Study reveals devastation of pornography on marriages and families

ROCK - Building Stronger Communities & Families and the Family Research Council (FRC) have co- published a new study that comprehensively details the effects of pornography on marriages, children, communities and individuals.

 Pat Fagan, Ph.D. authored the study and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Family Research Council. Dr. Fagan made the following comments:

"This is a ground-breaking review of what pornography costs families trying to create a life together. Men, women and sometimes even children are saturated by sexual content, and more significantly, are told that it has no real effect. It's just a little amusement.

"Pornography corrodes the conscience, promotes distrust between husbands and wives and debases untold thousands of young women. It is not harmless escapism but relational and emotional poison.

"The fact that marriage rates are dropping steadily is well known. But the impact of pornography use and its correlation to fractured families has been little discussed. The data show that as pornography sales increase, the marriage rate drops.

"As this academic review reveals, pornography is creating a debt of the spirit and a cost in the lives of family members that rivals any deficit the federal government is producing.

"The science is clear: children from families without married parents have much higher poverty rates as well as poorer health and other socio- economic difficulties. Nations with low marriage rates suffer the same fates. And underlying the social trends is the impact of pornography on family formation. It's a quiet family killer."

Among the study's findings:

• -Men who view pornography regularly have a higher tolerance for abnormal sexuality, including rape, sexual aggression, and sexual promiscuity.
• -Married men who are involved in pornography feel less satisfied with their conjugal relations and less emotionally attached to their wives. Wives notice and are upset by the difference.
• -Pornography engenders greater sexual permissiveness, which in turn leads to a greater risk of out-of-wedlock births and STDs, which in turn lead to still more weaknesses and debilities.
• -The presence of sexually oriented businesses significantly harms the surrounding community, leading to increases in crime and decreases in property values.
• -Child-sex offenders are more likely to view pornography regularly or to be involved in its distribution.
• -Pornography eliminates the warmth of affectionate family life, which is the natural social nutrient for the growing child.

ROCK President Bryan Wickens stated, "ROCK is proud to be a co-publisher with the Family Research Council in the dissemination of such an important and timely document. This research reveals some very disturbing data. The impact of pornography on our children, families and communities is devastating. But there is hope as with more research, such as this breakthrough study, comes more understanding of why communities must stand up to protect their citizens from the negative harms associated with the sex industry. ROCK is committed to a proactive approach on behalf of our children, families and communities. We can make a difference in the lives of those around us and bring hope for our children and grandchildren."

Click here to download the full study.