Pornography

Pornography or "porn" usually refers to explicit sexual material such as films, books, pictures, and magazines intended to sexually arouse a person. Nowadays, online pornography is always available at hand and can be accessible all the time at any place. Pornography can cause serious problems and might give rise to misleading ideas of sexual behaviours especially among youths. Pornography can also damage the way people see themselves and how they act with their sexual partners. It can only show sex as a physical act and not in a context of a loving relationship.

Unfortunately, pornography can be used as a way of learning about sex especially by the young generation. It can give a false and unrealistic ideas of what really happens during the sexual act, by for example, imaging certain expectations and roles from the sexual partners. It is very easy to influence viewers especially youths on sex expectations. Pornography can send negative messages such as that violent sexual acts are normal and appealing, or sexual relationships in which certain persons have no power is OK.

One should never feel pressured to perform and engage in any sexual behaviour that one is not comfortable or happy to do. In pornography, the impression is given that persons during sex are beautiful and well endowed. This gives a false 'perfect' and 'normal' image of what a person should look like. Communication with young adults is the key to provide the correct information and answer questions about sex/sexual behaviours and relationships. Guardians should be aware that pornography might leave an effect of self-esteem, body shame, pressure to perform certain sexual acts and increased self-objectification.

Some pornographic videos do not show safe sex and many actors are not shown wearing condoms. On the other hand, sometimes these actors are forced to have regular STI checkup. Condoms are still the only protection for STI transmission during sex.