Unplugging Pornography Equipping Parents and Teachers to Fight the New Drug, and Helping Students Stay Pure

Main Article Content

Gabriela A. Dumitrescu

Abstract

Pornography is overwhelmingly prevalent today. It has become the pervasive cancer of our society, sweeping across the world and infecting individuals of any age, gender or race. It is relentlessly trying to invade homes, workplaces, churches and schools nevertheless, and our Christian/Adventist schools make no exception. But there is good news in the battle against pornography. Many dedicated people are addressing the problem and using the research and resources available to fight the new drug. As a Christian psychologist, I am joining forces with all these dedicated people to raise awareness against the devastating effects of pornography and equip parents, teachers, students, and young people in general fight the new drug. Research directed at risky behaviors in general, and pornography in particular, indicates the crucial role families and schools play in preventing, educating and reducing such behaviors and the prevalence of addictions. Biblical and faith based concepts will be integrated into this discussion. Specific suggestions and ideas for preventing and fighting pornography addiction in the home and school setting will be provided.

Article Details

Section
Academic Articles

References

Abell, J., Steenbergh, T., & Boivin, M. (2006). Cyberporn use in the context of religiosity. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 34(2), 165-171.

Albright, J. (2008). Sex in America online: An exploration of sex, marital status, and sexual identity in internet sex seeking and its impacts. Journal of Sex Research, 45(2), 175-186.

Alexy, E., Burgess, A., & Prentky, R. (2009). Pornography use as a risk marker for an aggressive pattern of behavior among sexually reactive children and adolescents. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 42, 442-453.

Carnes, P. (1991). Don’t call it love. New York: Bantam.

Carnes, P. (2001). Facing the shadows: Starting sexual and relationship recovery. Wickenburg, AZ: Gentle Path.

Caroll, J., Padilla-Walker, L., Nelson, L., Olson, C., McNamara Barry, C., & Madsen, S. (2008). Generation XXX: Pornography acceptance and use among emerging adults. Journal of Adolescent Research, 23(1), 6.

Chen, A., Leung, M., Chen, C., & Yang, S. (2013). Exposure to the Internet and pornography among Taiwanese adolescents. Social Behavior and Personality, 41, 157-164. doi: 10.2224/sbp.2013.41.1.157

Clinton, T., & Laaser, M. (2010). The quick reference guide to sexuality and relationship counseling. Ada, MI: Baker Books.

Coleman, E. (1988). Sexual compulsivity: Definition, etiology, and treatment considerations. In E. Coleman (Ed.), Chemical dependency and intimacy dysfunction. New York: Haworth.

Davis, M. (2003). Clergy sexual addiction: A systemic preventative model. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, 10, 99-109.

Doidge, N. (2007). The brain that changes itself. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

D’Orlando, F. (2011). The demand for pornography. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 51-75. doi: 10.1007/210902-009-9175-0

Fagan, P. (2009). The effects of pornography on individuals, marriage, family, and community. Marriage and Religion Research Institute. Retrieved from https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF12D43.pdf

Grubbs, J., Stauner, N., Exline, J., Pargament, K., & Lindberg, M. (2015). Perceived addiction to Internet pornography and psychological distress: Examining relationships concurrently and over time. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29(4), 1056-1067.

Hald, G., & Malamuth, N. (2008). Self-perceived effects of pornography consumption. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37, 614-625. doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9212-1

Hardy, S., Steelman, M., Coyne, S., & Ridge, R. (2013). Adolescent religiousness as a protective factor against pornography use. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 34, 131-139. doi: 10.1016/j.appdev. 2012.12.002

Haney, J. (2006). Teenagers and pornography addiction: Treating the silent epidemic. Vistas Online: Article 10, 49-52.Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/docs/defaultsource/vistas/teenagers-and-pornography-addiction-treating-the-silentepidemic.pdf?sfvrsn=3ddd7e2c_10

Hilton, D. (2013). Pornography addiction – a supranormal stimulus considered in the context of neuroplasticity. Socioaffective Neuroscience and Psychology, 3(20767). doi:10.3402/Snp.V3i0.20767

Hinman, B. (2013). Mixed Methods Analysis of Counselor Views, Attitudes and Perceived
Competencies Regarding the Treatment of Internet Pornography Addiction. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/ viewcontent.cgi?article=1209&context=dissertations

Hinman, B. (2016). No more secrets: Talking with children and young adults about pornography. Journal of Adventist Education, 78(4), 35-40.

