Effects of Pornography on Relationships
Viewing sexually explicit content or “pornography” has become increasingly commonplace (Price et al., 2016). Research indicates that 46% of adult men and 16% of women intentionally view pornography in an average week (Regenerus, Gordon, & Price, 2016). Many individuals never anticipate or expect that viewing pornography will negatively influence their lives. Yet, usage often significantly impacts the user as well as his or her family, workplace, and community (Camilleri et al., 2021; Fight the New Drug, 2023; Park et al., 2018). The couple relationship, in particular, often feels the negative effects of pornography. While some research has found that pornography use as a couple can potentially have some positive outcomes, such as a willingness to try new sexual behaviors or increased sexual intimacy (Grov, Gillespie, Royce & Leve, 2011; Huntington et al., 2021; Willoughby & Leonhardt, 2020), the same research--and others--have found far more potential negative impacts...