Among the flow of information are publications, news, and reflections on the undeniable relationship of pornography consumption to men’s aggressive, violent and humiliating behavior toward women. The Internet is an important factor in the socialization of children and adolescents. As a positive phenomenon, it simplifies the process of obtaining valuable information, but at the same time, it has emerged as a source of distorted data and potential dangers. In the past few decades, due to unfettered high-speed access to the Internet, porn has undergone a significant transformation, mainly since more violent videos have emerged (Altman, 2018). Although, the vast majority of porn videos, both professional and amateur, depict people who are generally happy to have consensual, non-violent sex. In addition, it is now accessible to more users, which may provoke different reactions from them. Thus, connections between watching pornography and committing violence against women need to be established.
The Arguments for the Connection Between Pornography and Violence
It is significant to highlight that pornography is becoming more accessible to people with the development of the Internet, which is why it is valuable to establish its effect on their behavior. Importantly, Rostad et al. (2019) demonstrate that the influence of pornography is highly correlated with men’s sexual behavior and aggression toward females. Accordingly, they investigated the links between different forms of violence in adolescents and the revision of pornography in the article. Moreover, the article suggests that the promotion of accepted social norms and rules can reduce violence against women (Rostad et al., 2019). Thus, the authors not only state the correlation of these factors but also present possible solutions to the challenge.
At the same time, the argument that explains the increase in violence after watching pornography is its impact on the brain. Therefore, twenty years of research indicate a negative correlation between pornography viewing and the prevalence of violence against females. The data collected by FightTheNewDrug.org reveals that of the 50 porn videos with the highest ratings, 304 sex scenes were detected that would encourage violence in 88%. This is because of the depiction of permissible assault; for example, in pornographic videos, 95% of women react with a smile and approval to pain acts (Pornography and violence against women, n.d.). Accordingly, this influences the impression that violent men are attractive to females.
In general, pornography provides the perception to males that women expect them to be abusive, which is why they commit it. However, the level of excitement affects the brain’s functioning, which leads to rash actions and reactions in men. Hence, these processes contribute to the fact that men who view pornography are capable of raping women. The researchers suggest that the demonstration of aggression in porn influences the manifestation of real sexual violence. A survey of 2,000 British women ages 18 to 39 found that 38 percent had received unwanted spitting, flogging, choking, and gagging during sex. Twenty percent reported feeling frustrated and frightened afterward. 31% stated that they had no such experience, and 31% of the females reported that they did not want to discuss it (Powell & Henry, 2017, p. 34). Therefore, it is clear that the problem is serious in today’s society.
Interestingly, not all men are capable of committing aggressive acts after watching pornography; this is due to their personality characteristics. Hald et al. (2010) indicate that pornography, especially in violent contexts, significantly impacts increasing levels of violence against females. At the same time, they establish that each person’s personality traits play an essential factor in the ultimate decision to rape (Hald et al., 2010). Individual differences in a person’s character or temperament and watching pornography are crucial in encouraging violence.
The Counterargument
The reasons against pornography are numerous, ranging from the fact that pornography degrades women and the moral judgment that viewing pornography causes sex crimes. However, the severity of this problem is explored by a multitude of studies. Researchers indicate that a correlation between sex crimes and pornography does exist (Altman, 2018). It appears that rather than multiplying the number of sex crimes, porn can actually reduce the rate of such occurrences.
For years, many scholars have investigated the connection between pornography and sex crimes and between pornography and attitudes toward females. Researchers have determined that with pornography constantly expanding, the incidence of sex crimes either decreased or simply did not grow. Although it sounds counterintuitive, studies suggest that pornography does not contribute to sex crimes. At the time, some doubters might indicate that the majority of sex offenders and prison inmates have watched porn (Altman, 2018). Nevertheless, almost every man and a substantial number of females enjoy pornography. That is, opponents insist that most offenders have watched porn.
However, other investigations have discovered that it is the act of punishing the use of porn that can contribute to becoming a potential abuser, not the use of pornography itself. In fact, research suggests that repressive religious upbringing may be an even more significant factor in violence than pornography. At the same time, researchers Michael Goldstein and Harold Kant revealed that incarcerated rapists were more likely than nonviolent rapists to be ordered to watch pornography at a young age (Altman, 2018). Contrary to this, other research has revealed that nondominant offenders viewed more pornography and watched it at a younger age than perpetrators. However, one correlation with elevated sexual crimes against women is a rigorous, authoritative religious education. Researcher Richard Green found that rapists and pedophiles use minor pornography than a control group of “normal” men (Altman, 2018). While such studies do not prove that pornography is positive for society, they imply that pornography does not affect the relationship between porn reviews and increased violence against women.
Conclusion
Thus, it is hypothesized that high levels of pornography viewing affect increasing sexual aggression. Additionally, it is important to note that individuals who watch abusive porn are more inclined to objectify and inhumanize others in sexual terms. Although watching porn does not change all users into rapists, research shows that much of the video that millions of people watch every day reinforces the perception that violence is a normal part of sex. Such porn broadcasts that sexual violence is a condition of pleasure. Many even non-aggressive pornographies reproduce scenarios in which there is an imbalance between partner behavior; men play the dominant role, and women are submissive. To state unequivocally that everyone who watches violent porn wants to embody similar scenarios in life is incorrect. This is because people’s individual characteristics play a significant role. Accordingly, there are links between watching pornography and violence, but they are insufficiently strong to stimulate rape independently of other factors.
References
Altman, A., & Watson, L. (2018). Debating pornography. Oxford University Press.
Hald, G. M., Malamuth, N. M., & Yuen, C. (2010). Pornography and attitudes supporting violence against women: Revisiting the relationship in nonexperimental studies. Aggressive Behavior, 36(1), 14–20. Web.
Pornography and violence against women: Does a link exist? (n.d.). Family and Media. Web.
Powell, A., & Henry, N. (2017). Sexual violence in a digital age. Springer.
Rostad, W. L., Gittins-Stone, D., Huntington, C., Rizzo, C. J., Pearlman, D., & Orchowski, L. (2019). The association between exposure to violent pornography and teen dating violence in grade 10 high school students. Archives of sexual behavior, 48(7), 2137-2147. Web.