Research and Thoughts on Pornography

I recently had a lecture in one of my classes regarding sexual media and pornography. I felt a prompting during the class to write a post about what I learned, because this information is too important not to share.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has so many valuable resources to help arm us against pornography. Yet Latter-day Saints have a stigma about pornography that isn't quite right. Pornography is shamed because its effects have scared us. But we can't let it scare us anymore! We need to be informed about the negative effects of pornography, but we also need to realize that SO many people are struggling with it. Yet it's not often that someone shares their experience of struggling through or overcoming this trial in Sunday School, Relief Society, Priesthood, or Sacrament Meeting. Why? Because of the stigma. We need to change our culture to be more understanding, accepting, loving, and helpful; to "mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort." (Mosiah 18:9) 

Pornography is everywhere. Every single person will be exposed to pornography at least once in their lifetime--so EVERYONE needs to learn how to combat it. If you don't struggle with it, your child, sibling, spouse, or friend will.

This is some of the research gathered at Brigham Young University regarding pornography use among Latter-day Saints that we talked about in class:

• Among BYU students, 35% admitted to viewing pornography in the last 12 months (Nelson et al. 2011). (This is more likely estimated to be 80%, but many are not willing to report their use.)
• These people also reported lower levels of identity development and self worth, and higher levels of depression. 
• Pornography use is rising among women.
• Religious men use pornography less than non-religious men.
• Religious men are less likely to have an addiction to pornography, but more likely to call their use an "addiction" because of the pressures and shaming in the religious culture. 
• A minority of pornography users are truly addicted to pornography: 10-15%.

So how do we combat pornography and help safeguard our families? 

• Elder Oaks has recently placed more emphasis on the use of pornography. He talks about the levels of usage and what actually constitutes an addiction--Latter-day Saints are too quick to use the term "addiction" to describe someone's struggle, which can worsen their situation and make them feel trapped. 
• Elder Oaks also gave four suggestions regarding our attitudes about pornography:
• Acknowledge the evil
• Seek the help of the Lord and His servants
• Do all that you can to avoid pornography
• Do not patronize pornography
• Use this Family Home Evening lesson to teach your family about pornography. 
• This video is a great, recent tool to teach children how to react to seeing pornography.
• Here is a helpful "Can do" motto to remember what to do if you see pornography: