Louis (Louis) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 3:32 am)

Well said.

rj (rj) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 am)

First, Liam, awesome post. You definitely know your international sex history. I was impressed by the details.

Jerry: You are either a real-world troll, writing a nice little opinion piece just to see who you’ll hook, or you are truly pornophobic. I like to think people who have a fear of something so universal as sex have significant problems perceiving the world.

Porn is a way to visually imprint your sex drive. Let’s say you’re me and have a certain something for ponytails and brown eyes - or - super twinks in compromising positions. I’m not 100% everyday going to run into real life sexual encounters with these characters. Unfortunately for my libido, I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. 7 minutes later I surf to my favorite free porn websites and I can find images that suit my fancy.

I’m happy, there’s no “victims”, no hurt feelings, no muss, no fuss. Porn is good. It vanquishes the evil of sexual frustration.

RobSpreen (RobSpreen) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 am)

Yea I think porn can help make people more comfortable interacting with people in all environments, sure you generally see a very stereotypical “perfect” person type idea in porn, but once you look at it a little bit you start seeing all sorts of stuff and wont be quite offended by as many differnt things. I suppose that could be a numbing effect which jerry might like to say or something.

Long and sort I wanted to only write the next sentance, but felt it wouldn’t be appropriate, so I started typing something else.

I sure do love beating my meat so that it looks like it was thrown out a moving car the next morning when I wake up.

Also I am a huge sofite and could never work up the strong manly rape balls to ever rape a woman and I masturbate constantly.

Is what it is…

Sam (Sam) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm)

This Jerry kid is no stranger to being obnoxious on the internet (cf. http://www.bimmershops.com/illinois/mehta-motors/). Also, there already exist a couple of porn-versus-rape studies that don’t even require sticky cross-cultural comparison:

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=913013

http://www.freespeechcoalition.com/webdocs/Kendallpaper.pdf

Eric K (Eric K) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 4:03 pm)

Sir, I applaud you! I would shake your hand if I knew where you could be found…but I’ll make sure to wash mine first.

Mike (Mike) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 4:51 pm)

Liam you must remember watching porn turns you into a womanizer and smoking marijuana once will make you fail out of college. These are the rules of life, as pasted down by our forefathers who followed them blindly, where is our place to question them?

Jess (Jess) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 5:42 pm)

I could try to play the devil’s advocate here but I can’t really find any topic of Jerry’s with which to start. Therefore, you win,my friend.

Alex Hillmer-McGee (Alex Hillmer-McGee) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 6:43 pm)

I took a look at the latest studies and found these six from 2008 alone–confirming a link to all kinds of things, from identity development to domestic violence. It is worth noting that these are *not* Christian/religious researchers
These are mainstream, academic journals. On that note, there was a fascinating report last year from the APA (one of the most liberal organizations in America) on the “sexualization of young girls”–I’ve shared it a couple of times–coming from the APA, it’s got some clout: http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/sexualization.html

Along these same lines, there are two books out by liberal authors exploring the harm of pornography–one is called “Pornified” (google it) and the other “Getting Off” (see review from the journal Violence Against Women at the bottom).

Women as sex objects and victims in print advertisements.

Stankiewicz, Julie M.1; Rosselli, Francine1
(1)Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, US
Sex Roles. Vol 58(7-8), Apr 2008, pp. 579-589
This content analysis examined the depiction of women in 1,988 advertisements from 58 popular U.S. magazines. Advertisements were coded with respect to whether women were presented as sex objects and/or as victims using a scheme developed by the researchers. On average across magazines, one of two advertisements that featured women portrayed them as sex objects. Women appeared as victims in just under ten percent of the advertisements. Men’s, women’s fashion, and female adolescent magazines were more likely to portray women as sex objects and as victims than news and business, special interest, or women’s non-fashion magazines. The implications of viewing advertisements depicting women as sex objects and as victims, especially sexualized victims, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

Adolescents’ exposure to sexually explicit internet material, sexual uncertainty, and attitudes toward uncommitted sexual exploration: Is there a link?
Peter, Jochen1; Valkenburg, Patti M.1
Affiliation (1)Amsterdam School of Communications Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Communication Research. Vol 35(5), Oct 2008, pp. 579-601
The link between adolescents’ exposure to sexual media content and their sexual socialization has hardly been approached from an identity development framework. Moreover, existing research has largely ignored the role of adolescents’ exposure to sexually explicit Internet material in that association. This study introduces two characteristics of adolescents’ sexual self–sexual uncertainty and attitudes toward sexual exploration–and investigates these characteristics as potential correlates of adolescents’ exposure to sexually explicit Internet material. Drawing from a sample of 2,343 Dutch adolescents aged 13 to 20, the authors find that more frequent exposure to sexually explicit Internet material is associated with greater sexual uncertainty and more positive attitudes toward uncommitted sexual exploration (i.e., sexual relations with casual partners/friends or with sexual partners in one-night stands). The findings call for more attention to adolescents’ exposure to sexually explicit material on the Internet and identity-related issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

