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The Social Costs of Pornography: A Statement of Findings and Recommendations
Since the beginning of the internet age, pornography has been consumed in greater quantities than ever before in human history, and its content has grown more graphic. Recent research suggests that pornography consumption - especially consumption of a more hard-core or violent sort - has negative effects on individuals and society. More studies are necessary, but a growing body of research strongly suggests that for some users pornography can be psychologically addictive, and can negatively affect the quality of interpersonal relationships, sexual health and performance, and social expectations about sexual behavior. Widespread pornography consumption appears to pose a serious challenge to public health and to personal and familial well-being. With concerted action from legislators, the therapeutic community, educators, policymakers, and responsible corporate leaders, however, some of the negative effects of pornography consumption can be combated.
This monograph, The Social Costs of Pornography: A Statement of Findings and Recommendations, is the fruit of an inquiry begun at a consultation held in Princeton, New Jersey, in December 2008, sponsored by the Witherspoon Institute and cosponsored by the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. This consultation, which sought to estimate the social costs of pornography, was the first multifaceted, multidisciplinary, scholarly exploration in the internet age of a subject that is critically important to the health and well-being of many Americans: the hidden but real social toll of the current consumption of pornography - especially internet pornography - on an unprecedented scale.
This monograph, The Social Costs of Pornography: A Statement of Findings and Recommendations, is the fruit of an inquiry begun at a consultation held in Princeton, New Jersey, in December 2008, sponsored by the Witherspoon Institute and cosponsored by the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. This consultation, which sought to estimate the social costs of pornography, was the first multifaceted, multidisciplinary, scholarly exploration in the internet age of a subject that is critically important to the health and well-being of many Americans: the hidden but real social toll of the current consumption of pornography - especially internet pornography - on an unprecedented scale.
- GenresNonfictionSexuality
61 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 15, 2013
A very helpful and clear scientific laying out of the social costs of pornography. It details in succinct form what science has found to be the adverse effect of viewing pornography upon individuals and their relationships (and the other individuals in those relationships), as well as arguing for the quantitive and qualitative difference between online pornography and older forms. I found the moral and philosophical discussion to be lacking, but this is a scientific book - and in regards to the science it excels. The recommendations on what can be done about the problem of porn are a bit hit and miss, but they do serve as a good starting point.
At several places in the book, the authors compare themselves to the inter-disciplinary coalition which managed to turn public opinion against tobacco in the 60's. Porn consumption is a particular expression of general desires that are deeper than those that facilitates smoking. But that's an even stronger argument for responsible legislative and social action. This is - and, I hope, will be - an important book in changing the discussion about pornography in our society.
At several places in the book, the authors compare themselves to the inter-disciplinary coalition which managed to turn public opinion against tobacco in the 60's. Porn consumption is a particular expression of general desires that are deeper than those that facilitates smoking. But that's an even stronger argument for responsible legislative and social action. This is - and, I hope, will be - an important book in changing the discussion about pornography in our society.
August 18, 2021
They make some excellent points. Worth reading.
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April 13, 2022Uma análise simples e direta sobre as consequências do aumento do acesso à pornografia na sociedade. Extremamente curto, porém bem direto. Com várias fontes e estatísticas para que você possa sempre se lembrar de para onde você está caminhando cada vez que clica nessa merda.
A simple but direct analysis on the consequences of the increase of pornography access to society. With a bunch of statistics and sources so you can write them down and always remember where you're going to end every single time you click on this shit.
A simple but direct analysis on the consequences of the increase of pornography access to society. With a bunch of statistics and sources so you can write them down and always remember where you're going to end every single time you click on this shit.
October 13, 2024
I remember making a comment to another social worker a few years ago about the problems caused in society by pornography. While I know that many people don't see any problem with it, this person surprised me, as another mental health professional, when he said he didn't really think it was a problem. I mentioned this work to him.
This work is a very concise statement of social problems caused by pornography. While it's true that there are some people not negatively affected by it, or at least they don't see any negative effects, this work shows that it's still a problem. This work isn't one group of people with an agenda to make a point. Contributors to the work that is only summarized on these 60 pages include atheists and agnostics to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, "the left and the right in American politics, including social conservatism and contemporary feminism" (p.10), and economists, medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, philosophers, sociologists, journalists, lawyers, and more.
