Sexual expression is an important part of the human experience, but debates still rage about the articulation of that expression in images or in literature. In recent years, advocates from the right and left have called for greater censorship, often citing studies or data to bolster their case.
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Fact Checked
Pornographic material is often a scapegoat for a variety of antisocial behavior displayed in teen boys and men in particular. Primarily conservative rhetoric similarly posits pornography, especially used by teens and straight married men, is especially detrimental to brain development, physiology, and the ability to relate to others intimately.
Many people choose to work in the adult industry in a variety of ways that are legal, consenting, and informed, including the making of adult visual content. While the adult industry is subject to harm and exploitation just like any other industry, pornography is a legal and frequently accessed mechanism for women and gender-expansive people to participate in the economy and earn a living.
For over a decade, pundits, legislators, and campaigners have argued that viewing porn leads to erectile dysfunction or difficulty achieving orgasm. Associations between porn use and sexual desire, erection, and ejaculation are inconsistent and limited, with no indication of causation.
Fears about children and teens being over exposed to sexual content have increased as social media and online pornography have become more accessible. Many of these fears are grounded in a panic over excessive or compulsive access, but there is a lack of research to suggest this is true. While minors sometimes stumble upon porn accidentally, and other minors do seek out sexual material intentionally, studies have not shown that encountering explicit content led to increased or compulsive access.
Pornography is often blamed for causing, instigating, or inspiring violence in (especially) men against (mainly) women. However, studies used to demonstrate causation consistently fail to establish any direct links.