy in order to get sex... and women tend to give sex to get intimacy" (Jackson, 2004, ¶ 5).

Women may be willing to become involved in primarily sexual relationships for the fleeting feeling of being loved. A licensed professional counselor in private practice who specializes in sex addictions and co-dependency, Rob Jackson calls sexual addiction an intimacy disorder because it is more about "a hungry heart that craves intimacy" than it is about sex.

Jackson also comments that society has double standards toward male and female sexuality. Jackson writes, "Society promotes the stereotypes that 'boys will be boys' and 'good girls don't', even while grooming the girl to play the coy seductress". As a result, girls who develop sexual compulsions tend to feel much more shame and self-loathing than male addicts.

For further information on female sexual addiction, see Jackson's article, Help for Female Sex Addicts and Q and A with a Female Sex Addict.

The Prevalence of Pornography Compulsion

After discovering a pornographic magazine in his or her son's bedroom, a parent may begin to despair, thinking, "Oh no! My son is a pornography addict!" A wife may find a link to a pornographic website while checking a history of visited URL's on her husband's computer. In terror, she may assume he has been heavily involved in porn for years.

Although finding pornographic material should draw parents' and spouses' attention, research suggests that automatic panic is not warranted. Sexual compulsions specialists Reid and Gray say, "In an attempt to be objective, it is important to observe that just as everyone who drinks does not become an alcoholic, people who may use pornography are not necessarily addicted".²² Researchers' current estimates are that only3-6% of the general population are sexually addicted.⁶

In his study, Dr. Cooper found that 8% of respondents used the internet for sexual pursuits for more than 11 hours a week (these respondents were classified as "heavy users"). Low users (who were 46% of respondents) spent less than 1 hour/week, and moderate users (who were 45% of respondents) spent 1-10 hours/week on sex-related sites. Dr. Cooper also found that the heavy users said they had far more negative effects and anxiety in their lives than low or moderate users.¹¹

Although most pornography users are not addicted, even non-compulsive pornography use can create big problems for both the user and the user's family (see section on the harms of pornography, above).⁶ Dr. Cooper states that 68% of his study-respondents claim "their on-line behavior does not interfere with. . . their lives".¹¹ This suggests that 42% of the respondents felt their sexual use of the internet does interfere with their lives. According to Dr. Cooper's study, the more time people spend on-line in sex-related activities is highly related to the amount of negative effects in the person's life.¹¹

Categories of Pornography Use

One way of categorizing on-line sexual activity was proposed by Dr. Cooper, who separated on-line use into three categories: 1) cybersex, 2) online sexual problems, and 3) online sexual compulsivity.¹⁰ Although Dr. Cooper intended these categories to describe only online pornography users, the following descriptions can generally be adapted to any pornography user:

1) [Recreational Use of] Cybersex is "using the internet to engage in sexually gratifying behaviors such as pornography, sexual chats, e-mails, and instant messaging".¹⁰ Essentially, this category is the recreational use of pornography for "entertainment, exploration, support, education...efforts to attain...sexual or romantic partners, and to relieve stress".¹⁰

2) Online sexual problems are the "full range of difficulty that people can have as a result of their use of the Internet for sexual purposes".¹⁰ These problems "can vary from guilt, financial ruin, loss of family, and divorce to jail sentences for viewing and/or transmitting inappropriate sites".¹⁰

3) Online sexual compulsivity is "the most serious" type of on-line sexual problems "because it indicates loss of control and even diminished capacity to regulate activities of daily living".¹⁰ In other words, people who depend on arousal and sexual gratification to cope with life-problems will find it very, very difficult to stop using pornography even when they are experiencing extreme negative consequences (like divorce or jail time). Sexual compulsive users rarely can change their behavior without some kind of treatment.

It is important to realize that people do not necessarily stay in one category forever. A person may start out as a recreational user (category 1), perhaps viewing out of curiosity. The person may easily progress to experiencing problems due to pornography use (category 2) and then move on to becoming a full-fledged sexual compulsive user (category 3). Although most users are not "addicted" to pornography, there is no question that pornography has serious habit-forming potential that should not be underestimated.¹⁰

How Sexual Compulsions are Developed

Sexual arousal and gratification produce feel-good chemicals in the brain (dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins) producing a feeling similar to the "high" created by taking a drug like cocaine.¹⁷ Looking at pornography leads to arousal, which is often followed by masturbation. When viewing pornography is accompanied by masturbation, the brain's chemical response (or "reward") is particularly strong. Consequently, pornography and masturbation create an immediate and powerful mood-changing experience which significantly increases the likelihood that the behavior will happen again. People do not get addicted to pornography, per se, they get hooked on the mood-changing feelings they have when they use pornography.

The "Wave"

To help people who've never had a sexual compulsion understand the power of sexual compulsivity, Dr. Cline relates an experience he had with one of his clients.⁸ Ralph came to Dr. Cline because he was struggling with a sexual compulsion to pornography. Ralph opposed pornography on both moral and religious grounds and always felt horribly guilty after viewing pornography. Despite the many promises he made to himself to quit, Ralph found himself repeating the behavior time and time again.⁸

Trying to give Ralph a big enough motivation to stop his pornography-use, Dr. Cline asked Ralph to write a check for $1,000. The money would be given to charity if Ralph used pornography within 90 days. Ralph responded, "There's no way I'd look at dirty videos or magazines if I knew it would cost me a thousand dollars!"⁸ Highly committed to quitting, Ralph went 87 days before relapsing (i.e., going back to pornography). On the second attempt, he relapsed after only 14 days.

Dr. Cline writes, "In my opinion, even if [Ralph] had given me $10,000, he still would have relapsed. When the wave hits them, these men are consumed by their appetite, regardless of the costs or consequences".⁸

How to Recognize a Compulsion

Addiction experts, Washton and Boundy, propose two main ways of identifying whether an activity or drug is turning into an addiction (these criteria apply to compulsions as well):²⁵

1) How does the activity affect the user's life? If the activity (in this case pornography) is "causing you problems in your life but you keep doing it anyway", it's likely the activity is turning into a compulsion.²⁵ So, for example, if you feel you're life is slowly becoming unmanageable and/or a large part of you wants to stop, but you continue to use anyway. That's a good sign of sexual compulsion.

2) What is the user doing the drug or activity for? If you are using the activity to calm an inner tension, you aren't simply doing the activity for fun or recreation. Ask yourself whether the main purpose of using pornography is to change your mood from a negative one to a better one. Washton and Boundy suggest that if you are using something to escape or "distract yourself from intolerable feelings... it's going to lead you in the direction of addiction [or, compulsion]".²⁵

Pornography Can Influence Unrealistic and Distorted Expectations about Sex

Dr. Cline suggests pornography use can progress into sexual deviancy through four steps: (1)addiction, (2) escalation, (3) desensitization, and (4) acting out sexually. Since addiction has been already been described in this article, it will not be addressed here.⁸

Escalation

As addiction (or sexual compulsion) begins to take hold of the pornography user, he/she will notice that looking at the same pictures or having the same kinds of sexual on-line conversations becomes dull and uninteresting. "With the passage of time, the addicted [require] rougher, more explicit, more deviant. . . kinds of sexual material to get their "highs" and "sexual turn-ons." It [is similar to]individuals afflicted with drug addictions. . . . They often [come to prefer]this sexual imagery, accompanied by masturbation, to sexual intercourse itself".⁸

Desensitization

As the pornography addict views increasingly deviant sexual images, he can lose touch with appropriate sexual boundaries. What would have shocked and disgusted him in the beginning becomes acceptable and even desirable. Pornography deviously replaces his sense of "This is wrong" or "This has gone too far" with the beliefs of "This is normal" and "Everybody's doing it." The process of desensitization can, without the user even realizing it, slowly erode even the strictest religious and moral values.

Acting Out Sexually

Sexual deviancy is learned behavior and usually begins with a process called conditioning. Conditioning happens when two events are repeatedly experienced at the same time. The body "learns" to automatically respond to one event as if the other event was happening. For example, a person who initially is not sexually attracted to children may "learn" to be by repeatedly seeing and masturbating to pornographic images of children in sexual situations. The two events of (1)seeing children and (2) masturbating to orgasm happening together over-and-over again "conditions" the viewer to be sexually aroused by children. While acting out may include unlawful behavior, research suggests that about two-thirds fixate on a particular type of pornography and this never escalates to sexually acting out other than self-stimulation.

