What Do You Know About Pornography?

            There are many people that fall under the temptation of pornography. There are also many who do not fully understand just what pornography, this included me until we discussed it in class this week. I learned that pornography is any medium that causes sexual arousal. It also is the attention or real effect of sexual arousal. Pornography can be found in a number of different mediums including visuals and prints—literature, music, video, images, and even the spoken word. Music, while it may not seem like it, can be pornographic in quite a few ways. These include: lyrics and instrumentals (the sound music makes).

People sometimes do not even realize that what they are reading, listening to, etc. is pornography. This is because the definition of pornography is not always known to people. In many cases it is unclear and confusing—it seems to be one thing but is actually something else entirely. Because of this, people are sometimes unaware of just what pornography is—it is often not very well defined. Many people think that they know—they assume—what pornography is when in reality it is much more than what is seems to be. They may see it as something that is not as common as it actually is, which makes it so much easier for just about anyone to get a hold of it—especially in this day and age where it is very accessible. Because of how accessible it has been made, in some places it may be normal to view or listen to pornography. This can lead to people not being aware of just how severe the consequences of pornography can be or how addictive it can become. Addictions in any form are never good because, if you let them, they can take over your life. The same thing can happen with pornography.

People are affected by pornography in different ways because everyone’s sexual attraction is different. Because of this, it is important to talk about what it is and ways that it can best be dealt with. This is especially important to do with your children because they are out in the world learning, seeing, and hearing things that you, as a parent, cannot always control—but you can help them understand what some of those things are. Along with this comes the responsibility to answer your children’s questions. One thing that I learned that is really important when raising children and teaching this principle is to teach them how bodies are sacred and they should be treated as such.

           Other important things regarding teaching children about this include: open dialogue, explanations (no short answers), staying calm, having a good and open relationship, and setting proper boundaries. These are important because pornography has a way of catching and holding people’s attention—your children need to know that you are there—ready to help—and you understand if such a thing happens to them. These things also try to ensure that your children are comfortable and understanding as well. By staying calm, you avoid creating an alarm that could cause them to remember something even more because shock reactions become implanted in the brain. Setting proper boundaries are important, but an important aspect is the explanation—why is it not okay/wrong. When teaching children anything, discussion is important because it teaches children that it is okay to talk and ask question. It plays a big role in good, open, and warm relationships; which is the kind of relationship that we should want with our children.