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The Heritage Foundation, 11/9/05
Hearing on Pornography's Impact on Marriage & The Family
by Jill C. Manning
Testimony Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights
Commitee on Judiciary, United States Senate, November 9, 2005.
Thank you Senator Brownback, Senator Feingold and distinguished
members of the Sub-Committee;
I appreciate this opportunity to address you.
Since the advent of the Internet, the pornography industry has profited from an
unprecedented proximity to the home, work and school environments. Consequently, couples,
families, and individuals of all ages are being impacted by pornography in new and
often devastating ways.
Although many parents work diligently to protect their family from sexually explicit
material, research funded by Congress has shown Internet pornography to be “very
intrusive.”
Additionally, we know that a variety of fraudulent, illegal and unethical practices are
used to attract new customers and eroticize attitudes that undermine public health and
safety. This profit-driven assault jeopardizes the well-being of our youth and violates
the privacy of those who wish not to be exposed.
Leading experts in the field of sexual addictions contend on-line
sexual activity is “a hidden public health hazard exploding, in part because very few
are recognizing it as such or taking it seriously.”
Research reveals many systemic effects of
Internet pornography that are undermining an already vulnerable culture of marriage and
family. Even more disturbing is the fact that the first Internet generations have not
reached full-maturity, so the upper-limits of this impact have yet to be realized.
Furthermore, the numerous negative effects research point to are extremely difficult, if
not impossible, for individual citizens or families to combat on their own.
This testimony is not rooted in anecdotal
accounts or personal views, but rather in findings from studies published in peer-reviewed
research journals. I have submitted a review of this research to the Committee, and
request that it be included in the record.
The marital relationship is a logical point of impact to examine
because it is the foundational family unit and a sexual union easily destabilized by
sexual influences outside the marital contract. Moreover, research indicates the majority
of Internet users are married and the majority seeking help for problematic sexual
behaviour online are married, heterosexual males. The research indicates pornography
consumption is associated with the following six trends, among others:
- Increased
marital distress, and risk of separation and divorce,
- Decreased
marital intimacy and sexual satisfaction,
- Infidelity
- Increased
appetite for more graphic types of pornography and sexual activity associated with
abusive, illegal or unsafe practices,
- Devaluation of
monogamy, marriage and child rearing,
- An increasing number of people struggling with compulsive and
addictive sexual behaviour.
These trends reflect a cluster of symptoms that undermine the
foundation upon which successful marriages and families are established.
While
the marital bond may be the most vulnerable relationship to Internet pornography, children
and adolescents are the most vulnerable audience.
When a child lives in a home where an adult is consuming pornography,
he or she encounters the following four risks:
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Decreased parental time and attention
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Increased risk of encountering pornographic material
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Increased risk of parental separation and divorce and
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Increased risk of parental job loss and financial strain
When a child or adolescent is directly exposed the following effects
have been documented:
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Lasting negative or traumatic emotional responses,
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Earlier onset of first sexual intercourse, thereby increasing the risk
of STD’s over the lifespan,
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The belief that superior sexual satisfaction is attainable without
having affection for one’s partner, thereby reinforcing the commoditization of sex and
the objectification of humans.
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The belief that being married or having a family are unattractive
prospects;
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Increased risk for developing sexual compulsions and addictive
behavior,
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Increased risk of exposure to incorrect information about human
sexuality long before a minor is able to contextualize this information in ways an adult
brain could.
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And, overestimating the prevalence of less common practices (e.g.,
group sex, bestiality, or sadomasochistic activity).
Because the United States is ranked among
the top producers and consumers of pornography globally, the federal government has a
unique opportunity to take a lead in addressing this issue and the related harm.
This leadership could unfold in a variety
of ways. For example, through:
- Educating the public about the risks of
pornography consumption,
- Supporting research that examines
aspects of Internet pornography currently unknown,
- Allocating resources to enforce laws
already in place, and lastly,
- Legally implement technological
solutions that separate Internet content, allowing consumers to choose the type of legal
content they wish to have access to.
In closing, I am convinced Internet pornography is grooming young
generations of Americans in such a way that their chances of enjoying healthy and enduring
relationships are handicapped. I hope this committee will carefully consider measures to
reduce the harm associated with Internet pornography.
I thank the Committee for this opportunity to testify and welcome
your questions at this time.
The views expressed in this testimony are those of Jill Manning,
M.S., and should not be construed as representing any official position of The Heritage
Foundation.
Cooper,
A., Delmonico, D. L., Burg, R. (2000). Cybersex users, abusers, and compulsives: New
findings and implications. Sexual Addictions Compulsivities, 7, 5-29.
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