In only 60 pages they summarize eight common findings:
1. Unlike at any other time in history, pornography is now available and consumed widely in our society, due in large part to the internet. No one remains untouched by it.
2. There is abundant empirical evidence that [modern] pornography is qualitatively different from any that has gone before, in several ways: its ubiquity, the use of increasingly realistic streaming images, and the increasingly “hard-core” character of what is consumed.
3. Today’s consumption of internet pornography can harm women in particular.
4. Today’s consumption of internet pornography can harm children in particular.
5. Today’s consumption of internet pornography can harm people not immediately connected to consumers of pornography.
6. The consumption of internet pornography can harm its consumers.
7. Pornography consumption is philosophically and morally problematic.
8. The fact that not everyone is harmed by pornography does not entail that pornography should not be regulated.
There are many that think pornography is only a problem for people who follow a religion that teaches its followers that it is a problem. That was the stance of my fellow social worker (and friend). This work shows how it is not a religious problem. It's a social problem, and it is real.
This work is a very concise statement of social problems caused by pornography. While it's true that there are some people not negatively affected by it, or at least they don't see any negative effects, this work shows that it's still a problem. This work isn't one group of people with an agenda to make a point. Contributors to the work that is only summarized on these 60 pages include atheists and agnostics to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, "the left and the right in American politics, including social conservatism and contemporary feminism" (p.10), and economists, medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, philosophers, sociologists, journalists, lawyers, and more.
In only 60 pages they summarize eight common findings:
1. Unlike at any other time in history, pornography is now available and consumed widely in our society, due in large part to the internet. No one remains untouched by it.
2. There is abundant empirical evidence that [modern] pornography is qualitatively different from any that has gone before, in several ways: its ubiquity, the use of increasingly realistic streaming images, and the increasingly “hard-core” character of what is consumed.
3. Today’s consumption of internet pornography can harm women in particular.
4. Today’s consumption of internet pornography can harm children in particular.
5. Today’s consumption of internet pornography can harm people not immediately connected to consumers of pornography.
6. The consumption of internet pornography can harm its consumers.
7. Pornography consumption is philosophically and morally problematic.
8. The fact that not everyone is harmed by pornography does not entail that pornography should not be regulated.
There are many that think pornography is only a problem for people who follow a religion that teaches its followers that it is a problem. That was the stance of my fellow social worker (and friend). This work shows how it is not a religious problem. It's a social problem, and it is real.
April 25, 2022
Achei mal escrito, bem raso e deixa de lado alguns debates. Mas vale ler. O tema é importante e, mesmo sendo raso, traz vários pontos relevantes. Ai caso queira mais informações pode ver a bibliografia e ir atrás.
January 13, 2018
A research based policy proposal to limit the use of pornography in order to reduce the negative impacts on society from a well respected inter-disciplinary team.
July 28, 2019
This was required reading for my philosophy and theology course this term. We only had to read a portion for the course so today I read it in its entirety. I am thankful for the information presented here and at the same time filled with concern and a little fear. I’m grateful for the findings and recommendations and my hope that changes will be made in the coming years overcomes the fear. Everyone should read this- indeed, there are calls to action for a variety of people and professions. As a future counselor, I will keep this information in mind and hope to share the wisdom here with others.
November 23, 2022
Um resumo muito bem elaborado, fruto de pesquisas sérias, reunindo visões políticas tanto progressistas como conservadoras, pesquisadores ateus, agnósticos, judeus, cristãos e mulçumanos, todos mostrando os impactos negativos da exposição à pornografia, tanto na internet como mas mídias em geral, incluindo músicas populares.
Como professor, indico a todos, pois é possível notar como o vício em pornografia afeta a auto estima, tanto de rapazes como garotas, adolescentes, jovens ou adultos.
Como professor, indico a todos, pois é possível notar como o vício em pornografia afeta a auto estima, tanto de rapazes como garotas, adolescentes, jovens ou adultos.
February 1, 2016
Empirical evidence, thoroughly researched, interesting to read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews