LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Research Paper: PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY AND THE
DESENSITIZATION OF MODERN SOCIETY
Submitted to Dr. Malcolm Hester
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 650
Public Theology
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Abstract
This paper focuses on exploring the negative impact of pornography on social,
psychological, and spiritual values of relationships, family, and marriage in terms of the
Biblical perspective. The paper intends to capture the adverse impacts associated with
pornography and the serious long-term psychological issues that arise due to exposure
to pornographic content for sexual arousal. The paper begins with a review of the
history of pornography, paying attention to the ancient erotica, medieval times, and the
20th century. The overall trend about the increasing popularity of porn around the
world is discussed in terms of the opportunities given by the Internet. Furthermore, the
paper presents statistics about the interaction of people with pornography, including how
men and women perceive it. Some other details about porn production and distribution
are also discussed. To better understand how pornography is viewed in society, the
paper involves legal foundations that are established in Asia, Western countries, and
Africa. While child pornography is prohibited, laws vary depending on a certain
country’s cultural and religious specifics. Based on relevant sources, the paper argues
that pornography watching leads to social desensitization, which can be traced in
families, relationships between partners, adults, and adolescents. The first argument
demonstrates that people engaged in violent porn video watching are more likely to
exercise aggressive behaviors of domination. According to the second argument, the
value of family ties decreases since spouses develop unrealistic expectations regarding
their partners. The adolescents engaged in porn video observation are prone to have
challenges with appropriate body image and self-concept perceptions. On a larger scale,
the negative spiritual outcomes of pornography refer to destructing the principles of
righteousness and gentleness, thus creating a barrier between a person and God.
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Outline
1. Introduction. In the modern world, pornography is not considered as something
extraordinary, and the industry grows rapidly. However, the issues related to its
impact on sexual behavior, relationships, and marriage appear.
2. Pornography history and modern perceptions. The statistics regarding the
pornography industry shows that it is a multi-billion area that develops rapidly. The
number of watchers tends to increase, and the time spent to watch also raises. Not
only adults, but also adolescents are engaged in this industry, while men are more
likely to spend more time for it.
3. Legal foundation in different regions: Asia, Western countries, and Africa. Many
countries lack laws that determine the production and distribution of pornography,
while the Internet pornography is legal in the majority of European countries and
the US. d d
4. Adverse impacts of pornography on society: Society desensitization.
4.1 d d d d Aggressive sexual behaviors. Violence in pornography, as well as
performances that significantly stimulate the imagination, can lead to real-life
aggression, such as rape, harassment, spanking, and other forms of
domination.
4.2 d d d d Reduced value of family: Unrealistic expectations and normality distortions.
People who watch porn videos observe thrills and incredible performances,
while they are not characteristic of the reality. As a result, spouses lose their
senses to the partners, expecting that they can also behave like in videos. It
damages spouses’ self-esteem and creates dissatisfaction.
4.3 d d d d Pornography and adolescents. Internet-enabled technology provides great
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opportunities to access pornographic websites. Considering higher sensitivity
and unformed identity of adolescents, their perception of body image, self-
concept, and special development may suffer.
4.4 d d d d Spiritual effects of pornography. When a person watches pornography, he or
she creates a wall between him or her and God. Pornography violates the
principles of righteousness, gentleness, and acceptance, which means that
sinful behaviors of lie, pretense, and aggression will be present. d
5. Conclusion. Pornography causes serious long-term psychological issues, such as
Aggressive sexual behaviors, desensitization in relationships and families, and
disconnection with God, which appear as a result of the exposure to
pornographic content for sexual arousal.
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