Touchy subject. Pornography. Need advice.

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Replies

  • iamanadult
    iamanadult Posts: 709 Member
    I can definitely see how this would be a touchy subject.
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member
    I'm just curious, where is the line drawn between your partner wanting to try new things they've seen in porn and projecting "porn standards" onto you? what are these aforementioned "porn standards"? this is a genuine question.

    Piledriver DP while loudly singing the German National Anthem.

    I think that's a real porn. :laugh:

    yeah, I'm not that creative lol.
  • liesevanlingen
    liesevanlingen Posts: 508 Member
    All men and some women enjoy watching and looking at pornographic images.

    I am loathe to enter this "discussion" except to say that the casual way in which both men and women advert to simple stereotypes is annoying. "All men" do not enjoy anything, any more than "all women" or all African Americans or all First Immigrants.

    Exactly!
  • kellenas
    kellenas Posts: 154
    Perhaps some men don't look at it because they know it's hurtful to their SO. This happens as well. It doesn't mean that "they're not allowed to," it just means that their SO's feelings are more important than getting their visual fix.

    The only reason it is hurtful is because one lets it be hurtful...and that's usually in play with insecurity issues.

    ok, so if you're SO cheated on you and it hurt you, it's just your insecurities? I mean, it's only hurtful because you let it be hurtful. All I'm saying is that some people do view porn watching as cheating. It's lusting after someone (although, usually unattainable) other than your SO. Not everyone views porn watching the same. To each his own.

    Umm...your SO cheating on you is different from watching porn. I hope you understand that.

    I don't think you read my entire post. I said that SOME people view watching porn as cheating.
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    In my opinion, porn sets unrealistic expectations for relationships. I'm not doing that stuff and no one is paying me to. I agree that a couple needs to have the same moral grounds. If the OP is not comfortable with it then she isn't. That's how she feels. No one can tell anyone else how to feel!!

    In my opinion, romantic films set unrealistic expectations for relationships. So if a guy isn't comfortable with chick flicks, can he rightfully ban them if the girl sets out to ban porn?

    I hope so because this is a relationship, right? Equals and all that stuff.


    word.
  • calibriintx
    calibriintx Posts: 1,741 Member
    It may come as a shock to some people, but there are many others out there who do not like porn and do not use it. There are also people who, for the sake of their SOs, keep a simple promise. This isn't about porn or not enough sex, it's about two incompatible views and a broken promise. And apparently also an ex from a year ago. Perhaps it's time to find someone who shares your views, instead of half-heartedly sort of putting up with them.

    Really? So you have never promised yourself something, then broke it? The ex this is bad and yeah, if she doesn't like him viewing porn, then maybe she should find someone else. Good luck finding a guy that fits all of your criteria and also doesn't view porn.

    All my criteria?? I mentioned not liking porn, keeps promises and maybe indirectly I mentioned doesn't mess around with his exes. That bar isn't set very high off the ground. Lol

    It's interesting to me that people are telling her to get comfortable with it, accept it without question and even join in when she doesnt want to, but are totally shocked that she would dare ask him to be comfortable without it.

    Like I said, incompatible. If it's a deal breaker, break the deal because he has already proven he's unlikely to stop, especially with so many people cheering him on.

    She's the one with the problem. Sure, he shouldn't have agreed to no porn if he wanted to watch porn, but it's ultimately her problem. She can either make an attempt to be cool with it, or she can break up with him. You're absolutely right about incompatibility, but if they're going to try to work it out, she's the one who is going to have to try to change. Sounds like he either tried and doesn't want to or maybe he never tried and just agreed to stay away to avoid a fight. So OP needs to decide if A. she wants to be with a guy who will agree to things that will either make him unhappy and ultimately he'll fail, or he has no intention of doing in the first place. and B. she can get on board with porn. If the answer to either of those is "no" then she has her answer.
  • calibriintx
    calibriintx Posts: 1,741 Member
    I can definitely see how this would be a touchy subject.

    I see what you did there.:wink:
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member

    ... it can honestly sometimes corrode the viewer's perception of sex and intimacy in general.

    Agreed.
  • Laura_Ivy
    Laura_Ivy Posts: 555 Member
    So what if he watches porn? Doesn't hurt you, doesn't replace you, so what? No problem. I'd be offended and insulted if I were him and you tried to make him "promise" not to look at porn. Porn is, in my opinion, boring and uninteresting, but no harm to you.

