Sexuality & Sexual Health: Miscellaneous / Question
Published: July 24, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Why all of a sudden am I interested in pornography? I feel dumb after looking at it because I know it's so degrading to women and wrong. Why?
Signed: Interested In Pornography
Dear Interested In Pornography,
TeenHealthFX wants you to know that it is very normal for you to feel curious about sex and, yes, even pornography. What is more, we understand that it must be confusing to be attracted to something that you feel conflicted about. As long as there is nothing illegal going on in the images you are seeing, like child pornography for example, TeenHealthFX believes that it is a normal part of development to test the boundaries of what you are and are not comfortable with. Looking at pornography on occasion is no exception.
Like with many other morally complicated issues, pornography probably raises some tough questions for you. Pay close attention to how feel about the answers. They can help to shape your judgment going forward when faced with other challenging situations.
- Why do you feel that looking at these images is so "wrong"?
- How do you think the people involved are being treated?
- Does anything you are seeing conflict with any religious beliefs you might have?
- How would the people in your life you look up to feel about these images?
- What are the consequences of the kinds of behaviors you are seeing?
- Are you ready to handle them?
These are just a few suggestions of issues to think about. Whatever you decide to ask yourself, just be sure to give some good serious thought to how the answers mesh with or conflict with your principles and ideas of what is acceptable behavior for a responsible person. You will likely learn a good deal about yourself in the process.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Alcohol kills 6.5 times more youth than all other illicit drugs combined.
