Internet pornography is everywhere, freely available, and often used by individuals, couples, and even families. It can be found on many devices such as phones, tablets, computers, and TVs, including smart ones.
Its effects are still debated. One argument claims that it can alter sexual desires within committed relationships. But what does this mean exactly?
Let's define committed relationship. This refers to an emotional connection between two people who live together. They may be married, engaged, dating, living together, or co-parenting children. The word 'commitment' implies trust, loyalty, exclusivity, respect, support, communication, compromise, kindness, generosity, and forgiveness. Sexual activity within these partnerships is expected to be exclusive too.
Pornography features a wide variety of participants, genres, and activities. There are heterosexual and homosexual actors, and also transgender, bisexual, interracial, and polyamorous performers. Some scenes include violence, group sex, fetishes, extreme positions, body modifications, etc. Consumers watch porn for pleasure, arousal, stress relief, curiosity, self-education, or entertainment. Porn stars offer fantasy fulfillment and role models for viewers. They show how bodies look, move, touch, respond, and react. Viewers learn about new techniques and preferences. It affects their desires, needs, fantasies, and expectations. Some seek out similarities with real life partners, while others want the opposite. Many consumers believe they are normalizing deviant behaviors and tastes.
Research shows that long-term relationships often involve familiarity, predictability, reliability, and intimacy. Couples develop routines, schedules, rituals, and habits. Intimate acts become routine and lose novelty over time. People get bored easily if things stay the same. So what happens when they add something new? What is the effect of internet porn on sexual desire in committed relationships? Let's discuss this complex issue.
Can internet pornography alter sexual desire in committed relationships?
According to a study conducted by Drew C. Potter et al. , internet pornography can significantly impact sexual desire in committed relationships due to its addictive nature. In their experiment, 126 heterosexual male participants were divided into two groups - one group was exposed to internet pornography for 90 minutes per day for four weeks while the other was not.