LETTER: Pornography hurts relations
To the editor:
In some of the past issues of the Utah Statesman, a few misconceptions of pornography and its effects have been thrown out. First, it is important to know that the body itself is not pornography, as the “Pornography is not a Drug” opinion column seemed to suggest. It is utilized in pornographic material, but the mere exposure of the body does not make it pornography. So saying nudists and artistic works represent pornography is incorrect, because the way the body is presented and the purpose is what makes the difference. The opinion article argued against the Fight the New Drug Campaign using these examples, whereas the website actually states that “nudity can be a beautiful thing in the right context,” and defines pornography as a “substantial distortion and misuse of sexuality in a way that potentially harms those who participate.”
Another important issue to address is the effect pornography has on its users and those around them. While pornography cannot kill like drugs, and may not have as many effects on the physical health of its users as the article pointed out, its psychological and social impact is profoundly negative. Research on its harmful effects is not a pseudo-science based on religious dogma – rather, numerous psychological studies have linked pornography to many problems. According to solid academic and scientific research, pornography affects the chemistry in the brain just as illicit drugs do, is correlated to severe clinical depression and has adverse effect in addicts’ relationships. Research has demonstrated that exposure to pornography decreases its user’s interest in real relationships, that 56 percent of divorces involve at least one person being addicted to porn and that it increases the marital infidelity rate by more than 300 percent. This makes complete sense: imagine how a wife or girlfriend must feel when she feels she is being compared by her significant other to some photo-shopped model or a starved actress. Imagine what an addict might expect in relationships after being exposed to unrealistic depictions of sexuality. So pornography is not just a matter of religion, it is an ill that must be fought to protect our happiness, families and society. For those who still doubt it, try a search on EBSCO or actually check out Fight the New Drugs website to find out what the website actually says.
Bradley Robinson