Sexual entertainment is any media that contains explicit or suggestive material depicting sexual behavior, such as pornography, erotica, softcore movies, and romance novels. It can be consumed regularly, and research suggests that it has an effect on people's attitudes, expectations, and moral reasoning about sex.
Let's define what I mean by "habitual" consumption. If you watch porn frequently for several hours a day or read romantic novels every night before bedtime, then you may be engaging in habitual consumption. On the other hand, if you occasionally browse through some videos on Instagram or watch a steamy movie at home, this would not qualify as habitual consumption.
Habitual consumption of sexual entertainment can impact your attitudes towards sex in many ways.
It might lead to increased tolerance for non-normative behaviors like BDSM or group sex. You may become more open to trying new things in the bedroom or experimenting with different positions.
It could make you less critical of certain types of sexual acts that are considered "taboo," such as incest or bestiality. This could also cause you to view sex as a recreational activity rather than a meaningful relationship experience.
Habitual consumption can affect your expectations during actual sexual encounters. You may start to assume that everyone wants to have frequent and rough sex like they do in the movies. Or you may feel that all women should look and behave exactly like the ones in pornography. This can create problems when you encounter real partners who don't match these unrealistic standards. Moreover, if you're constantly exposed to fantasized scenarios where everyone is highly aroused, you might struggle to recognize your own arousal levels, leading to performance anxiety or dissatisfaction with your partner.
Habitual consumption can change how you think about morality regarding sex. If you frequently consume media that portrays casual sex without consequences, you may begin to question whether monogamy is necessary or desirable. You may even develop an understanding of consent that differs from what society considers ethical.
This can lead to difficulty finding and maintaining satisfying relationships outside of the virtual world.
Habitual consumption of sexual entertainment has significant effects on our attitudes, expectations, and moral reasoning towards sex. It's important to be aware of these potential impacts so we can avoid harmful consequences for ourselves and those around us.
How does habitual consumption of sexual entertainment impact sexual attitudes, expectations, and moral reasoning?
Habitual consumption of sexual entertainment can have significant effects on an individual's sexual attitudes, expectations, and moral reasoning. Research has shown that individuals who consume large amounts of pornography may develop distorted views about what constitutes healthy or normal sex, which can result in unrealistic expectations during their own sexual encounters. This can lead to disappointment and frustration in relationships, as well as difficulty achieving orgasm or experiencing pleasure during intercourse.