The internet – and adult entertainment sites in particular – have revolutionized the way individuals view and interact with sex, as well as how relationships occur and develop between people in recent years. Pornhub is one of the most popular and well-known adult sites on the net. With its user base well into the millions, Pornhub’s contributions to the emerging ‘online-sexual revolution’ has been strong, as social attitudes towards sex and pornography have become much more relaxed and less conservative since its inception. This article will explore some of the social and cultural impacts of Pornhub on society at large.
Impact on Young People
Pornhub has had a direct effect on the attitudes of many young people towards sex. Popular culture has become more saturated with references to pornographic material, often explicitly or with subtext. Consequently, the accessibility of pornography itself has become nearly impossible to ignore. This is where Pornhub is particularly influential – it is almost unavoidably available to those looking for it and has caused millions of people to become overnight viewers of its explicit films.
This poses a great risk to many young people, as there is still debate surrounding the psychological impacts when exposed to pornography too often or at a young age. Psychologists agree that it is through exposure at an early age, where long-term effects on a person’s psychology will be vast. It has been argued that pornography, if viewed in too much detail and at an early age, can warp a person’s views on relations, sexual norms and expectations of relationships.
This has particular implications for young girls and women, who are particularly vulnerable to its effects. The potential for increased harassment and objectification is a very real prospect for young people exposed to too much porn. This is especially the case when access to Pornhub occurs frequently and over a long period of time. Parental guidance and control has never been more critical in this matter and monitoring online activity, especially in younger people, is critical in preventing changing social norms and views on sex.
Impact on Couples
As a result of Pornhub’s influence, many couples, both existing and new, are starting to explore various types of sexual activities and fantasies. This can, in some circumstances, be positive, with couples agreeing to explore new sexual activities and fantasies and being comfortable in sharing and discussing them. This in turn can lead to an improved and enriched sex life, improved communication and stronger, healthier relationships in general.
However, it has been argued that Pornhub can interfere with the expectations that couples have of one another. This is particularly concerning when one partner is exposed to too much porn and has unrealistic expectations of the other. This has been linked to wide reports of decreased libido, frustration and increased pressure for one partner, either sacrificing their needs for more pleasure and unrealistic expectations of their partner.
Role of Pornhub in Society
With Pornhub being so prevalent it is hard to ignore the role it has in shaping public opinion and norms to a certain degree. The subsequent acceptance of pornographic material – which at one point was a huge taboo – has been integral in exposing more people to sexually charged films, cultural references and topics. It has also led to porn being viewed in a very different manner, with many beginning to openly discuss and debate the role it plays in society.
In some cases, efforts have been made to represent pornography in a more positive light. This is especially the case with films, which are beginning to focus on depicting women in stronger and more independent roles. Moreover, films where couples indulge in consensual activities and sex, as well as using protection, are becoming much more commonplace.
This can be seen very clearly with the concept of ‘Female Ejaculation’ being made increasingly visible in films—often with couples discussing the goal and process of achieving it, often in a way that does not glorify the activities and behaviors that would be frowned upon in any real-world situation. It has also seen more films being made, which feature women actively enjoying their sexual experiences and make it clear that it is acceptable for women to do so.
It’s clear that the immense success of Pornhub has had large, social and cultural impacts on society. For many, it has provided entertainment and pleasure, as well as a tool to engage and explore new fantasies. Nevertheless, there are a few considerations that must be made, when it comes to protecting the welfare of young people and helping couples work out how to incorporate these activities into their relationships in a safe way. They must also be wary of creating their expectations of the opposite sex based on what they’ve seen in explicit films, as these will not always reflect real-world behaviors and expectations. Ultimately, Pornhub presents both positive and negative aspects. It is up to the individual to determine which will play a bigger role in society, and it is our responsibility as a society to ensure that these activities and behaviors stay within safe parameters.