Hunter, J., Figueredo, A., & Malamuth, N. (2010). Developmental pathways into social and sexual deviance. Journal of Family Violence, 25, 141-148.

Jenson, K., & Poyner, G. (2016). Good pictures bad pictures: Porn-proofing today’s young kids. Richland, WA: Glen Cove.

Kuhn, S. & Gallinat, J. (2014). Brain structure and functional connectivity associated with pornography consumption: the brain on porn. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(7), 827-834.

Laaser, M. R. (1992). The secret sin: Healing the wounds of sexual addiction. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Laaser, M. R. (1996). Faithful and true: Sexual integrity in a fallen world. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Lickona, T. (2017, Feb 6). Recovering from the trap of pornography. (Interview). Retrieved from: https://www.familyandmedia.eu/en/media-education/recovering-from-the-trap-ofpornography-interview-with-dr-thomas-lickona/

Mesch, G. (2009). Social bonds and internet pornographic exposure among adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 32, 601-618.

Nestler, E. (2008). Transcriptional mechanisms of addiction: Role of DeltaFosB. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sceinces. 363(1507), 3245-3255. doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0067

Owens, E., Behun, R., Manning, J., & Reid, R. (2012). The impact of Internet pornography on adolescents: A review of the research. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, 19, 99-122. doi: 10.1080/10720162.2012.660431

Paul, P. (2005). Pornified: How pornography is transforming our lives, our relationships, and our families. New York: Time Books.

Park, B., Wilson, G., Berger, J., Christman, M., Reina, B., Bishop, F., Doan, A. (2016). Is internet pornography causing sexual dysfunctions? A review with clinical reports. Behavioral Sciences, 6(3). doi: 10.3390/bs6030017

Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. (2006). Adolecents’ exposure to sexually explicit online material and recreational attitudes toward sex. Journal of Communication, 56, 639-660.

Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. (2008). Adolescents’ exposure to sexually explicit internet material, sexualuncertainty, and attitudes toward uncommitted sexual exploration: Is there a link? Communication Research, 35(5), 579.

Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. (2014). Does exposure to sexually explicit Internet material increase body dissatisfaction? A longitudinal study. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 297-307.

Pitchers, K., Vialou, V., Nestler, E., Laviolette, S., Lehman, M., & Coolen, L. (2013). Natural and drug rewards act on common neural plasticity mechanisms with DeltaFosB as a key mediator. The Journal of Neuroscience, 33(8), 3434-3442. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4881-12.2013

Schaumburg, H. (1997). False intimacy: Understanding the struggle of sexual addiction. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress Publishing Group.

Top Five Warning Signs of Internet Pornography Addiction -Teen Boys at Most Risk: What Parents Need to Know. (2014, Oct. 28). In Cision PR Newswire. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/top-five-warning-signs-of-internet-pornographyaddiction-280653822.html

The Governor of Tennessee Just Officially Declared Pornography a Public Health Crisis. (2017, June 17). Retrieved from https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/the-governor-of-tennessee-justofficially-declared-pornography-a-public-health-crisis/

Weiss, R. (2015). Sex addiction 101: A basic guide to healing from sex, porn, and love addiction. Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI.

Ybarra, M., Mitchell, K., Hamburger, M., Diener-West, M., & Leaf, P. (2011). X-rated material and perpetration of sexually aggressive behavior among children and adolescents: Is there a link? Aggressive Behavior, 37, 1-18.

Yoder, V., Virden III, T., & Amin, K. (2005). Internet pornography and loneliness: an association? Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 12, 19-44. doi: 10.1080/10720160590933653

Young, K. (n.d). Surfing Not Studying: Dealing with Internet Addiction on Campus. Retrieved from https://netaddiction.com/articles/surfing_not_studying.pdf

Young, K., Griffin-Shelley, E., Cooper, A., O’Mara, J., & Buchanan, J. (2000). Online infidelity: A new dimension in couple relationships with implications for evaluation and treatment. In A. Cooper (Ed.), Cybersex: The dark side of the force (pp. 59-74). Philadelphia: Brunner Routledge.

Weiss, R., & Schneider, J. (2015). Always turned on: Sex addiction in the digital age. Carefree, AZ: Gentle Path Press

Wolak, J., Mitchell, K., & Finkelhor, D. (2007). Unwanted and wanted exposure to online pornography in a national sample of youth internet users. Pediatrics, 119(2), 247-257. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-1891