Women and Porn

“I felt trapped and alone… People don’t see what it does in the hearts and minds of those that it affects. They don’t see what it does inside the homes and relationships of those that it holds captive. They don’t see the lives that it ruins.” 

In the past, pornography and masturbation have been framed as male issues, leaving many women feeling isolated in the struggle against pornography. The reality is that 62.1% of women have seen pornography before the age of 18[1], and 17% struggle with it.[2]

Pornography is far from harmless. There is nothing normal or healthy about it. It alters the brain, normalizes sexual violence, and sets unrealistic expectations. Even so-called “ethical” pornography hurts the people who use it and often continues to exploit the people involved in producing it. [3]

A growing number of young people are saying no to pornography and there are a lot of good reasons to join the movement:

1. Your mind matters.
Pornography changes your brain. It is addictive, decreases sensitivity to pleasure,[4] and reduces frontal brain matter.[5] It has also been found to decrease self-control6 and it’s harmful to the mental health of those who use it.[7],[8]

2. Your time is valuable.
47% of pornography users reported consuming pornography for 30 minutes to three hours per day.[9] In one year, that can add up to over a thousand hours. Unsurprisingly, 30% of users reported that their work performance suffered because of their pornography use.[10]

3. Pornography sets unrealistic body standards.
Pornography use worsens body image and decreases self-esteem.[11] What makes you truly beautiful and attractive is your intelligence, personality, and your natural body. The pornography industry treats women as sex objects, valuing them only for their bodies while setting completely unrealistic standards. 

4. Pornography normalizes objectification
and sexual violence.
The pornography industry profits from abuse and exploitation[12] fuels sex trafficking,[13] and portrays sexual violence as normal. A team of researchers found that 88% of the scenes in the most popular pornography films contained physical violence and 49% contained verbal attacks.[14] No one should ever treat you like that, especially not in a vulnerable situation. Degrading women isn’t sexy, and it certainly isn’t love.

5. Your relationships are healthier without it.
Pornography use decreases relationship satisfaction[15] and commitment to one’s partner,[16] as well as dramatically increasing the likelihood of divorce.[17] Your current and future relationships will be much healthier without pornography!

“I ran to pornography whenever I was lonely, but it only breeds loneliness. It also became a crutch if I was ever bored, disappointed, or angry with myself.” 

If you are struggling, seek real help from health professionals. For more information and testimonies from young women like you, click the button below: