A Look at the Facts: Pornography's Effect on Adolescent Males

A Look at the Facts: Pornography's Effect on Adolescent Males

Is it 'just' a Little Porn?

Pornography is nothing new to society; there have been depictions of human sex acts far back into history. Greek representations, for example, depict people engaging in sexual activity with both men and women, even animals--something which the majority of contemporaneous cultures consider unacceptable. Artists throughout history have also depicted sexuality and the human body in its natural form. However, there is a distinction between art and pornography that can sometimes be difficult to make. The true distinction, it seems, is made in the mind of the person who observes a sexual representation. For the sake of this paper, a widely accepted definition of "pornography" as opposed to art would be most suited. Generally, pornography is a portrayal of the human body, of sexual behavior, or of an object with apparent sexual connotations for the express purpose of sexual arousal. Following this idea of what pornography "is", ancient (and many artistic) portrayals of human sexuality cannot be considered pornography as such. In the case of the Greeks, these were simply depictions of the reality of their society. Taboos in existence today (such as intercourse with animals) were not in place then. This is not to say that pornography of sorts didn't exist, but the major difference between today's porn and the porn of the past is accessibility and presentation. Research strongly indicates that the pornography has a negative effect on both adults and adolescents. What is the nature of today's pornography? Is it accessible to our children? Finally, how is it harmful to today's youth, especially males?

Over the past few years a disturbing mentality that has become more and more prevalent in American society. Sex is no longer viewed as a thing of beauty or closeness, but more as a commodity to be attained, coerced, or bartered for by any means necessary. This loss of mutuality,...