    No doubt I'll get a bunch of backlash for this, but I'm surprised that so many here don't see pornography as harmful to relationships. My husband is a marriage counselor. The problems he sees couples for are 1. Infidelity (either partner, but most often the man). 2. Pornography addiction (the male is addicted).

    A lot of the comments I read on here were from men who seem to be somewhat defensive about the subject. Kind of 'A man will be a man' type of bullpucky. Men have every ability to control themselves if they want to.

    Well of course they do? What are they mindless apes because they like it? Honestly,I have read books that were way more hardcore than some of the sex vids I've found in my browser and laugh about. How is porn different than a romance novel? Some of those are full of sex and loin talk. Seriously.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Because people either don't prefer it and decide to be controlling and push their preferences on others

    There is some irony.
  • StaceyJ2008
    StaceyJ2008 Posts: 411 Member
    My opinion is that this should not have even been posted but a private conversation should be had about it and it worked out privately. However, I personally think that if it is that big of an issue you should move on. Honestly I think the more you bring it up the more he will watch it just because you said not to. Also, I think that exploration and new things are healthy within reason and unless whatever he is watching is some crazy absurd stuff, I don't understand the "standards" comment.Also, if you read fifty shades at all, its the same thing. I wish you luck.
  • _SABOTEUR_
    _SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
    you'll get the misogynistic attitude that this is some how your fault or you are not acting as an appropriate receptacle for your boyfriend's seminal emissions. First, that's bull sh-t and please don't take any of that to heart. I assume he has a brain and some amount of empathy and is a fully grown responsible adult for his own actions?

    What you're saying is that the relationship should be set by the lowest common denominator (the person with the lower sex drive.) Does it work the other way round or would asking a woman to supress her sexual urges to please her partners lower sex drive also be misogynistic?
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    Well I'm not sure that's it. Is 3 times a day not enough?

    quality not quantity.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Well I'm not sure that's it. Is 3 times a day not enough?

    quality not quantity.

    QFT
  • _SABOTEUR_
    _SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
    So what if he watches porn? Doesn't hurt you, doesn't replace you, so what? No problem. I'd be offended and insulted if I were him and you tried to make him "promise" not to look at porn. Porn is, in my opinion, boring and uninteresting, but no harm to you.

    No doubt I'll get a bunch of backlash for this, but I'm surprised that so many here don't see pornography as harmful to relationships. My husband is a marriage counselor. The problems he sees couples for are 1. Infidelity (either partner, but most often the man). 2. Pornography addiction (the male is addicted).

    A lot of the comments I read on here were from men who seem to be somewhat defensive about the subject. Kind of 'A man will be a man' type of bullpucky. Men have every ability to control themselves if they want to.

    Hold the phone, women don't become addicted to pornography? EVER?

    Sounds legit.

    Also, in my experience just as many women cheat as men, it's just that women are much more clever at hiding it.
  • metaphoria
    metaphoria Posts: 1,432 Member
    In my opinion, porn sets unrealistic expectations for relationships. I'm not doing that stuff and no one is paying me to. I agree that a couple needs to have the same moral grounds. If the OP is not comfortable with it then she isn't. That's how she feels. No one can tell anyone else how to feel!!

    In my opinion, romantic films set unrealistic expectations for relationships. So if a guy isn't comfortable with chick flicks, can he rightfully ban them if the girl sets out to ban porn?

    I hope so because this is a relationship, right? Equals and all that stuff.

    I hate most chick flicks because of that. Lol

    Bracing myself for the onslaught of "you're lying! You love chick flicks cuz youre a chick and you have all the feelings!!!"
  • cynthiaj777
    cynthiaj777 Posts: 787 Member
    It doesn't matter where you get your appetite as long as you go home for dinner.

    My boyfriend has said something along these lines. It doesn't matter what either of us does during the day, who we talk to or who we look at....at night, we go to bed with each other.

    And porn....yeah. Whatever. It is porn. WHO CARES!!!! :huh:

    The ex? Naw....I count that as ALMOST cheating. I would have slapped-a-hoe.
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member
    So what if he watches porn? Doesn't hurt you, doesn't replace you, so what? No problem. I'd be offended and insulted if I were him and you tried to make him "promise" not to look at porn. Porn is, in my opinion, boring and uninteresting, but no harm to you.

