One such study reviewed the differences between men who view pornography and those that don't. The study eventually found that "men who viewed pornography, report a greater likelihood of raping, committing sexual assault, higher rape myth acceptance, lower willingness to intervene in a sexual assault situation, and lower efficacy to intervene in a sexual assault situation". (Foubert) Men who view pornography desensitize themselves to the fact that a woman is not an object. They eventually become willing to do anything for a little bit of pleasure, no matter who it hurts.
Another study was performed to find how men reacted to different genres of entertainment. While drama and comedy did not seem to solicit negative results, sports, pornography, music videos, and even reality TV produced violent and objectifying results. These forms of entertainment in one way or another tend to objectify women, whether in the show itself or in the commercials. These findings indicated that "exposure to sexually objectifying media is associated with greater endorsement of attitudes and behaviors supportive of sexual violence toward women". (Seabrook) Again we see that men who view anything, be it porn or even just certain commercials, are likely to become more violent and careless around women.
The fact is that because of pornographic material, men have conditioned themselves to see women as less than human. Think about it. They are viewing someone else's body in the way a child views a cotton candy maker. All that is on their mind is temporary pleasure. The woman's body is no longer hers. It is now an object to bring men carnal joy.
But are men the only ones to blame? It is their actions we're discussing here, after all. Men, believe it or not, have the ability to choose how they act around a woman. But put into consideration the female porn stars, exotic dancers, and prostitutes. They are willingly selling their bodies to men. Seriously, are there no better ways to make money? It's mind boggling going onto Facebook and seeing your feminist friends supporting such occupations. "It's the only way she can make money" is their mantra. No it's not! One journalist put it this way: "Feminists have often misunderstood sexual prohibition. I am not advocating a return to the days of hiding female sexuality, but I am noting that the power and charge of sex are maintained when there is some sacredness to it". (Wolf) Although it is definitely men's actions that are the problem in today's society, there are women out there, possibly unknowingly, promoting rape culture. This just makes it more difficult for men to keep their hands to themselves.
Works Cited
Foubert, John D., et
al. “Pornography Viewing among Fraternity Men: Effects on
Bystander Intervention, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Behavioral Intent to
Commit Sexual Assault." Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, vol. 18, no. 4,
October 2011, pp. 212-231.
Seabrook, Rita C.,
et al. “Less than Human? Media Use, Objectification of
Women, and Men's Acceptance of Sexual Aggression." Psychology of
Violence, May 2018.
Wolf, Naomi. “The
Trouble with Porn .” Times, The (United Kingdom), Apr.
2009, p. 7-8.