Adolescents’ exposure to sexually explicit Internet material and sexual preoccupancy: A three-wave panel study.
Peter, Jochen1; Valkenburg, Patti M.1
Affiliation (1)University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Media Psychology. Vol 11(2), Apr-Jun 2008, pp. 207-234
The main aim of this study was to investigate whether adolescents’ use of sexually explicit Internet material (SEIM) increased their sexual preoccupancy (i.e., a strong cognitive engagement in sexual issues). Further, we wanted to know (a) whether subjective sexual arousal mediated a potential influence of exposure to SEIM on sexual preoccupancy and (b) whether this process differed between male and female adolescents. Over the course of one year, we surveyed 962 Dutch adolescents aged 13-20 years three times. Structural equation modeling showed that exposure to SEIM stimulated sexual preoccupancy. This influence was fully mediated by subjective sexual arousal from SEIM. The effect of exposure to SEIM on subjective sexual arousal d id not differ between male and female adolescents. The findings suggest that a sexualized media environment may affect adolescents’ sexual development beyond traditionally studied variables, such as sexual attitudes and sexual behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved) (journal

Early sexual experiences: The role of Internet access and sexually explicit material.
Kraus, Shane W.1; Russell, Brenda2
Affiliation (1)Psychology Department, Castleton State College, Castleton, VT, US; (2)Psychology Department, Penn State-Berks, Reading, PA, US
CyberPsychology & Behavior. Vol 11(2), Apr 2008, pp. 162-168
The current study investigated whether viewing X-rated movies, Internet access in the home, and gender of the participant would differ between age of first initiation for oral sex, age of first initiation for sexual intercourse, and number of sexual partners. An online sample of 437 participants with an average age of 29.46 participated in the study. Each participant completed a survey that assessed early sexual behaviors and Internet and X-rated material exposure. Results discovered males with Internet access during the ages of 12 to 17 reported significantly younger ages for first oral sex compared to males without Internet access. In addition, male and female participants with Internet access, between the ages 12 to 17, reported younger ages for first sexual intercourse compared to participants without Internet access. Study limitations and implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

Linking male use of the sex industry to controlling behaviors in violent relationships: An exploratory analysis.
Simmons, Catherine A.1; Lehmann, Peter2; Collier-Tenison, Shannon3
Affiliation (1)University of Tennessee, College of Social Work, TN, US; (2)Community Services Center, University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, Arlington, TX, US; (3)University of Arkansas at Little Rock, School of Social Work, Little Rock, AR, US
Violence Against Women. Vol 14(4), Apr 2008, pp. 406-417
In an attempt to better understand the relationship between male use of the sex industry (i.e., pornography and strip clubs) and interpersonal violence (IPV), 2,135 female residents of an IPV shelter were surveyed regarding their batterer’s use of both the sex industry and controlling behaviors in their relationship. Findings indicate that male domestic violence offenders who utilize the sex industry use more controlling behaviors than male domestic violence offenders who do not. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

