Viewing pornography can distort realistic views of healthy sexuality, lead to the objectification of women and promote sexual gratification as a top emotional priority. Insensitivity to a partner’s personal needs and feelings are often a hallmark of relationships where pornography is involved. Even though the pornography may be viewed in secret, the inability to connect with a partner and loved ones is often felt by all.
Because pornography involves emotional, chemical and physical stimulation, it can reset the brain in such a way that normal, healthy sexual experiences become unsatisfying and
sexual satisfaction. As a result, pornography addiction frequently destroys healthy marital relationships and can lead to sexual acting out with self and others or other immoral behavior. Some statistics indicate that the likelihood of infidelity is increased by 300 percent where pornography is involved and 56 percent of divorces in the United States occur at least in part as a result of pornography use.
Pornography use destroys trust and respect, and can make the user emotionally and physically unavailable to his partner. Pornography becomes a counterfeit attachment, drawing attention and time away from other relationships such as with a spouse or girlfriend. Additionally, addicts turn to pornography to satiate emotional needs and numb uncomfortable or painful feelings. This progressive behavior chokes the life out of healthy emotional, sexual, and spiritual intimacy between individuals.