The article "Pornography, Normalization, and Empowerment" (Weinberg, Williams, Kleiner, Irizarry, 2010), states that "pornography is an important source through that individuals can acquire or reinforce sexual scripts” and that it is “a bigger business than professional football, basketball, and baseball combined.” In this essay, I will discuss the benefits of consuming/viewing content pornographic, such as helping to normalize certain desires, along with the risks of these actions, including mental problems, addiction and objectification of women, while I will discuss them two points of view against each other. Say no to plagiarism “Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned”? Get an original essay 46% of young men and 16% of young women aged 18-39 intentionally watch pornography in a given week (“The Brain's of Porn Addicts ', 2020) The great divide between young women and men who view pornography can be explained by the fact that "women are sexual objects and men are sexual subjects" (Gwynne, 2013). This stereotype has existed for many, many years, as the ancient Greeks celebrated the male body, while women treated it as property. This has led to the encouragement of violence against women and the endorsement of sexist and misogynistic views (Gwynne, 2013). When they insult a woman, they are usually compared to one of three things which are; food, an animal or a prostitute (lesson notes, session 1). These claims reduce women to non-human sexual beings and assert that “women are less than fully human” (Gwynne, 2013), when involved in pornographic documents. Porn can create unrealistic expectations in male performance standards and female body expectations. A 16-year-old male was mentioned in Raunch or Romance? by Clare Bale? saying that his first experience "was a bit of a shock" and was "completely different" to what he had seen in pornographic content. Women are always exposed to social pressures on how their bodies should/need to look. In 2017, 500,000 people (mostly women) underwent cosmetic surgery to achieve that better body so heavily influenced by the media, in order to become more sexually attractive (lesson notes, session 4) and that many “women feel that their value is measured by the size of their breasts” (Bishop, 2012). A 17-year-old woman said she felt her worth was associated with her sexual experience and that "every time you sleep with another person your watch goes like you're a car with a speedometer." (Bale, Raunch or romance?, 2011) These physical expectations can begin at a young age, when little girls preen before they even have them (The Rise Of RAUNCH) and continue throughout a young woman's life, feeling the "pressure be sexy” (Bale, Raunch or romance?) to those around them. There are many mental effects that can result from excessive porn use, and addiction is one of these conditions. The Reward Foundation teaches us that even three hours of porn per week can affect behavior and mood, with the addiction significantly interfering with the individual's life and life goals. Watching porn can often be used as a coping mechanism for stress in one's life person, however engaging in binge-watching or excessive indulgences can lead to negative emotions and typically even more stress. Negative feelings can arise when you break this habit. depression orfeeling flat, loneliness, anxiety and anger (The Reward Foundation, 2016). The Reward Foundation also informs us that constant overexposure to pornography can also produce changes in the brain without the individual being aware of it. Lack of commitment to one's romantic partner is related to pornography intake. This can lead to thoughts that there might be someone better around the corner, therefore preventing people from investing further in developing that relationship in real life. College-age male students find difficulty in social functioning as level of porn watched has increased . A study of Korean men in their 20s showed that they prefer using pornography to achieve and maintain sexual arousal rather than having sex with a partner (The Reward Foundation). This can then lead to further mental problems for the partner, such as feeling rejected and feeling unworthy of the partner's time regarding their sexual relationship. Despite these risks that exposure to pornography can pose, there are several benefits that can be gained from engaging in or consuming pornography. Exploring pornography is a creative way for men and women in a relationship or those who are sexually active to learn and explore new things and challenge them to spice things up and allow them to figure out what works for them as an individual. Anna Pulley's 2017 article, 9 Surprising Reasons Why You Should Watch Porn, states that "porn is one of the ways we educate ourselves about ourselves, our desires, our nos, our erections, what that delights us and that which disgusts us." ”. Pornography can be educational for people and allows them to explore and feel comfortable seeking new forms of sex safely, especially women whose sexual expression throughout history has been consistently discouraged. Pornography can give someone the “confidence to experiment with sexual behaviors they have never tried before” (Weinberg, Williams, Kleiner, Irizarry, 2010). Having such a wide variety of pornography so easily accessible also allows those who feel like they are the only ones with certain desires to normalize these aspirations and celebrate them. By making these fantasies publicized and accessible, it shows those who have these needs that “desires are legitimate” and that even if some are not as popular as others “they are out there” (Pulley, 2017). For a long time, women were labeled as nymphomaniacs if they expressed themselves sexually, however with the growth of the porn industry, a generational shift has given rise to a third wave feminism, in which "female sexuality is reinterpreted as a means of self-definition and expression”. This change had introduced a “method of empowerment for women” and that “women are free to express their sexuality” (Weinberg, Williams, Kleiner, Irizarry, 2010). are freer to express their sexuality, Bale states that during an interview with high school students, "none of the young women raised the issue of feeling pressured to be sexy" (Bale, Raunch or Romance?, 2011 ) This may show us that by feeling comfortable in their sexuality and sexual behaviors, young women are becoming more confident in their bodies and decreasing their sense of being sexy and meeting social standards of beauty. Pornography can be used as an educational aid for those who are curious and want to learn more or even for teenagers who attend schools that do not necessarily have a program of./
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