Porn, what's the issue

Pornography

These days it seems like porn is everywhere. It’s easy to access and you can stumble across it even if you weren't looking for it in the first place!

A lot of young people look at porn because they find it exciting, and a way of turning them and their partners on!

But while it may seem exciting, porn is not reality and may not always have a positive impact on your sexual experiences or relationships. Porn can distort what you think sex will be like, how men and women should act sexually, and how they should look.

Keep in mind:

• porn does not always show safe sex. Porn can often show people engaging in unsafe behaviours such as not using a condom and having sex with multiple people.
• porn stars don’t look like most people. Porn performers do all sorts of things to make their bodies look desirable, like waxing, Botox, weight-lifting, diets and in some cases, even having surgery. In reality people come in all different shapes and sizes.
• remember that porn is a performance. In reality, having sex with someone you care about and are attracted to, does not have to be a performance for anyone. Porn actors are often doing just that – acting! Sex should feel good for both you and your partner.
• sex can be meaningful and can be so much better than what you see in porn! It may seem like sex is just something a person does with anyone, at any time but for a lot of people, sexual relationships are special and are a way to feel intimate with another person.
• some porn contains violence, or shows sexual partners in unequal positions of power. Remember that the key to healthy and enjoyable relationships is mutual respect.

So what now? It’s very common for people to use porn. However remember that you don’t have to view it if you don’t want. Don’t let what you see in porn shape your choices about what you are/aren’t into. Make those decisions for yourself and remember to always be safe!

For more information on this, head to the It's time we talked website (external site)