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Porn is usually seen as something men watch on the Internet or TV in order to masturbate. However, women also watch porn. In today’s society, not many women will admit to watching it — only 8 percent of women said they’ve viewed Internet porn in a Pew Research poll. This low number, as a Slate.com writer suggested, may be because women have been told that porn is something only men watch. In response to those findings, Ann Summers, a British sex toy retailer, conducted its own online survey of customers in 2013 which saw a much larger 55 percent of women saying they view porn at least once a month. That poll is based on a much more specific group of women, but it tells us that there may be a large difference between how many women admit to watching porn and how many women actually do.
Some women may believe that admitting to watching porn makes them look like sex addicts, but this stigma needs to change. Women should understand that watching porn is a normal part of sex — both men and women are sexual human beings. Women who are open about watching porn aren’t going to look like sex addicts, it will simply show that they enjoy sex just as much as men do.
Even though I don’t frequently watch porn, I do not think there should be any negative connotations toward women that watch porn. Women have as much of a right as men to watch porn, and should not be judged for it. The Ann Summers poll showed that porn can be beneficial to women by improving one’s sex life or even helping to alleviate stress.
It has been reported that couples who watch porn together are more committed and sexually satisfied than women who don’t watch porn with their significant others. In the poll, 58 percent of women said that porn has made a positive effect in their sex life, admitting that watching porn inspired them to tell their partner exactly what they want in bed. Additionally, exposure to porn could give women more confidence to try different positions.
According to a few studies, about 49 percent of young adult women agree that watching porn is an acceptable way of expressing their sexuality. Watching porn has inspired couples to turn the camera on themselves and make their own videos. Over 40 percent of women in the Ann Summers poll admitted to recording pornography with their ex or current partner. Some even admitted to making it on their smart phone.
Porn not only helps a woman in her relationship, it is also a place where women can escape and de-stress. Many women live very stressful lives and porn can be an accessible release. Over 85 percent of women in the Ann Summers poll stated that watching porn was a place to experience their fantasies and relieve stress. Another study showed that people who view sexual images are a lot less stressed and performed better on a math test.
Porn should be seen as a normal medium for both men and women to satisfy themselves or even aide their relationship. There should not be this stereotype that women have to be sex addicts to watch porn. People in society should realize there are many benefits of women watching pornography, and women shouldn’t be embarrassed to share that they watch porn. This stigma should end and women should be more open about watching porn and feel free to do it.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Alex Myers at alexandra.myers@colorado.edu.
