Despite the prevalence of sexual objectification and its negative effects on women, the impact of pornography consumption on body dissatisfaction in women remains a subject of debate. Studies have produced mixed results on this issue, with some indicating that women who consume pornography exhibit lower body image and heightened body monitoring, while others suggest no correlation between pornography use and body dissatisfaction in women. Other studies suggest that women who view pornography report lower body image and criticism from their partners (Albright, 2008). Consequently, this has a profound effect on women's perception of their bodies, contributing to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.
Surprisingly there is research that has discovered that male adolescents who consume pornography report greater body dissatisfaction than their female counterparts (Peter & Valkenburg, 2014). In addition, both men and women who view pornography tend to experience heightened body-related concerns during intimate moments (Wiederman, 2000).
In addition, research has shown that women who perceive their partners as consumers of pornography exhibit symptoms of eating disorders, such as body fat preoccupation, extreme guilt related to eating, and purging behavior after eating (Tylka & Calogero, 2019). This suggests that pornography use may be linked to body dissatisfaction and related mental health concerns in women.
Overall, these findings highlight a clear relationship between pornography and body image that negatively affect us all in one way or another whether it be body image or mental health. The need for more research in this area is clear. By raising awareness and promoting abstinence from pornography, we can work towards a more respecting, emotionally intelligent and equitable society.
Resources
Albright, J. M. (2008). Sex in america online: An exploration of sex, marital status, and
sexual identity in internet sex seeking and its impacts. Journal of Sex Research, 45(2),
175–186. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490801987481
NCOSE, B. (2023, February 9). What do we know about pornography use among women?
NCOSE. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/what-
do-we-know-about-pornography-use-among-women/
Tylka, T. L., & Calogero, R. M. (2019). Perceptions of male partner pressure to be thin and
pornography use: Associations with eating disorder symptomatology in a community
sample of adult women. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 52(2), 189–194.
https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22991
Wiederman, M. W. (2000). Women's body image self‐consciousness during physical
intimacy with a partner. Journal of Sex Research, 37(1), 60–68.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490009552021