    No doubt I'll get a bunch of backlash for this, but I'm surprised that so many here don't see pornography as harmful to relationships. My husband is a marriage counselor. The problems he sees couples for are 1. Infidelity (either partner, but most often the man). 2. Pornography addiction (the male is addicted).

    A lot of the comments I read on here were from men who seem to be somewhat defensive about the subject. Kind of 'A man will be a man' type of bullpucky. Men have every ability to control themselves if they want to.

    I have a question beyond the obvious point that a marriage counselor only see's the worst case scenarios (kind of like a cop/EMT becoming jaded). Is the male addicted to porn or does the wife say he is addicted to porn?
  • littlepinkhearts
    littlepinkhearts Posts: 1,055 Member
    He is probably looking at porn because he is not getting laid enough....just sayin'

    your opinion for sure, but definately not always the case!
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    So what if he watches porn? Doesn't hurt you, doesn't replace you, so what? No problem. I'd be offended and insulted if I were him and you tried to make him "promise" not to look at porn. Porn is, in my opinion, boring and uninteresting, but no harm to you.

    No doubt I'll get a bunch of backlash for this, but I'm surprised that so many here don't see pornography as harmful to relationships. My husband is a marriage counselor. The problems he sees couples for are 1. Infidelity (either partner, but most often the man). 2. Pornography addiction (the male is addicted).

    A lot of the comments I read on here were from men who seem to be somewhat defensive about the subject. Kind of 'A man will be a man' type of bullpucky. Men have every ability to control themselves if they want to.

    But if they don't have an addiction to porn, do they need to control themselves?

    Another big problem with couples is alcohol addiction in one partner. Does that mean that all couples should completely avoid alcohol? No. Only count something as a problem if it is a problem.
  • jollyjoe321
    jollyjoe321 Posts: 529 Member
    Well I'm not sure that's it. Is 3 times a day not enough?

    How YOU doing?
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    So what if he watches porn? Doesn't hurt you, doesn't replace you, so what? No problem. I'd be offended and insulted if I were him and you tried to make him "promise" not to look at porn. Porn is, in my opinion, boring and uninteresting, but no harm to you.

    No doubt I'll get a bunch of backlash for this, but I'm surprised that so many here don't see pornography as harmful to relationships. My husband is a marriage counselor. The problems he sees couples for are 1. Infidelity (either partner, but most often the man). 2. Pornography addiction (the male is addicted).

    A lot of the comments I read on here were from men who seem to be somewhat defensive about the subject. Kind of 'A man will be a man' type of bullpucky. Men have every ability to control themselves if they want to.

    I have a question beyond the obvious point that a marriage counselor only see's the worst case scenarios (kind of like a cop/EMT becoming jaded). Is the male addicted to porn or does the wife say he is addicted to porn?

    The men see it as a problem as well.

    Here is an interesting read. From Men's Health.

    http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/porn-debate?fullpage=true
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    So what if he watches porn? Doesn't hurt you, doesn't replace you, so what? No problem. I'd be offended and insulted if I were him and you tried to make him "promise" not to look at porn. Porn is, in my opinion, boring and uninteresting, but no harm to you.

    No doubt I'll get a bunch of backlash for this, but I'm surprised that so many here don't see pornography as harmful to relationships. My husband is a marriage counselor. The problems he sees couples for are 1. Infidelity (either partner, but most often the man). 2. Pornography addiction (the male is addicted).

    A lot of the comments I read on here were from men who seem to be somewhat defensive about the subject. Kind of 'A man will be a man' type of bullpucky. Men have every ability to control themselves if they want to.

    But if they don't have an addiction to porn, do they need to control themselves?

    Another big problem with couples is alcohol addiction in one partner. Does that mean that all couples should completely avoid alcohol? No. Only count something as a problem if it is a problem.
    Some have sex addictions. All couples should probably avoid sex, just to be safe.
  • MiloBloom83
    MiloBloom83 Posts: 2,724 Member
    I'm just curious, where is the line drawn between your partner wanting to try new things they've seen in porn and projecting "porn standards" onto you? what are these aforementioned "porn standards"? this is a genuine question.

    Piledriver DP while loudly singing the German National Anthem.

