Sexual entertainment includes films, books, websites, magazines, and media that depict sexual activity for artistic, educational, or commercial purposes. They may feature romantic and emotional elements but are primarily designed to excite and titillate viewers/readers. Viewing them can affect our attitudes towards sex and relationships, especially if we consume them frequently. This essay discusses the impact of sexual entertainment on moral reasoning and sexual expectations.
Research suggests that frequent consumption of sexual entertainment can shape how we perceive sex and relationships.
It can make us more accepting of nontraditional practices like threesomes, BDSM, and swinging. It can also normalize promiscuous behavior, such as casual hookups and extramarital affairs. These shifts can occur subconsciously through repeated exposure to explicit material that rewires brain circuits related to sexual arousal.
Consumption of sexual entertainment has implications for our values and ethics. We tend to judge others based on their actions, but this can lead to confusion and hypocrisy when we partake in activities we would condemn in real life. It is difficult to distinguish between fiction and reality, so what we see on screen may seem acceptable despite being unethical in person.
Pornography often objectifies women and portrays aggressive behavior that could be harmful in actual intimacy. Therefore, watching too much of it can desensitize us to these issues.
Our sexual expectations can become distorted by what we watch.
Men who regularly view pornography may develop an unrealistic idea of female pleasure and performance that leads to disappointment or dissatisfaction with their partners. Women may seek out similar experiences to those they see online, which can strain relationships.
Some people may believe that certain acts are commonplace even if they rarely occur outside the media.
Sexual entertainment can influence how we approach sex and relationships, both positively and negatively.
Consuming it responsibly requires self-awareness, reflection, and critical thinking about its impact on personal beliefs and behaviors. By understanding the effects of media consumption, we can make informed decisions about what content we engage with and why.
How does consumption of sexual entertainment influence moral reasoning and sexual expectations?
A 2014 study found that exposure to pornography was associated with participants having more favorable attitudes towards casual sex than those who were not exposed to it (Bergner et al. , 2014). The study did not find any association between pornography consumption and sexual satisfaction.