Porn Culture

WHAT IS PORNOGRAPHY?
Pornography is “the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement”. (Merriam Webster)

The porn industry exists primarily online. Because porn is accessible online, it is much easier for people to develop a habit or dependency on pornography and keep it hidden from those around them. Instead of needing to hide videos or magazines, everything is online and can be erased from search histories.
This has created a new kind of porn culture that pervades our society.
MAGNITUDE OF THE PORN INDUSTRY
If you are struggling with an addiction to pornography, you are not alone!
  • 90% of boys and 60% of girls are exposed to pornography before the age of 18
  • 36% of the internet is pornography
  • Pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry
  • Porn Hub reports over 100 million visits daily (EFC)
Avoiding pornography is a hard thing to do in our current culture!
HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF EXPOSURE TO PORNOGRAPHY
Extended exposure to pornography changes the way the brain and body function such as: (EFC)
  • Decreased motivation
  • Poor concentration
  • Depression
  • Social anxiety
  • Negative self-perception
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Apathy towards sexual violence and rape

Pornography and the Sex Industry

WHAT IS CYBERSEX TRAFFICKING?
Cybersex trafficking is the trafficking of individuals to perform webcam sex shows for profit. This crime is focused on children, though adults can experience this kind of exploitation as well.
  • Recorded footage and livestreams are shared via electronic devices such as computers or smartphones. (Carback)
  • This form of exploitation is currently exploding in the Philippines. 2,600 incidents of cybersex trafficking are reported every month in the Philippines from United States customers alone.
  • Buyers can specifically request sexual acts from the children they are viewing by sending their requests to their traffickers. (Carback)
THE ISSUE OF CONSENT
  • In Canada, the creation and viewing of pornography of someone under 18 is illegal because they are not able to offer consent for themselves. However, there is no consistent way to verify the age of a participant in pornography.
  • The use of drugs, coercion, and luring tactics to obtain consent is unverifiable. A trafficker can obtain consent through illegal means while off camera.
  • In the case of pornographic images, there is no way to know for sure that the model has consented to the sharing of that image, or if it has been taken out of their control or without their knowledge
HOW ARE PORN AND THE SEX INDUSTRY CONNECTED?
  1. Pornography fuels the demand for paid sex. When the demand for sexual services increases, there is an increase in the number of people, primarily women and children, who are lured into situations of sex trafficking to meet this demand.
  2. People who are involved in the production of pornography, are sometimes trafficked. (Rescue:Freedom)
  3. The production of pornography images or videos can make an individual vulnerable to being exploited. In recent years, Cybertip.ca has seen an increase in reports from youth ranging from 12 to 17 years of age.
PORNOGRAPHY CHANGES BRAIN CHEMISTRY
  • Pornography is highly addictive. Watching pornography causes the brain to release dopamine, the same chemical that is released when consuming drugs or alcohol (EFC)
  • When watching pornography, the viewer's brain processes the person as an object, not a person
  • Frequent use of pornography can have a similar effect on the brain as drug use (thedoctorsweighin.com)
PORNOGRAPHY AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
  • Gender-based violence is an increased inclination for violence towards those of a specific gender.
  • The regular viewing of pornography can make people apathetic towards rape and gender-based violence. (EFC)
  • Analysis of the 50 most popular pornographic videos found that 88% of scenes contained physical violence, and 49% contained verbal aggression. 87% of aggressive acts were perpetrated against women, and 95% of responses were either neutral or expressions of pleasure. (Bridges, et al)

Pornography Addiction

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM ADDICTED TO PORN?
Cyber pornography use inventory identifies 3 areas that characterize an addiction to pornography:
  1. Compulsivity - "Pornography sometimes interferes with other aspects of my life"
  2. Access Efforts - "At times, I try to arrange my schedule so that I will be able to be alone in order to view pornography"
  3. Emotional Distress - "I feel ashamed after viewing pornography"
            (Image retrieved from therecoveryvillage.com)
WHAT CAN I DO TO FIGHT AN ADDICTION TO PORNOGRAPHY?
The decision to fight an addiction to pornography is a big one, and every step forward is important! There are tons of resources available to help you in your fight!

References

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pornography
  2. www.efc.ca
  3. Cybersex Trafficking: Toward a More Effective Prosecutorial Response, Carback, 2018
  4. Rescue:Freedom
  5. thedoctorweighsin.com
  6. Ana J. Bridges, Robert Wosnitzer, Erica Scharrer, Chyng Sun, and Rachael Liberman, “Aggression and Sexual Behavior in Best-Selling Pornography Videos: A Content Analysis Update,” Violence against Women 16, no. 10 (2010): 1065–1085.