Pornography is a prevalent issue in modern society, and unfortunately, it can have negative effects on marriages. A study by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that 56% of divorce cases cited one party’s excessive use of the internet as a factor in the marriage breakdown. Additionally, a study by the Institute for Family Studies found that men who consume pornography are more likely to report lower levels of marital satisfaction. While there are so many things that pornography can impact in a negative way, in this article, we will discuss how porn can hurt your marriage, and how to stop a porn addiction.
How Pornography Can Hurt Your Marriage
Unrealistic expectations: Pornography often portrays unrealistic sexual experiences, which can lead to unrealistic expectations and dissatisfaction with one’s spouse, and in the marriage. This can lead to a decrease in marital satisfaction and intimacy both in and out of the bedroom.
Decreased intimacy: Frequent use of pornography can lead to a decrease in sexual intimacy between spouses. Pornography use can shift the focus away from emotional intimacy and toward sexual gratification. For a porn user, if they are getting what they need from a third party (porn), they loose often tend to loose interest in the connection with their spouse.
Trust issues: If a spouse is consuming pornography without the knowledge or consent of the other wife (or husband), it can erode trust in the relationship. Pornography is cheating on your spouse!
Infidelity: In some cases, frequent pornography use can lead to a desire to act out fantasies or seek out other sexual partners, potentially leading to infidelity.
Emotional distance: If one spouse is consuming pornography to cope with negative emotions or stress, it can lead to emotional distance in the relationship. A spouse looking at pornography often distances themselves in the relationship due to the same and guilt they feel.
How to Stop a Porn Addiction
Acknowledge the problem: The first step in overcoming a porn addiction is to acknowledge that there is a problem. It’s important to be honest with yourself about the impact that pornography use is having on your life and relationships. Most people have a hard time doing this as they justify their porn use and think that it has (or will have) a positive affect on the relationship.
Seek professional help: Consider seeking the help of a therapist or counselor who specializes in sex addiction or compulsive behaviors. They can provide guidance and support as you work through the addiction.
Develop healthy habits: Focus on developing healthy habits that can replace the time and energy spent on pornography use. This can include exercise, hobbies, or social activities. For people that use porn, they need to stay busy and put things in place to help they reduce the desire.
Install internet filters: Install internet filters on your devices to prevent access to pornographic material. This can be helpful in creating a physical barrier between yourself and the addiction. If you don’t. have access to porn, you are going to be able to view it! this takes alot of discipline but is probably the most important thing you can do.
Join a support group: Joining a support group or attending a 12-step program like Sex Addicts Anonymous can provide you with a community of people who understand what you’re going through and can offer support and guidance. Support groups can allow you to learn from others that have overcome the problem and find support from others.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and can provide an outlet for stress and anxiety.
Pornography can have severe negative effects on marriages. It can lead to unrealistic expectations, decreased intimacy, trust issues, infidelity, and emotional distance. However, it is possible to overcome a porn addiction. By acknowledging the problem, seeking professional help, developing healthy habits, installing internet filters, joining a support group, and practicing mindfulness, it is possible to lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Check out the Ultimate Intimacy Podcast Episode 39. Porn = Poison In Your Marriage That Will Destroy All Areas Of Intimacy
Interesting Statistics About Pornography
Here are some statistics about porn use:According to a 2020 survey by the Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans believe that pornography is morally wrong.
A 2018 survey by the Barna Group found that 57% of American adults have viewed pornography at some point in their lives.
A 2020 study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics found that 65% of boys and 35% of girls aged 13 to 18 had been exposed to pornography.
According to a 2021 report by Pornhub, their website had 3.5 billion visits per month on average and 120 million daily visits.
A 2018 study published in the journal Sexual Medicine found that frequent pornography use was associated with a decrease in sexual satisfaction and an increase in sexual dysfunction in men.
A 2019 study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that frequent pornography use was associated with lower gray matter volume in certain regions of the brain.
It’s important to note that different studies use different definitions and methodologies to assess porn use, and that the data may vary across countries, age groups, and other demographics. However, these statistics show the devastating impacts that pornography has on individuals, societies and of course marriages.
Ultimate Intimacy
The Ultimate Intimacy Marriage Workbook is designed to help couples strengthen their relationship and sexual intimacy. Here are some of the benefits of the Ultimate Intimacy Sexual Intimacy Workbook:
- Improved communication: The workbook can provide couples with a structured and supportive way to communicate and express themselves to each other.
- Increased intimacy: By engaging in the exercises and activities, couples can deepen their emotional and physical connection and increase their intimacy.
- Better conflict resolution: The workbook can provide couples with strategies and tools to manage and resolve conflicts in a healthy and constructive way.
- Strengthened commitment: By working together and investing time and effort into their relationship, couples can increase their sense of commitment and dedication to each other.
- Enhanced understanding: The workbook can help couples gain a deeper understanding of each other’s needs, desires, and perspectives, leading to a more fulfilling and satisfying relationship.
The Ultimate Intimacy Marriage Workbook can be a valuable resource for couples who want to strengthen their relationship and deepen their sexual intimacy.
