Pornography is a Toxic in Marriage Essay Example

especially women. The presence of a partner's creation, an unrealistic "fantasy girl," leads to feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Pornography promotes a sexual gaze that revolves around idealized fantasies tailored to the viewer's desires. Women in pornography are objectified and valued solely for their ability to satisfy the viewer's pleasure. They are expected to conform to society's beauty standards, which often prioritize thinness or curvaceousness, as well as a small waist and an average-to-large bust size.

Certain men have their own preferential "fantasy women" they dream of having intercourse with, causing women to feel inferior and unable to compete with these idealized figures. This often leads women to condemn themselves, believing they are not good enough for their spouse.

According to Smith (2015), women frequently hold themselves responsible for their husband's use of pornography, feeling inadequate in multiple ways. They think that if they looked different, such as losing weight, having blonde hair, being sexy, wearing nicer clothes, or conforming to society's preferred size, they would not be criticized. Women feel compelled to alter themselves when around their partners, desiring to fulfill their partner's expectations during sexual activity. Regrettably, this lack of self-confidence can also lead to additional mental health issues like heightened depression levels, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.

Women often face situations involving loneliness and emotional distress when their husbands are addicted to pornography instead of engaging in sexual intercourse with them. The revelation of their husbands' hidden pornography use can lead to psychological problems, as stated by Skinner (2014) who found that 84% of women reported feeling emotionally unstable after discovering this behavior. This emotional turmoil can be exacerbated by anxiety and depression during sexual

encounters, as women may feel inadequate for their spouses. Women also expressed negative emotions towards their partners' pornography consumption, describing it as devastating, bewildering, and unfathomable. Dealing with low self-esteem is already challenging, but having it easily shattered within a marriage makes it even more difficult to cope with. Thus, maintaining a healthy self-esteem becomes crucial in preserving a harmonious relationship since pornography has the potential to undermine it easily.

Additionally, the act of watching pornography has the potential to diminish commitment in a relationship for both partners. This can happen when individuals are exposed to material that encourages engaging in sexual encounters with multiple people. Consequently, it may generate fantasies and cravings within one's partner, indirectly affecting the level of dedication present in their bond.

According to Matthew (5-28) in the bible, adultery involves more than just engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage. It also encompasses fantasizing about being intimate with someone other than one's spouse. This behavior often makes women feel betrayed as it feels like another person is entering the marriage. Furthermore, viewing pornography serves as a reminder of other potential sexual partners, which can lessen the dedication to one's spouse. Additionally, the easy accessibility of pornography can lead husbands to neglect their responsibilities by spending excessive time watching it.

The accessibility, affordability, and anonymity of Internet pornography have led to an increase in its consumption since 1995. For adults, the Internet has become the primary source of pornographic content. However, this behavior can be viewed as neglecting one's partner and their responsibilities towards them. Instead of focusing on their phone and consuming pornography, individuals should prioritize giving attention to their partners. This lack

of attention can emotionally burden the partner who feels neglected. According to Wesley (2013), witnessing a spouse satisfying their lust through porn can be heart-wrenching for a spouse.

Exposure to pornography by one partner can lead to suspicion and uncertainty in the other partner. If commitment is broken in a marriage, attempting to maintain it becomes pointless as everything starts with commitment. Betrayal of trust makes it challenging for people to stay together and find happiness. The resulting emotional anguish frequently leads to divorce, particularly when the husband refuses fulfilling sexual activity.

The introduction of pornography in a marriage diminishes commitment, leading to the potential drift and eventual abandonment of relationships. Emotions lose their meaning in this context, making commitment an essential factor before entering into a marriage. The harmful impact of pornography on both partners causes immense suffering.

One of the consequences of pornography on marriage is the decrease in relationship and sexual satisfaction. Pornographic content that depicts aggressive sexual conduct promotes sexual violence by providing instructions on harming partners. As a result, men often view violence against their partners as a means of demonstrating "masculinity" and develop a hostile attitude towards them.

According to Mcneil (2015), men have a higher tendency than women to access pornography, leading to dominant and aggressive behavior that may serve as a form of torture. In 2016, the American Psychology Association conducted studies which found that excessive consumption of pornography is associated with a greater likelihood of divorce. The research revealed that married men addicted to pornography had a 6-11% chance of experiencing divorce within the next four years.

One factor contributing to this outcome is that the non-porn user partner in a

monogamous relationship may experience emotional distress when their partner consumes pornography, as it is perceived as a form of infidelity. Infidelity can have significant emotional and physical repercussions for some partners, making it challenging to handle. Moreover, excessive pornography consumption can adversely affect the relationship and sexual gratification due to potential sexual problems. These issues may include difficulties like erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, and anorgasmia when individuals engage in masturbation while watching pornographic material. These challenges result in reduced satisfaction for the partner and can cause suffering for the spouse. Ultimately, pornography increases the likelihood of divorce, contributes to sexual dysfunction and violence, and leads to a decrease in both relationship and sexual gratification.