cognitive psychologist: no evidence porn hurts relationships

[_DoubtingThomas]

"Despite strident claims that research has proven porn use is harmful to relationships, there is in fact no such evidence"
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ta ... ationships

The article was published on May 29, 2017

[_sock puppet]

None of us would exist if not for human sexual activity. Yet societally, religion treats human sexuality as shameful, something not to be talked about, and labels depictions of it as 'pornographic' (as if that's bad). Sexual attraction and acting on it are the most human of all aspects of our existence, because without them, mankind would become extinct and have no other aspects. Sexual attraction and acting on it should be openly celebrated, not bottled up in a closet.

[_Sanctorian]

There's two types of liars. Those that say they've never watched porn and those that say they've stopped.

[_krose]

Of course there is no inherent harm to a relationship. That should go without saying.

The harm comes from conflict -- either internal conflict from acting against a personal conviction, or a conflict with an action that a partner opposes.

Then again, a person can develop an unhealthy obsession (not addiction) with anything, which can definitely harm a relationship. But I don't think that's very common.

[_krose]

Also, something I harp on often: it's impossible to authoritatively condemn something you can't even reliably define. What is 'porn,' anyway?

[_deacon blues]

There's two types of liars. Those that say they've never watched porn and those that say they've stopped.

Don't you believe in the "Not Even Once Club?"

[_Xenophon]

Also, something I harp on often: it's impossible to authoritatively condemn something you can't even reliably define. What is 'porn,' anyway?

I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description ["hard-core pornography"], and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_know_it_when_I_see_it

[_krose]

But I know it when I see it

That's the problem, isn't it? The term means something different to just about everyone, which renders it essentially meaningless, especially when forbidding it either legally or religiously.

[_Xenophon]

But I know it when I see it

That's the problem, isn't it? The term means something different to just about everyone, which renders it essentially meaningless, especially when forbidding it either legally or religiously.

I'm in full agreement. I was mainly just hoping to show how subjective it could be. There is also the huge issue of differentiating between addiction and obsession. I think many incorrectly ascribe addiction to what is generally more likely obsessive in nature (if it is even that bad in the first place).

Can having an unhealthy obsession with viewing porn disrupt your relationships? You betcha it can! So can obsessing over avoiding it though, or any other behavior that interferes with forming connections.

I am a firm believer (and I know I am not the first to suggest it, even on this thread) that the underlying issue is actually one of trust and communication. As long as personal feelings and desires are shared and acknowledged by both within the relationship, you're probably going to be a-okay.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Why hasn't Stephanie Myers been subjected to a Court of Love for her pornographic filth? Why does she get to 'enjoy' the benefits of being a Mormon while kids of Gay parents are denied their salvation?

- Doc