The Pro & Cons of Porn
“Porn” can have a bad rep, yet it’s that little secretive word that we all know about and most have watched but will strongly deny admitting so in fear of embarrassment or judgement.
There’s no denying however that porn has taken over the internet world, with 70% of men aged 18-24 watching it at least once a month, one third of visitors being women and strikingly, Sunday is the most popular day to watch it! Not a day for rest after all.
I want to dig in to what I believe are the pros and cons of porn, and I would love to hear what you think too!
Pros
It teaches you new sexual techniques
According to a UK study back in 2019, out of 1000 people 55% of men and 34% of women felt that porn was their ‘go-to’ place to learn sexual positions and acts. There’s no denying that you can learn what there is to know about different sex positions. It’s a fountain of knowledge that can aid you when wanting to please your partner or yourself!
It can spice up your relationship
Porn can be seen as cheating but not if you both consent to it, especially if you watch it together! When you both share the experience it can be a massive turn on and when you don’t keep secrets it can strengthen your relationship and trust. They say the best lovers masturbate together!
It’s an encyclopaedia for learning about sex toys
Unless you’re really open to talking about sex with your friends, it’s hard to know what’s out there and how they’re used. The industry has been growing rapidly over the past few years so your average sex toys manufacturer has made sure to never run out of fresh designs and ideas. Porn can show the products in action which may or may not float your boat. This does however show someone already trying the product before you commit to buying a sex toy, what’s not to like?
It’s a great stress relief
Life can be challenging at times and we all could do with a release (no pun intended).
When we’re stressed our brain releases cortisol which blocks problem-solving abilities or thinking clearly. Studies have shown that watching porn has reduced the creation of cortisol by a whopping 50%! We all deserve a distraction to the day-to-day slug, so why not sex?
It’s a great method for masturbation
Nearly all of us “do it”, and odds are many do when watching porn. It’s like adding chutney to cheese - It can be a perfect combination. We have a lot to thank masturbation for - Stress relief, personal exploration, taking responsibility for your own sexual needs and learning how to arouse your partner better.
Cons
Unrealistic views surrounding body type
I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the most common problems with porn sites. It’s argued that porn can portray people's bodies in a light where you’ve got to be thin but busty or have a six pack and well hung to be deemed attractive. We know that we all come in different shapes and sizes and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but porn sites can damage our self esteem if we already doubt how we look.
Becoming addicted
It is true that too much of a good thing can do some harm! Porn addiction can lead to many troubling issues such as difficulty in getting aroused, marriage breakdowns as a result of porn addiction, mental health issues and quite simply prioritising porn over daily life. 35% of all internet downloads is porn, which speaks for itself!
It can cause relationship problems
If you pick porn over being intimate with your partner, then please read the con above!
For some, porn can be viewed as demeaning and can cause trust issues if your partner is not on board. Lying or hiding the fact you watch porn can make people feel jealous, insecure and uncomfortable.
People under 18 are being exposed to porn
I’ll put money on the fact that the majority of you reading this was exposed to a porn site or pornographic images before you were 18. When we’re teenagers we think it’s our god given right to break rules and do things that we’re not supposed to, and porn is one of them. This can be detrimental to their perception of what sex is and how it’s performed. With some very aggressive behaviour that can be on show, this can lead men and women down the wrong path.
Thanks for reading and I welcome your comments and any additions that I might have missed!