“Porn kills love” reads a popular t-shirt sold by Fight the New Drug (FTND), a non-profit that educates youth about the harms of consuming pornography. The t-shirt seeks to combat a popular myth that watching porn can “spice up” relationships. Research indicates that it does the opposite. Consuming porn creates unrealistic expectations about everything from body shape to the intensity of sexual experience to the willingness of a sexual partner to participate in certain acts.
According to the FTND website, research shows that people who consume porn tend to become less satisfied in their relationships, less committed to their partner, and more accepting of cheating.
Ultimately, research showed that people who never viewed pornography had higher relationship quality. This was true on every measure. In contrast, those who viewed pornography alone reported lower relationship quality.
Not only that, but some consumers become unsatisfied with the digital images, and if their partner won’t participate in those acts, the consumer may seek out someone who can’t say “no” – a victim of sex trafficking. Research indicates that consuming pornography creates demand for commercial sex.
The porn industry creates problems not only for its consumers, but for its performers. Many performers are coerced into the porn industry, and forced to perform acts that they didn’t consent to.
As we celebrate this season of love, remember that a digital image can never replace true intimacy with someone special in your life.