Developmental experiences of child sexual abusers and rapists.
Simons, Dominique A.1; Wurtele, Sandy K.2; Durham, Robert L.2
(1)Colorado Department of Corrections, Canon City, CO, US; (2)University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO, US
Child Abuse & Neglect. Vol 32(5), May 2008, pp. 549-560
Objective: The aim of this study is to identify the distinct developmental experiences associated with child sexual abuse and rape. Method: For 269 sexual offenders (137 rapists and 132 child sexual abusers), developmental experiences were recorded from a behavioral checklist, a parental-bonding survey, and a sexual history questionnaire. Offender classification was obtained from official records and verified through polygraph examinations. Results: Compared to rapists, child sexual abusers reported more frequent experiences of child sexual abuse (73%), early exposure to pornography (65% before age 10), an earlier onset of masturbation (60% before age 11), and sexual activities with animals (38%). In contrast to child sexual abusers, rapists reported more frequent experiences of physical abuse (68%), parental violence (78%), emotional abuse (70%), and cruelty to animals (68%). Both child sexual abusers and rapists (>93%) reported frequent exposure to violent media during their childhood. Most offenders (94%) described having insecure parental attachment bonds; 76% of rapists reported avoidant parental attachments and 62% of child sexual abusers reported anxious parental attachments. Conclusions: Findings from this study support the role of specific developmental experiences as etiological factors in differential sexual offending. Child sexual abusers’ developmental histories were characterized by heightened sexuality; whereas rapists’ childhood histories were more indicative of violence. These findings have implications for the treatment of sexual abusers and the prevention of sexual abuse. Practice Implications: This study’s findings suggest that sexual offenders have been socialized to satisfy human needs of intimacy and sexuality through maladaptive means, which implies that a risk management approach may not be sufficient treatment. Although risk models teach offenders skills to avoid high-risk situations, they fail to address the maladaptive strategies that they may have developed for satisfying needs. Instead, the focus of treatment should be to equip offenders with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to achieve these needs in an acceptable manner. Thus, this model will provide these individuals with the opportunity to live a healthy life without sexual offending. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)
Review of Getting off: Pornography and the end of masculinity.
Author Raphael, Jody1
(1)DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, IL, US
Source Violence Against Women. Vol 14(9), Sep 2008, pp. 1079-1081
Reviews the book, Getting off: Pornography and the end of masculinity by R. Jensen (see record 2007-14550-000). This amazing book is the product of almost 20 years of study and activism against the contemporary pornography industry and the images it produces. In a short 200 pages, Robert Jensen puts in everything he has learned. Jensen deals with all the possible adverse consequences that creep into the culture from porn films: the idea that women want to be abused, that it is permissible and normal to fantasize about hurting your wife or partner, and that men are not masculine enough unless they can abuse their partners, as do the heroes of porno flicks. The work is his attempt to reposition the long and tedious battle about pornography, which has polarized feminism and thus enabled the industry to flourish, by asking the essential questions that are grounded in the actual content of today’s porn films. That it is written by a man who has used pornography and who is brave enough to describe its effects makes this simply a unique contribution. I cannot imagine the emotional upset and trauma that studying the current pornography industry has had on Jensen. But the effort has been well worth it. This is a beautiful book. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)

good sean (good sean) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 8:05 pm)

Christianity gave Eros poison to drink - he did not die of it, to be sure, but degenerated into vice. - Nietzsche

I think the best way to get people to relax about porn is to show then Thinking XXX
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438492/

Theres also a really good frontline documentary about the modern porn industry which is a bit dated since it covers the Bush2 era but nevertheless insightful
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/porn/view/

wow i never thought i would ever see pbs.org/something/porn/veiw in my life.

Nate (Nate) says:
(Posted February 3rd, 2009 at 8:43 pm)

There was a time in my life when I would have repeated arguments such as those Jerry makes. That time has passed. It’s silly to say that we’re not affected by our environment, but it’s also silly to say that porn will transform us into emotionally dead sexual predators. To my mind, what constitutes porn is quite vague. I don’t need a historical precedent, a religious text, or an academic article to tell me whether or not I do or in fact ought to enjoy erotic art. Jerry’s world is clearer; even underwear adds in which the models actually wear the product are, in Jerry’s opinion, pornographic. He pines for a mythic day which probably never existed for the majority of the population. Those whose lives in some way resembled his ideal likely thought a great deal about ending their gray, lukewarm, bland lives. May the Good Lord (granting for the moment the possibility of His existence) be kind to Jerry and not answer his prayer.

Jon Hansen (Jon Hansen) says:
(Posted February 4th, 2009 at 1:01 pm)

Let us never lose site of the fact that he is an 18 year old freshman trying to stir up a little conversation in his column so his editor will give him a spot each week.

Honestly, I agreed with nothing Jerry had to say. I will say however, unlike some DI columns, I was able to read the entire thing. I thought it was written well–consise and to the point.

It was all garbage, but it was presented well.

Jon (Jon) says:
(Posted February 4th, 2009 at 6:37 pm)

“But Kate Monster, What you think he do AFTER…………”
“EWWWW men are Gross!”
“….The internet is for porn, The internet is for porn, Grab your dick and double click for porn porn porn!”

Charlie (Charlie) says:
(Posted February 4th, 2009 at 7:24 pm)

If I ever travel back in time and need to get it on, I will now be prepared. Many thanks.

P.S. That column blew. I read it, too.

Nate (Nate) says:
(Posted February 4th, 2009 at 11:29 pm)

I would like to add (with regard to the comments about objectification and the diminishing of “personhood”) that our society, as social roles become more fluid and self-defined, contains less objectification of women than did Jerry’s golden age. Women are still objectified, and so are men. But some (and perhaps a majority of) people can and will always treat other people as objects. My point is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to speak of one dominant system of understanding gender roles and sexuality, and, as paradigms multiply, their coercive power is diffused.

