There has been extensive study of pornography, it's impact on society and, more notably, it's impact on society's perception of women. The conclusion of this research consistently reveals evidence that links exposure to pornography with calloused and manipulative attitudes towards women.

- Media researcher Donald Fisher reports that: "merely observing a model engaging in sexual behavior (on film, in written material or whatever) may affect our sexual beliefs, expectancies, and fantasies, and consequently our sexual behaviors."

- The Commission on Obscenity and Pornography (1970) stated that one presumed consequence of the portrayals of women in pornography is that erotica transmits an inaccurate and uninformed conception of sexuality and that the viewer or user will engage in behavior in which affection and sexuality are not well integrated.

- Siminarly, in 1975, Brownmiller reported that pornography depicts women as "anonymous panting playthings, adult toys, dehumanized objects to be used, abused, broken and discarded.

- The findings of the six research projects on pornography conducted by media researcher Jim Weaver showed that consumption of common pornography promotes increased acceptance of pre- and extra-marital sexuality. It makes violation of sexual exclusivity more readily tolerated. Moral condemnation for sexual activities diminishes.

- In their research, Zillman and Bryant showed that in a series of studies, volunteers who were exposed repeatedly to pornography had new ideas about sex after the study was over. These included:
:Seeing rape as trivial
:Dissatisfaction with sexual relationships
:Diminished caring for and trust in intimate partners.
:Seeing sexual abuse to anyone as trivial.
:Seeing women as sexually receptive and permissive of advances.

Pornography may not be directly responsible for rape. Certainly millions of people watch pornography and do not rape women, but research certainly concludes that pornography unequivocally has a negative impact on the viewer's perception of women and of sex. It can be hypothesized that pornography may encourage someone who is already predisposed to committing acts of rape, but the idea that pornography alone causes rape is an irresponsible and uneducated conclusion.

Learn more about this author, A. South.
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