The document discusses the debate around whether pornography is beneficial or detrimental to society. It outlines arguments on both sides of the debate. Proponents argue that pornography can fulfill sexual desires and reduce other criminal behaviors like rape. However, critics argue that pornography can degrade perceptions of women, promote unrealistic expectations, and contribute to relationship problems. The document also notes that the pornography industry is very large and lucrative. Overall, the document explores both the potential positive and negative impacts of pornography on society.

1. Pornography: Beneficial orDetrimental?byGadSaad, Ph. D. Homo Consumericus
Pablo
B01502145
Pornography is considered a taboo among the society. This topic has become really hard
to debate due to its origin. Not many people are brave enough, or feel confident enough, to talk
about a topic related to sex. When trying to explain the Adult Industry, the approached goal might
just cause an environment of awkwardness and therefore have the speaker drop the topic.
Despite the adversities, pornography has been a very important factor in society. The globalized
Adult Industry has been able to impregnate the product in the world population. As a matter of
fact, according to Brent Conrad from Techaddiction, there is a rough estimate that 70% of the
world population has watched porn online (Conrad). GaadSaad, author of Pornography: Beneficial
or Detrimental, approaches the question whether pornography is good or bad for society. He does
conclude that there is “a positive correlation was obtained between the amount of hardcore
pornography that was viewed and the impact of the benefits reaped.”(Saad)He concludes that due
to the lack of correlation between pornography and not acceptable behavior, pornography is
therefore a good thing for society. Many professionals do disagree with this idea, yet let us discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of pornography.
In order to approach the negative effect of pornography in society, let’s refer to an
interview carried by CNN. In this interview titled Highlights Pornography's Destructive Effects on
Society?by Matthew Balan(Dines & Jeremy, 2010). This was one of the many interview where Gail
Dines, Ph. D. (author of Pornland: How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality) and Ron Jeremy (Adult
Film Industry Actor) participated in. The interview dragged an intense discussion between Gail and
Ron. By citing Gail, I will provide evidence why pornography is bad for society. Gail opens her
statement with the following: “Well, what I'm concerned about is that the level of brutality and
cruelness, in pornography's affecting the way that men think about women, and it's affecting the
way they think about themselves and the way they construct ideas about sexuality.”(Dines &
Jeremy, 2010) In some way, pornography degrades the perception we have about women. There
are certain situations in which the woman is asked to perform dehumanizing positions, some
resembling animal mating. Adding to this, they are also asking them to use objects that facilitate
sexual pleasure that might physically hurt its user. The storyplots of some movies are also too
exaggerated, causing the viewer to have a distorted idea of a man/woman when on a date. They
might expect the date to go like a typical movie (such like the one where the pizza delivery guy
goes to deliver a pizza and the costumer has no money to pay with and therefore end up paying
with sex) making them a potential threat for the date. Women who constantly watch porn can
also become aggressive and demeaning while performing the sexual act.
During the interview Gail also mentions that “there's a study out- in 2003- by the Matrimonial
Lawyers Association, that found approximately 56 percent of divorce cases involve one party in
the marriage who has an obsessive interest in pornographic websites.”(Dines & Jeremy,

2. 2010)Pornography can have a very negative impact in society therefore many will recommend not
to watch it.
In contrast to the stated, other experts consider pornography to be harmless and thus a
key, positive factor in our lives. In a paper published in 2009 in the International Journal of Law
and Psychiatry, Milton Diamond stated "Indeed, the data reported and reviewed suggests
that the thesis is myth and, if anything, there is an inverse causal relationship between an
increase in pornography and sex crimes.”(Diamond, 2009) The lack of correlation does not
link porn as being a negative aspect which might drag an individual to commit any crime
or damage another individual sexually or psychologically. Another positive aspect is that
the Adult Entertainment Industry is a top gross in industry. Sam Spencer writes in his
article “How Big is the Pornography Industry in the United States?” he states the following:
“A detailed study done by TopTenReviews, a web research company. Their study shows
that in 2005 and 2006, the United States pornography industry generated $12.62 and
$13.33 billion in revenue respectively.”(How Big is the Pornography Industry in the United
States?) Even though it is difficult to estimate the accurate statistic for the entire industry,
the Adult Entertainment Industry provides a significant amount of jobs. Satirically, this
topic is also approached by Azrael Sky in his online blog titled 5 Reasons Why Pornography
is Good for Society when he states “Pornography minimizes stalking, rape, and underage
sex.” He goes on by saying: “that pornography alleviates sexual desires. It allows people to
pleasure themselves. If that source of pleasure is no longer available, then people must
find other ways to pleasure themselves. This can lead to disaster, and an exponential
increase in predatory rape and harassment cases.”(Sky, 2007)At some point he is right,
although he exaggerates the statement. Humans tend to look for pleasure, and when
there is a lack of unaccomplished sexual desire, the subject will tend to look for pleasure
in other areas and might ended up finding it in violent acts. Gad Saad does have strong
evidence that pornography is good for society.
In my opinion I will argue that pornography is not detrimental to society. Even
though is unethical, not acceptable in society, and sort of an “upgrade for prostitution”,
until some point it does benefit the consumer and the provider of the service. The
industry is very lucrative and is an important contributor to the global economy.
Pornography also helps people who feel sexually unpleased. This, at some point, can also
help people who suffer from diminished libido. I would say, that even though I don’t find it
detrimental, pornography must be controlled and do have certain censorship. Many
countries such as Japan have censored pornography until the point where they don’t show
publicly the genitals. The Adult Entertainment Industry must have governmental
guidelines to follow in order to control the excess amount of violence or diminishing
images offered to the viewer. This way it will become somehow socially acceptable.

3. Bibliography
Conrad, B. (n.d.). Porn Addiction Stats - Pornography Addiction Statistics & Numbers -
TechAddiction. Retrieved 05 01, 2013, from Video Game Addiction Treatment:
http://www.techaddiction.ca/pornography-addiction-statistics.html
D., G. S. (n.d.). Pornography: Beneficial or Detrimental? Retrieved 05 01, 2013, from Psychology
Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/homo-consumericus/201001/porn
Diamond, M. (2009). Pornography, Public Acceptance and Sex Related Crime: A Review.
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 405.
Dines, G., & Jeremy, R. (2010, July 28). (J. Roberts, & M. Balan, Interviewers)
How Big is the Pornography Industry in the United States? (n.d.). Retrieved 05 01, 2013, from
Internet Accountability and Filtering | Covenant Eyes:
http://www.covenanteyes.com/2012/06/01/how-big-is-the-pornography-industry-in-the-
united-states/
Saad, G. (n.d.). Pornography: Beneficial or Detrimental? . Retrieved 05 01, 2013, from Psychology
Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/homo-consumericus/201001/pornography-
beneficial-or-detrimental
Sky, A. (2007, 05 21). 5 Reasons Why Pornography is Good for Society. Retrieved 05 01, 2013, from
Yahoo! Voices: http://voices.yahoo.com/5-reasons-why-pornography-good-society-
350501.html?cat=7