The issue and impact of pornography on marriages has become more and more a theme in therapy for couples today. Jonathan McKee, a leading youth ministry expert, states in a recent blog article entitled, “The Power of Porn” that, “the headlines are so full of porn-related news because, well, so many Americans lives are full of porn…. even teens and tweens.” McKee’s article continues to site statistics on pornography use compiled by Covenant Eyes, an online enterprise seeking to serve those struggling with pornography use and addiction. The following is some of Covenant Eyes’ findings regarding this issue:
13 billion dollars a year is spent on pornography in America
20% of smart phone owners admit to having porn material on their mobile devices.
50% of all Christian men and 20% of all Christian women say that they are addicted to pornography.
The statistics are no more encouraging regarding teenagers today. 93% of boys and 62% of girls are exposed to pornographic material before their 18th birthday.
71% of teens say they feel they need to hide their online activity from their parents.
15% of boys, 9% of girls report they have viewed illegal child pornographic material online.
Only, 3% of boys and 17% girls have never seen internet pornography.
These statistics are alarming and demonstrate the accessibility of pornographic material on American families but researchers are still learning about the devastating power of porn on its users. Naomi Wolf, author and researcher describes the harmful impact of pornography in her article, “How Porn is Destroying Modern Sex Lives”. Her findings show serious problems including male impotence, decreased sexual intimacy and satisfaction in couples, and changing sex patterns in the lives of porn users. She adds that couples are having 20% less sex then they did a decade ago. Likewise, young men report progressively searching for more and more graphic and harder porn material to meet their pornography needs. Young women are reporting increasing fear of being treated like “porn stars” as intimacy is becoming more aggressive and “a normal part of courtship these days”.
Andy Stanley, pastor of Northpoint Baptist Church, in his series entitled, “The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating” adds some great insights on the porn conversation. He states, “in our culture women are often viewed, presented, talked about, and sung about like a commodity. Men who treat women like a commodity have accepted the notion that they should, “take me, use me, do what you want with me, and then discard me for another” regarding their relationships with women. When males enroll themselves in the “school of pornography” they begin to learn the lessons that a real women’s body isn’t good enough, one body isn’t good enough, and your wife’s body isn’t good enough. Frankly, checking out of the school of pornography and breaking porn addiction can save your marriage. 1 Peter 3:7 exhorts, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker vessel and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers”. Take the steps to protect your marriage from the dangers of pornography. If you are struggling with this issue and would like to take the steps to protect your marriage from pornography, PCPC has many clinicians who can assist you. Contact our office at 302 738-6859 to make an appointment to speak to a therapist.