Conditioning can occur by combining sexual gratification with any activity, object, or image (women, children, violence, shoes, animals). Research has shown that it is very easy to condition people using sexual stimulation and gratification. Dr. Stanley Rachman found he was able to condition 100% of males in his study to sexual fetishes (or sexual obsessions) with knee-length boots through the use of highly erotic pictures.²⁰

Looking at or talking about sexual acts often leads to a strong desire to act out what was seen in a pornographic picture/movie or discussed during cybersex in an on-line chat room. In 1988, a researcher named Dr. W. Marshall found that 86% of convicted rapists admitted to using pornography regularly and 57% said they had committed the rapes in "direct imitation of pornographic scenes" they had seen.²⁶ Motivated by sexual fantasies they gained from pornographic sources, several people have succumbed to the desire to repeat the activity in real-life. This can lead to compulsive one-night stands, flashing, peeping, hurting self or others during sex, molesting children, and rape.⁸ Dr. Cline claims that sexually acting out can become an addiction in itself.⁸

Not all consumers of pornography sexually act out, and not all rapists are hooked on pornography. Many people keep the fantasies locked up in their heads, never intentionally acting out pornographic scenarios with real people. And, many rapists are power-hungry people who simply enjoy hurting others.²⁶ The problem is everyone who uses pornography is at-risk of eventually acting out the behavior. The risk may be much higher for some than others, but there is always a possibility that pornography use could eventually lead to sexually acting out.

Myths about Pornography Addiction

Two of the biggest myths about pornography addiction (or compulsion) are: (1) porn addicts need sex more than other people, and (2) pornography is about real love.

Myth #1: Pornography Addicts Need Sex More than Others

In an unpublished article to religious leaders who help people with pornography problems, Reid points out that women who compulsively overeat do so for many of the same reasons men use pornography, but "we do not suggest the woman's problem with an eating disorder is about being 'obsessed with food' or because she 'doesn't get enough food.'... [Rather], the problems with food are symptoms of underlying issues".²³

A woman who compulsively overeats does so to soothe herself when she feels insecure, stressed, or bored. Reid and Gray say that fantasy, arousal, and sexual gratification from masturbation experienced with pornography can change a person's mood. The strong feelings of relaxation and overall well-being that come with sexual gratification provide a temporary escape from the present moment.

The feeling of needing sex more than others arise when people begin to use sexual gratification as the primary way to feel better when they are upset. Washton and Boundy state that when a mood-changing substance (like cocaine, food, pornography) is used as main way of soothing unpleasant emotions, other coping methods are not explored.²⁵ It becomes easier and easier to use only sexual gratification to lift one's mood. Thus, people who become addicted generally do not have adequate coping-skills to deal with stress, boredom, anger, and loneliness. Sex addicts think they need sexual gratification to deal with life only because they do not know (or have ceased to look for) another way.

Myth #2: Pornography is About Real Love

Pornography use has nothing to do with real love. That is the great lie. Genuine love requires a real relationship in which two people learn to care for another in spite of weaknesses and work through life's greatest challenges together. Real love is more than sexual attraction and gratification. It is a living thing. Love requires work, nurturing, risk-taking, commitment, and sacrifice. Pictures and relationships based solely on sexual interactions do not demand any of these things.

Pornographic Pictures, Movies, and Websites

Erotic pictures and videos, which capture a moment of idealized glamour, do not show flaws, frailties, personalities, or personal life goals and ambitions. The pornographer's use of lighting, make-up, cameras, and image-altering computer-software cunningly hide any "distasteful" human weaknesses from view.

Sometimes, people come to believe that they are really in love with someone in a pornographic magazine, movie, or website. A man may think, "I've read articles about Candy, and seen so many pictures (or movies) about her that I feel like I know her! I think I love her!" This is a lie. You do not really know her, but only a shallow and fabricated story about her that is written with the sole purpose of stimulating your sexual interest and attraction. You will never see Candy tired, angry, old, or without her make-up. You do not really know Candy and she does not really know you.

If pornography users (who feel they are "in love" with someone they see in a pornographic picture) objectively view their relationship with the person they claim to love, they will realize their relationship is based completely on fantasy. Real relationships are based on real-life interaction. One of the greatest aspects of love is the security that comes from being fully known to another and accepted for who you are both the good and the bad. This can never happen with a picture or video-tape.

On-line Relationships and Cybersex

There are benefits and draw-backs to on-line relationships. Those who normally feel shy and awkward in social situations often find it easier to be outgoing in a chat-room. People who are uncomfortable with their appearance may feel more accepted because the relationship is not based on looks. As Focus on the Family puts it, "Wallflowers can become the star of the chat room".¹³

Although the internet can provide a way for developing friendships and social support, it also has some real dangers. The same thing that makes on-line relationships so appealing is what paves the way for potential harm: the ability to hide weakness and exaggerate strengths. "It's easy for people to feel close with someone who is always able to 'put their best foot forward'".¹³

Many women and children have been raped and/or murdered by predators they met online. Children are particularly at risk. In 2000, a survey of 1,501 U.S. kids aged 10 to 17 showed that approximately one in five kids received a sexual solicitation or approach.¹⁹

Married men and women are also vulnerable to developing on-line relationships which though innocent at first can eventually lead to cybersex and affairs. Spouses who are bored and restless, and who spend a lot of time on the internet, are particularly susceptible to this.¹⁴ On-line relationships can lure married people away from their spouses because:(1) the relationship is new and exciting, (2) it is relatively easy to keep the relationship a secret, (3) the other person only seems to have good qualities.

The problem with primarily sexual on-line (and off-line)relationships is that they are one-sided. With the focus on sexual arousal and gratification, such relationships lack the depth and emotional connectedness of meaningful relationships.

Focus on the Family writes, "A relationship that can only be sustained by camouflaging problems and indulging in passionate pleasures is headed for disaster. Eventually we all need someone who can still love us when we are not at our best when we are sick, unattractive, or have made mistakes."¹³

Conclusion

We may try to fool ourselves to think that pornography is just harmless fun, but research and experience are showing us otherwise. Pornography has both subtle and blatant negative consequences. People who claim to use pornography for fun may want to consider the following questions:

• What are the subtle ways pornography is changing you and your approach to relationships? Is it drawing you closer to others or pulling you away?

• What is pornography teaching you about sexual relationships and about the worth of people in general?

• How does your pornography use affect your partner?

• Is it really possible to separate what you repetitively and regularly see in a pornographic movie, website, or chat room from the way you look at and treat other people?

Comparing a genuinely intimate relationship with a pornographic relationship is like comparing a diamond to a stone. One is infinitely more lovely, satisfying, and valuable than the other. So, why would someone be willing to give up a brilliant diamond for a dull stone?

More often than not, regular pornography use is about trying to fill unmet needs. You may ask yourself, what is lacking in this person's life that he or she is trying to replace through using pornography?

• Are they lonely?

• Do they fear being in an intimate relationship?

• Are they lacking the opportunity or skills to form a close relationship?

• Are they trying to calm some inner anxiety?

Many resources are available to those seeking to learn more about pornography. For an extensive list of resources, see the article, "Helpful Resources for Pornography Addictions and Other Problematic Sexual Behaviors" found at this website.

Other resources are:

Self-help Literature

• False Intimacy by Dr. Harry Schaumburg
• Out of the Shadows by Dr. Patrick Carnes
• Don't Call It Love by Dr. Patrick Carnes

Websites

• Utah Coalition Against Pornography: www.utahcoalition.org.
• Fight the New Drug: https://fightthenewdrug.org/

Written by Amber Brewer and Rachel Jamieson, Research Assistants, and edited by Jill C. Manning and Rory C. Reid, Sexual Addiction Therapists in Private Practice, and Stephen F. Duncan, Professor, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.

References

1. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Public Education (2001). Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media.
2. Bergner, R. M., & Bridges, A. J. (2002). The significance of heavy pornography involvement for romantic partners: Research and clinical implications. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 28, 193-206.
3. Birch, P. J. (2002). Pornography use: Consequences and cures. Marriage and Families, 18-25.
4. Brooks, G. R. (1995). The centerfold syndrome. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
5. Carnes, P. (1992). Out of the shadows: Understanding sexual addiction (2^nd ed.). Center City, MN: Hazelden.
6. Carnes, P. (2003). Sex Addiction Q and A.
7. Carnes, P. (1994). A gentle path through the twelve steps: The classic guide for all people in the process of recovery. Compcare Publications.
8. Cline, V. B. (2002). Pornography's effects on adults and children.
9. Cline, V. B., & Wilcox, B. (2002). The pornography trap. Marriage and Families, 10-17.
10. Cooper, A. (2002). Sex and the internet: A guidebook for clinicians. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
11. Cooper, A. (1999). Sexuality on the internet: From sexual exploration to pathological expression. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 30(2), 154-164.
12. Cooper, A. (1998). Sexuality and the Internet: Surfing into the new millennium. Cyber Psychology & Behavior, 1(2), 181-187.
13. Focus on the Family (1999). Can intimacy be found online?
14. Hosley, R., & Watters, S.(2000). Dangers and disappointments of pornography.
15. Greensfield, D. N. (1999). Virtual addiction. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
16. Laaser, M. (2000). The Availability of Obscene Material on the Internet. Hearing of Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee, May 23.
17. Milkman, H., & Sunderwirth, S. (1987). Craving for ecstasy. Lexington , M.A., Lexington Books.
18. Morahan-Martin, J. (1998).The gender gap in Internet use: Why men use the Internet more than women: A literary review. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 1, 3-10.
19. Nordland, R., & Bartholet,J. (2001). The web's dark secret.
20. Rachman, S. (1968). Experientially induced sexual fetishism. Psychological Record, 18(1), 25-27.
21. Reid, R. C. Considerations for religious leaders working with pornography problems. Unpublished paper. Presented at The Gathering Place, Provo, Utah.
22. Reid, R. C., & Gray, D. (2002). Discussing pornography problems with a spouse: Confronting and disclosing secret behaviors. Murray, UT: Rory Reid.
23. Reid, R. C. (2002). Is pornography addiction real?
24. Walker, K. (2002). Internet Pornography Frequented by 20% of U.S. Adults, Studies Show.
25. Washton, A., & Boundy, D. (1989). Willpower's not enough: Recovering from addictions of every kind. New York: Harper Perennial.
26. York, F., & LaRue, J. (2002). Protecting your child in an x-rated world: What you need to know to make a difference. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Among the membership of the church, the issue of pornography use has been a concern for quite some time. There are some in society that would have us believe that there is nothing wrong with looking at pornography. With pornography being so prevalent in our society, it can become unclear what is considered pornographic.

Pornography Defined

A definition offered in a publication by the church called True to the Faith, states:

Pornography is any material depicting or describing the human body or sexual conduct in any way that arouses sexual feelings. It is distributed through many media, including magazines, books, television, movies, music, and the Internet.⁵

Is it Really That Bad?

The church has also taken a very clear position about the destructive potential of pornography stating that it is "...as harmful to the spirit as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs are to the body." Additionally, the current prophet and apostles have told us that pornography "...can lead to other serious sins. Using pornographic material in any way is a violation of a commandment of God: "Thou shalt not ... commit adultery ... nor do anything like unto it" (D&C 59:6).⁵

Can I Really Become Addicted?

While there is some debate in society about the addictiveness of pornography, in the book True to the Faith, the prophet and apostles of the church have stated very clearly that "[p]ornography is tragically addictive. Like other addictions, it leads people to experiment and to seek more powerful stimulations...[i]t will tear you down and lead you to evil thoughts and possibly evil actions".⁵

Far-Reaching Effects

Some individuals involved in the production and use of pornography may have us believe that there is no effect on those who are not directly viewing pornography. President Gordon B. Hinckley explains that

suffice it to say that all who are involved become victims. Children are exploited, and their lives are severely damaged. The minds of youth become warped with false concepts. Continued exposure leads to addiction that is almost impossible to break.¹

Elder Richard G. Scott draws specific attention to the marital relationship by posing the question:

How can a man, particularly a priesthood bearer, not think of the damage emotionally and spiritually caused to a woman, especially to a wife, from such abhorrent activity?⁴

Where Do I Go for Help?

In a recent Ensign article, Rory Reid discusses resources for help. He notes that "the adversary tempts those with a pornography addiction to try to hide, or cover, their sins, thus thwarting the repentance process and avoiding the true source of healing, 'and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell' (2 Ne. 28:21)."³ Reid further points out that "when we accept the Atonement, we confess our sins and submit to the consequences of our choices." By attempting to handle the problem on our own, Reid says, "we erroneously try to usurp the authority of the Savior."

One paragraph in True to the Faith encourages those who struggle with pornography to seek help:

If you are caught in the trap of pornography, stop immediately and seek help. Through repentance, you can receive forgiveness and find hope in the gospel. Go to your bishop or branch president for counsel on how to overcome your problem, and seek healing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to give you the strength to overcome this terrible addiction.⁵

President Gordon B. Hinckley pleads with not only church members but "any within the sound of my voice who" is involved in pornography to find help. He lovingly implores, "may you have the courage to seek the loving guidance of your bishop and, if necessary, the counsel of caring professionals".¹

References

1. Hinckley, G. B. (2004, November). A tragic evil among us. Ensign, 59.
2. Monson, T. M. (2001, July). Pornography, the deadly carrier. Ensign, 2.
3. Reid, R. C. (2005, February). The road back: Abandoning pornography. Ensign, 47.
4. Scott, R. G. (2000, May). The sanctity of womanhood. Ensign, 36.
5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pornography. True to the faith (pp. 117-118).