    This is a classic. Excellent production values.
  • littlepinkhearts
    littlepinkhearts Posts: 1,055 Member
    Been through the porn addiction with an ex....one of his many talents haha....all new to me at the time. Went through all the phases untill i finally accepted it wasn't gonna change. All men are different obviously, you need to find out if he's addicted, or just likes it and deal with it in whatever way you need to. Whatever way you can live wilth.
  • _errata_
    _errata_ Posts: 1,653 Member
    True statements:
    1) He looks at porn.
    2) You don't like him looking at porn.
    3) He has lied to you about not looking at porn.
    4) He will never stop looking at porn.

    Can you live with a guy that looks at porn?

    If you can't tolerate a relationship with someone who looks at porn, then you guys need to split (and prepare to be a spinster). Otherwise, you need to stop judging the guy and figure out how to make it work. Demonizing the behavior will only lead to him lying to you more.

    It is really that simple.
  • metaphoria
    metaphoria Posts: 1,432 Member
    It doesn't matter where you get your appetite as long as you go home for dinner.

    My boyfriend has said something along these lines. It doesn't matter what either of us does during the day, who we talk to or who we look at....at night, we go to bed with each other.

    And porn....yeah. Whatever. It is porn. WHO CARES!!!! :huh:

    The ex? Naw....I count that as ALMOST cheating. I would have slapped-a-hoe.

    A question for this hypothetical situation... Why should the ex be punished when the boyfriend is the one who is supposed to be committed to you?
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    So what if he watches porn? Doesn't hurt you, doesn't replace you, so what? No problem. I'd be offended and insulted if I were him and you tried to make him "promise" not to look at porn. Porn is, in my opinion, boring and uninteresting, but no harm to you.

    No doubt I'll get a bunch of backlash for this, but I'm surprised that so many here don't see pornography as harmful to relationships. My husband is a marriage counselor. The problems he sees couples for are 1. Infidelity (either partner, but most often the man). 2. Pornography addiction (the male is addicted).

    A lot of the comments I read on here were from men who seem to be somewhat defensive about the subject. Kind of 'A man will be a man' type of bullpucky. Men have every ability to control themselves if they want to.

    But if they don't have an addiction to porn, do they need to control themselves?

    Another big problem with couples is alcohol addiction in one partner. Does that mean that all couples should completely avoid alcohol? No. Only count something as a problem if it is a problem.

    I spoke of addiction, because that is what my husband specializes in. IMO, viewing porn AT ALL is problematic for couples. Understanding that, yes, the man would be responsible for controlling himself.

    ETA: Editing for clarity: Pornography effects men and women very differently because of the way our brains are wired. This is why pornography is geared toward men, and they are the ones who most often engage in it. Not always, but by and large. Of course, if a woman is engaging and it is a problem, she has the same responsibility. I only speak of the man originally because all of the posts saying 'Hey, a guy is a guy!'.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    So what if he watches porn? Doesn't hurt you, doesn't replace you, so what? No problem. I'd be offended and insulted if I were him and you tried to make him "promise" not to look at porn. Porn is, in my opinion, boring and uninteresting, but no harm to you.

    No doubt I'll get a bunch of backlash for this, but I'm surprised that so many here don't see pornography as harmful to relationships. My husband is a marriage counselor. The problems he sees couples for are 1. Infidelity (either partner, but most often the man). 2. Pornography addiction (the male is addicted).

    A lot of the comments I read on here were from men who seem to be somewhat defensive about the subject. Kind of 'A man will be a man' type of bullpucky. Men have every ability to control themselves if they want to.

    But if they don't have an addiction to porn, do they need to control themselves?

    Another big problem with couples is alcohol addiction in one partner. Does that mean that all couples should completely avoid alcohol? No. Only count something as a problem if it is a problem.

    I spoke of addiction, because that is what my husband specializes in. IMO, viewing porn AT ALL is problematic for couples. Understanding that, yes, the man would be responsible for controlling himself.

    At what about the women that watch porn? What if they both like porn? What if the other person that doesn't watch it is okay with the other person watching and has no insecurities about it? Realizes that just because her SO likes it/watches it doesn't demean her in any way.

    According to you, regardless of the situation, they are doomed.
  • silvergurl518
    silvergurl518 Posts: 4,123 Member
    unless it's straight up an addiction (which is totally feasable), porn exists as a way to act out fantasies. shouldn't be taken personally that he enjoys it--why not join him....could be fun :) he's not "cheating" on you by looking at porn (unless he's on it all the time and neglects the actual relationship). i've enjoyed porn before.
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