Pornography and how it affects society

Postby SolidSnickerdoodle » Mon Feb 01, 2016 4:32 pm

This might not be such a controversial topic to constitute a spot in this forum, but I couldn't think of any other section to include it in.

Recently in my Psychology class, we've been covering the topic of motivation. The different types, intrinsic, extrinsic, biological motivators, etc.

Today we got on the topic of sex because sex, as we all know, is a huge motivator that can widely influence our behavior. Being seniors in high school, we were all more than mature enough to handle a topic like this (I'm actually not being sarcastic). The conversation went as expected. Sex is an underlying drive that is necessary, natural, and healthy, but can lead to impulsive behavior that causes mistakes. Yadda yadda yadda.

Then it got a little heavier. He got on the topic of external sexual stimulus (sexually explicit images, media, porn, etc) and how it an have adverse affects on society.

This is where he "gets on his soap box" as he likes to call it. He reminded us that these were just his own opinions on the matter and that we did not have to agree with him. One of the things he mentioned was the staggering divorce rate within the United States (somewhere above 50% I think). He, being among that percent, was not about to harp on the idea, but he did believe that too many people were getting divorced for not the right reasons.

When I think of the current divorce rate, I believe that many people were always unhappy with their marriages in the past. It's just more socially acceptable to get a divorce now than it was 30+ years ago. Simply put if you were unhappy with a marriage you dealt with it. My psych teacher believes that there is some truth to that, but he also believes that the sexualized media and easy access to pornography is also contributing to it.

Similar to how having gorgeous models shoved in your face 24/7 can make a person feel bad about themselves, it can also decrease a person's opinion of their partner. Porn and the media as a whole provide unrealistic standards, but nonetheless seeing these beautiful models and porn stars can spark some comparisons, comparisons that your partner is bound to lose. That's the theory anyway.

Now, this isn't to say that porn is the cause of divorce. However, what he was saying was something that I'd never even considered before. It was interesting. Whenever I think of porn, I always imagine it as a perfectly healthy habit, and something that all guys do. But when and if I get a girlfriend/boyfriend, I don't want my opinion of them to decrease because they're not willing to try what I've seen online, or they don't measure up to the hype.

All this being said, I'm most likely not going to stop watching porn. I'm a hormonal 18 year old. It's gonna happen. What do you guys think about any of this?
There is only one God, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: Not today.

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby Sniffmyfeet » Mon Feb 01, 2016 10:15 pm

Thanks for bringing up yet another interesting topic!

I think what you say is true. Porn can raise the expectations we have of our partners. You say you're aware of this, and I think that's a good thing. At least you realise it's not realistic to expect your partner to do all the things you've seen online, although you might of course try out something new every now and then.

You might also look at it from a different side: porn allows people to enjoy the things which they dream about in their wildest dreams, things which in real life they would never want to be done to their partners or themselves. So then you could say that porn is some sort of protection mechanism against pushing your partner's limits.
bondage /'bɒndɪdʒ/ noun & verb. ME.
A The condition of being bound or tied; fig. subjection to authority, constraining force, or obligation. LME.
‣b
spec. Sadomasochism involving binding, handcuffing, etc. M20.

(SOED, 6th ed.)

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby Jason Toddman » Sun Feb 28, 2016 5:42 pm

Can't say I really have a horse in this race. I've never been married and conventional porn is so disinteresting to me that I have to draw my own catered to my unusual and specific tastes.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby ducttape1234 » Mon Feb 29, 2016 1:55 pm

Sniffmyfeet wrote:Thanks for bringing up yet another interesting topic!

I think what you say is true. Porn can raise the expectations we have of our partners. You say you're aware of this, and I think that's a good thing. At least you realise it's not realistic to expect your partner to do all the things you've seen online, although you might of course try out something new every now and then.

You might also look at it from a different side: porn allows people to enjoy the things which they dream about in their wildest dreams, things which in real life they would never want to be done to their partners or themselves. So then you could say that porn is some sort of protection mechanism against pushing your partner's limits.


I like how you worded that. Exactly.

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby Sniffmyfeet » Mon Feb 29, 2016 8:44 pm

ducttape1234 wrote:I like how you worded that. Exactly.


Thanks!
bondage /'bɒndɪdʒ/ noun & verb. ME.
A The condition of being bound or tied; fig. subjection to authority, constraining force, or obligation. LME.
‣b
spec. Sadomasochism involving binding, handcuffing, etc. M20.

(SOED, 6th ed.)

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby drawscore » Tue Mar 01, 2016 12:27 am

Someone once said "I can't define pornography, but I know it when I see it."

Drawscore

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby Jason Toddman » Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:04 am

drawscore wrote:Someone once said "I can't define pornography, but I know it when I see it."

Drawscore

That's not very helpful. :geek:
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby drawscore » Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:08 am

Jason Toddman wrote:
drawscore wrote:Someone once said "I can't define pornography, but I know it when I see it."

Drawscore

That's not very helpful. :geek:



Probably because pornography is different things to different people. Even nudity, which is considered pornographic by most people, is "fine art," when done by Michaelangelo (statue of David), or at least "art," as a Playboy centerfold.

As for the quote, I believe it was made by US Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart, in 1964.

Drawscore

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby Jason Toddman » Mon Mar 07, 2016 5:03 am

drawscore wrote:
Jason Toddman wrote:
drawscore wrote:Someone once said "I can't define pornography, but I know it when I see it."

Drawscore

That's not very helpful. :geek:



Probably because pornography is different things to different people. Even nudity, which is considered pornographic by most people, is "fine art," when done by Michaelangelo (statue of David), or at least "art," as a Playboy centerfold.

As for the quote, I believe it was made by US Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart, in 1964.

Drawscore

I thought the quote referenced obscenity, but I'll take your word for it since to some people the terms are synonymous.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

Re: Pornography and how it affects society

Postby AlexUSA » Mon Mar 07, 2016 4:35 pm

drawscore wrote:
Jason Toddman wrote:
drawscore wrote:Someone once said "I can't define pornography, but I know it when I see it."

Drawscore

That's not very helpful. :geek:



Probably because pornography is different things to different people. Even nudity, which is considered pornographic by most people, is "fine art," when done by Michaelangelo (statue of David), or at least "art," as a Playboy centerfold.

As for the quote, I believe it was made by US Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart, in 1964.

Drawscore


Not... just no... even when Michelangelo does it it just seems... wrong... let's just leave it at that.
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