JenEric Designs

The oldest recorded video porn was a homemade video in 1925 (they’d have to be super rich to have been able to afford a video camera back then!) of a couple on a picnic that evolves into sex outdoors. There is no sound.

The first playboy centerfold was Marilyn Monroe in December 1953 (happy 63rd anniversary, Playboy!).

Pornography, as defined by Oxford Dictionary, is printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate sexual excitement. Both of the above examples fit in this category.

But over the years, as people got desensitized to sex, pornography has had to become more and more explicit to draw the same reaction from its consumers. It has also become rather unrealistic. Just as our standards of beauty have morphed into an unattainable figure of unreasonable proportions due to photo-manipulation, pornographic videos have evolved into feats of stamina, strength, and extreme situations that are unlikely to happen or be achieved in real life. (Although I won’t completely discount some situations from happening. I don’t like absolutes.)

This leads to certain expectations in the youth who consume the porn that is accessible to them. Expectations that, unless they are unique, will fall flat in the face of reality.

What we should try to disseminate is the information that pornography is like an action movie.

In an action movie, the hero faces off against numerous villains all at once. The hero defeats them against all odds, due in part because of bad planning of the main villain, poor decision making skills of the lackeys, and/or sheer dumb luck on the part of the hero. What happens in an action movie is not likely to happen in real life. It’s designed to look cool, moves the plot forward, and (usually) has a happy ending with the hero triumphant.

Porn is very similar – it’s designed for looks, move the “plot” forward, and has a “happy ending”, but it is very unlikely to happen in real life. Porn is scripted, and every scene you see in a movie has been done to death, so the actors are acting their enjoyment (for the most part). Most of the positions are picked because it gives a good angle for the camera, not because they are comfortable or enjoyable for the actors.

While pornographic movies, erotic novels, and nude photos are great in whatever moderation you choose, just remember not to treat them as reality.

I hope you have a very Happy New Year!