Jean (Jean) says:
(Posted February 6th, 2009 at 10:20 am)

Yeah, I just don’t understand people who think sex is so taboo. It’s how you got here, so get over it and enjoy it!

J (J) says:
(Posted February 13th, 2009 at 1:56 am)

Everyone posted some refreshingly insightful or, at the least, appreciably sarcastic comments. And interesting analysis, Liam. While I cannot speak from direct exposure to Jerry’s article, I gather from your synopsis that it is limited in its foundational arguments. Still, I wonder if beyond his particularized arguments you’ve challenged yourself to fully entertain the theoretical underpinnings of the down-with-porn movement. More than an objectification issue, I do think that pornography presents a commodification of the body issue which is of particular concern to me. While you accurately assess the functionality and celebration of visual depictions of sex in your historical account, you seem to overlook the fact that the current nature of pornography in our society is not quite the same as it was in the world throughout history–though, I’m no porn expert. I mean, I don’t think most people conceive porn as artful or instructive. To be sure, even within the world of pornography there is great diversity; not all of it is XXXcore. There is, nevertheless, a violent trend of pornography portraying sex as a purely carnal, agrressive act. An act of domination, not communion. While this can occur in real life, seeing it on camera with over-representation divorces the intimacy of genuine sexual encounters from the sexual psyche of its viewers–a reinforcement of the worst kind. In a sense, this type of porn endorses a bang bang boom approach to sex that cheapens the experience in cutting out the intricate dynamics of reality, selling an all too easily consumed farce that people come to expect and replicate in the bedroom. While I don’t mean to imply that people can’t ever separate fact from fiction, I propose this sort of consumption is different from that of the esteemed historical and international works you’ve mentioned. That is, we are definitely at least differently influenced by violent porn and our perceptions of intimacy are somewhat skewed by over-and-easy-sexualization (*I like to make up words, sorry). As a final remark, I don’t know that I agree that we should be amenable to rapid technological advancement transforming our sexual lives. Sex is an intimate bio-function and, as such, I am wary that technological advancements that facilitate sex distract us of this fundamental truth. Yes, some people need a little help in the bedroom (or getting there) and I’m all for anything that aids that. But, there’s a difference between support and reliance. Hopefully we as a culture don’t lose sight of that; let us not supplant real experiences with aggrandized artificial and insincere ones.

John Bak (John Bak) says:
(Posted December 4th, 2009 at 11:32 am)

Social scientists, clinical psychologists, and biologists have begun to clarify some of the social and psychological effects, and neurologists are beginning to delineate the biological mechanisms through which pornography produces its powerful negative effects.
KEY FINDINGS ON THE EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY
THE FAMILY AND PORNOGRAPHY
Married men who are involved in pornography feel less satisfied with their conjugal relations and less emotionally attached to their wives. Wives notice and are upset by the difference.
Pornography use is a pathway to infidelity and divorce, and is frequently a major factor in these family disasters.
Among couples affected by one spouse’s addiction, two-thirds experience a loss of interest in sexual intercourse.
Both spouses perceive pornography viewing as tantamount to infidelity.
Pornography viewing leads to a loss of interest in good family relations.
THE INDIVIDUAL AND PORNOGRAPHY
Pornography is addictive, and neuroscientists are beginning to map the biological substrate of this addiction.
Users tend to become desensitized to the type of pornorgraphy they use, become bored with it, and then seek more perverse forms of pornography.
Men who view pornography regularly have a higher tolerance for abnormal sexuality, including rape, sexual aggression, and sexual promiscuity.
Prolonged consumption of pornography by men produces stronger notions of women as commodities or as “sex objects.”
Pornography engenders greater sexual permissiveness, which in turn leads to a greater risk of out-of-wedlock births and STDs. These, in turn, lead to still more weaknesses and debilities.
Child-sex offenders are more likely to view pornography regularly or to be involved in its distribution.
OTHER EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY
Many adolescents who view pornography initially feel shame, diminished self-confidence, and sexual uncertainty, but these feelings quickly shift to unadulterated enjoyment with regular viewing.
The presence of sexually oriented businesses significantly harms the surrounding community, leading to increases in crime and decreases in property values.
The main defenses against pornography are close family life, a good marriage and good relations between parents and children, coupled with deliberate parental monitoring of Internet use. Traditionally, government has kept a tight lid on sexual traffic and businesses, but in matters of pornography that has waned almost completely, except where child pornography is concerned. Given the massive, deleterious individual, marital, family, and social effects of pornography, it is time for citizens, communities, and government to reconsider their laissez-faire approach.