Now that porn is very easily available and is already a multi- billion dollar industry, Pornography or even talking about it isn’t a taboo; but there is still an uncomfortable air that accompanies it.
While for some Porn may be disgusting, others may question, “Porn -why not?”
“If you ask me, no, watching pornography is not unhealthy,”says Dr. Anirudhha Malpani, a well-known Fertility Specialist. “The fact of the matter is that we all have sexual urges which are perfectly normal. There are multiple ways to express them and watching porn is one of them. The only problem is the guilt associated with watching porn. This guilt is the cause of most of the problems.”
So, the question whether watching pornography is healthy or not depends on who sees it and what pupose it serves.
But why Porn?
- Sexual release- Everyone has biological needs and watching porn is like expressing one's sexual urge which in turn is better than suppressing it.
- Curiosity- Since sex is not easily discussed, there is a lot of curiosity that arises and pornography satisfies it. It also satisfies our peeping- tom nature.
- To spice things up- Sex can become a routine sometimes, while, watching porn spices things up.
- Visual stimulation- Watching sex can be very stimulating. It would arouse and can also act as an aphrodisiac.
- Escapism- The situations shown in pornographic films can fulfill fantasies and provide an escape for a few moments. It also helps to release stress and sexual frustration.
The Inhibitions:
- “There is still a moralistic attitude towards sex” believes Dr. Malpani. “It is a typical chicken and egg problem. It is seen that criminals and sex offenders watch porn. Then, porn is seen as the reason for their behavior but actually it is the other way around".
- There will always be incest, underage and violent sex depicted in porn. When people cannot distinguish between reality and fiction, they become sexual deviants.
- Since porn is so readily available on the net, there is always a fear of exposing children to the mature, adult content.
- Pornography is really addictive, for some, watching porn can become compulsive.
- “Sex is very crudely depicted in porn. There is a lot of artificiality involved also, like the organs depicted are very big in size. People then start having complexes when they compare their own organs with it” exclaims Sexologist Dr. Hitesh Shah.
There still is thin line between healthy and unhealthy Pornography. Pornography can easily become a compulsion. “Many people come to me for treatment after being addicted to watching sex on the internet” says Dr. Hitesh Shah. “I think fantasy is always a better option compared to porn, when you can fantasize there is no need for pornography” Dr. Shah adds.
When is Porn healthy?
- When you watch it as a sexual release.
- When there is a healthy curiosity.
- When you watch it along with your partner or when consenting adults are involved
- When it is used as a medium to release stress.
When is Porn unhealthy?
- When porn has taken control over your life.
- When you prefer porn over your partner.
- When porn is all you think of.
- When you cannot distinguish between reality and fiction
Conclusion: Watching pornography is not bad as long as you know it is not the ‘real thing’ and you don’t replace it with the ‘real thing’!
