Facts Versus Fears: Why Should We Worry About Pornography?

Prior to the work of the U.S. Commission on Obscenity and Pornography, the discussion of pornography necessarily had to be based on fear because there were few facts available. As a result of the Commission's work there are now data to inform the discussion. Many of our cultural myths in this area are not borne out by empirical facts. Nearly everyone in our society has been voluntarily exposed to depictions of explicit sexual activity often referred to as pornography. Initial exposure generally occurs before the end of high school; perhaps 50 percent are first exposed in junior high school. Viewing or reading sexual depictions generally produces sexual arousal but this does not necessarily eventuate in sexual activity. Sex criminals have had less experience with explicit sexual materials than have normal people. Exposure to explicit sexual materials does not pro duce bad moral character nor calloused sexual attitudes toward women. The gaining of information is perhaps the most common enduring consequence of exposure to sexual materials. But to many people these facts are irrelevant; and this poses a potential threat to our society.