The Culture Project

Author Tom Costello, for The Culture Project, 27 January 2016

Growing up, I didn’t know much about pornography. Like many well-meaning people, my parents didn’t know how to discuss the beautiful gift of human sexuality with me with great openness or honesty. Therefore, there wasn’t much of a conversation about it. Even without the direct guidance from my parents, I had enough of an understanding to turn away from porn when I was exposed to it in my teens.

I know now that I’m in the minority.

I understand that the topic of pornography is hard to talk about–trust me, it’s now my job to talk to students about this. However, the problem for me growing up was that no one ever talked about it. This needs to change. Think of the irony of how popular media sources like Cosmo or talk shows like Conan are totally comfortable making light of porn stars. Meanwhile, most of us are uneasy when it comes to discussing this issue. For most people, it’s easier to joke about the issue than it is to dive into the harmful realities of what pornography does to both the human brain and the human heart.

Now as a speaker, I’ve been grateful to have heard the testimonies of friends who have gone through this struggle. In my experience in speaking to young men about the temptations of pornography, I’ve discovered three essential steps to shed light on the darkness of pornography.

1– Never be afraid

Even starting the conversation is a big and important first step! It could be as easy as pointing out how degrading the provocative magazines are at the grocery story or asking a question about the messaging of the supermodels on TV. It’s been said that darkness can only be scattered by light. We can’t be afraid to shed this light. The fight in overcoming pornography is never an easy one. This is why we should always do our best to offer our assistance whenever the opportunity arises. Speaking on the truth of pornography calls for a heart never afraid to do so, a heart of bravery, encouragement, and compassion.

2– Know your statistics

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I realized just how prevalent pornography use actually was in our world today. Knowing your statistics can help inform others on the extent of the damage that porn has done and to help continue the conversation. Here are 5 shocking statistics to know:

70% of men watch pornography¹
30% of women watch pornography¹
35% of all internet traffic is related to pornography¹
Pornography revenue is larger than the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, combined²
90% of 8-16 year olds have seen pornography on the internet²
3– Share your stories

Whether it’s your own or someone you know, conveying the stories with others can make all the difference. Sharing the stories of those who struggle with overcoming pornography demonstrate one of the most important lessons we can learn: there is always hope. With the right strategies, resources, and perseverance, the fight against pornography is a battle that can be won one heart at a time.

 

For further information go to www.restoreculture.com