It is estimated that approximately 66% of men and 41% of women watch pornographic films at least once a month. Some enter the so-called pornosexuality and this prevents them, more and more often, from having genuine intimate relationships.
Last update: January 20, 2022
Relations between human beings are increasingly digitalized. This means that one no longer comes into contact with the other person through a direct experience of encounter, but through a means that acts as an intermediary. In other words, a device is increasingly found between two human beings. The age of the internet has consolidated this phenomenon, which has reached dramatic proportions. It, in turn, gave birth to another phenomenon: pornosexuality.
The use of pornography has already existed for a very long time, but new technologies have ended up making access to this content extremely easy. This has given rise to the so-called phenomenon of pornosexuality, or to a bet on pornography which becomes the pillar of individual sexuality.
We do not have totally reliable statistics on this, as for many it is a taboo subject. However, according to a study called Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated With Pornography Consumption, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 66% of men and 41% of women watch pornography at least once a month. However, it is not clear how many of these fall into the category of pornosexuality.
Pornography is to sex as McDonald's is to food. A plastic and generic version of reality.
-Gail Dines-
Pornosexuality and postmodernity
One of the most relevant traits of postmodernity is an explosion of variety in the field of sexuality. Demonstrations in this field have turned into a wide range. It is becoming increasingly clear to everyone that there are multiple ways of experiencing sexuality. all absolutely worthy of respect.
What is not entirely clear is whether pornosexuality is an option, a trend or a problem. In a literal sense, pornosexuals are those who reach the pinnacle of sexual pleasure only through pornography. They cannot experience true pleasure in any other way. They are not occasional users of three-X movies, but people for whom porn is the main point of reference for living their sexuality.
In postmodern and progressive terms, this would be nothing more than a further expression of the wide sexual variety present today. From a psychological point of view, however, one wonders if this behavior is not a way to escape from real relationships. According to this view, it is not a question of a free expression as such, but of a mechanism that conceals a problem.
Problems associated with pornography
Everything seems to suggest that there is an upward spiral in the consumption of pornographic material. You start out as an occasional spectator and then, little by little, the behavior becomes repetitive. For many there comes a time when it is possible to enjoy sexuality only through pornography. It seems that porn gradually numbs the desire and pleasure given by a real partner.
Pornography creates artificial sexual situations. This artificiality is not harmless, since it affects such important and mediating elements as expectations. Furthermore, they deprive sexuality of the contradictions typical of an authentic couple relationship. Consequently, for those who find it difficult to endure the ups and downs of intimacy, porn can become a substitute for sexual intercourse.
Pornosexuality blocks psychosexual development. To have a partner and to achieve a high level of intimacy with him or her, it is necessary to cultivate and develop social skills and psychoaffective dimensions. In many cases, the obsessive relationship with pornography prevents this evolution.
A topic not to be underestimated
Some studies claim that pornography has the potential to change the structure and functioning of the brain. This is because when you see an adult movie, strong dopamine discharges are awakened. When there is a stimulus that causes this kind of response, the risk of developing an addiction increases dramatically.
At the same time, constant exposure to pornography causes a change in the brain's reward center. This means that the more pornographic material is consumed, the less pleasure it will give. The effect is exactly the same as substance addiction: from time to time, you will need to consume that drug more and more to achieve a similar level of pleasure as previously.
The most troubling aspect is that pornosexuality deprives people of direct intimate contact with other human beings. The other person is replaced by a screen. This attitude can hide the fear of establishing genuine couple relationships, while fueling the so-called fear. And like any addictive behavior, in the long run it ends up giving rise to a well that won't be easy to get out of.
