Culture and Self-Identity

In our class discussion last Monday the question was asked, “How should a woman react when she discovers her male partner is involved with pornography?”  Class member responses paralleled the opinions of many others on this subject which seem to be centered around four different perspectives:

·      Pornography is another form of infidelity requiring swift action on the part of the female to rid herself of a person she can no longer trust.

·      Men struggle to control their sexual responses to physical stimuli because of the powerful effect of testosterone, “the poison in their veins.”  Women need to be understanding of the challenge men face in this regard and should consider their partner’s pornography use as simply a management tool.

·      Pornography use is a form of addiction and can be treated effectively with interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  The psychological reasons of why pornography is sought by males should be explored and understood.

·      Pornography in its ‘softer’ form is actually benign and can be a source of positive stimulation for both males and females.  Many couples enjoy watching pornography together.

A class member pointed out that around the turn of the century it was women who were considered to be biologically unable to control their sexual urges and men who were thought to be rational and emotionally superior.

To me it’s just more evidence that underscores the depth of our blindness to the cumulative effect of culture on our personal identity.