What's
the Harm?
-
Harm
to the User of Child Porn
Disconnection
from Reality Distortion
and perversion of personal sexuality Many
men drift into viewing underage pornography out of curiosity, the
lure of the forbidden, and/or for psychological and emotional reasons.
Carnes notes that “The Internet can provide a way to …discover unacknowledged
parts of the arousal template.” But it can also fan the spark of
a nascent interest into the flames of a fullblown obsession.
* see In the Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive Online
Sexual Behavior, by Patrick Carnes et al (Hazelden, 2001)
Pornography and sexual fantasy are often used to escape from
reality, to cope with the stresses of life. But avoiding life’s
problems ultimately leads to more, not less, stress. And coming to
believe, through child porn’s false messages, that sex between children
and adults is okay and even good, is a serious and dangerous disconnection
from reality.
Disconnection
from Normal Human Relationships
Pornography, by its nature, objectifies and dehumanizes the people
it pictures. It portrays human beings as objects, mere props for the
sexual gratification of others. The chronic porn user will inevitably
buy into that false message. This will decrease his ability to have
normal, healthy relationships with his wife, children, and others.
We all have particular things that “turn us on.” Sex expert Dr.
Patrick Carnes describes this range of attractions as our “arousal
template.” Its formation is a complicated process, involving genetics,
culture, family history, experiences (especially abusive ones) and
sexual history. Recent research shows that sex while fantasizing
with an image distorts and perverts one’s “arousal template.” Carnes
writes, “We see more and more people whose arousal templates are
being altered as a result of cybersex experiences…It’s amazing how
suggestible people can be and how quickly a previously unknown behavior
can become part of a person’s arousal template.” *
Chronic
Shame
A further harm of using child pornography is chronic shame. Many people
who look at child pornography know it is wrong and inwardly despise
themselves for viewing it. But they may feel driven by forces seemingly
beyond their control. Fortunately, recovery from child porn use is
possible. For information, click on the Getting Help tab or
here.
Risk
of Severe Legal Penalties
The United States and other nations have made prosecuting child pornography
use, distribution and production a top priority. Click on the Federal
and State Law tab or here.
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