Pornography, porn, explicit images and videos, risqué naked photographs and Playboy –the list goes on and on when it comes to terms related to pornography. It’s a topic we could debate all day long, and I want to share my thoughts and beliefs about it to you.
Benaiah Cheevers, Assistant Sports Editor
As a young male I have no problem testifying to the fact that I have been exposed to pornography both unwillingly and willingly. Many guys choose to view pornography because it’s easy to access in modern American society. And most men and even women who view pornography do so even though the majority has been taught not to in their moral upbringing. Wouldn’t you say that it is ethical and moral to teach a child to protect their own mental health by advising them not to view pornography? So, why does pornography continue to thrive as an industry? Did you know that the porn industry is over a billion dollar industry? In statistics provided by www.familysafemedia.com, the pornography industry worldwide generates revenue of $97.06 Billion.
I absolutely abhor the worldwide pornography industry because of the negative effects is has on both men and women in societies around the world. Pornography has been proven to cause neurological damage. In aversion toward the subject I live my life not as one who goes about saying hateful things against it, but rather doing my best to discuss in love why it is a terrible thing.
News agencies like CNN, Associated Press and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), report that Iceland is working toward banning Internet pornography. If this happens, Iceland would become the first Western democratic nation to attempt blocking pornography online. Questions regarding how to regulate this law if brought to fruition are on the minds of many people, but I wouldn’t worry about the enforcement of the law quite yet as it has yet to be written into a finalized law for a vote.
The Minnesota Public Radio published an article written by Krishnadev Calamur of NPR titled, “Iceland’s Plan To Ban Online Porn Spurs Outrage” (http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/npr.php?id=173187642). This articles states that Iceland’s government is drafting law to ban pornography both online and in print. Supporter of the ban, Interior Minister Ogmundur Jonasson, said it will protect children from harm. I absolutely agree with him. I believe pornography is simply wrong. What good has ever come from this subject?
Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D. of the Family Research Council said pornography changes both sexual attitudes and behavior. On www.frc.org/pornography-effetcs Fagan said that pornography distorts an individual’s understanding of sexual relations. According to www.levelbest.com
94 percent of Americans believe a ban on Internet pornography should be legal.
In an article on www.men.webmd.com, Martin Downs, MPH, writes about the effects of pornography on the brain. “In November 2004, a panel of experts testified before a Senate subcommittee that a product which millions of Americans consume is dangerously addictive. They were talking about pornography” (http://men.webmd.com/features/is-pornography-addictive).
So, we know despite the fact that some of us ignore it, that pornography has a negative impact on the societies that it occurs in. Even with a law, would it be effectively enforced? That question remains to be answered, but I can encourage you to raise a standard by believing for yourself why pornography is perverse and nefarious. Think about this issue. What do you believe about it?
There are many statistics about the negative effects of pornography. People could go on and on all day in arguing whether pornography is justifiable or not. I say it is not. I believe it’s unhealthy and immoral. And when simplified, I think it just comes down to the fact that the much larger portion of statistics about this issue portrays the try damage it causes.
Opinions expressed in editorial and opinion articles are the views of individual NIC students. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sentinel, North Idaho College, or any other organizations or groups there-in. North Idaho College is not responsible for the accuracy of statements or opinions shared.
