In the movie Don Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a porn addict who is torn between keeping up with his high libido and keeping a relationship with his girl who is portrayed by the stunningly sexy Scarlett Johansson. We know what you’re thinking: a bunch of raunchy babes vs. the babe? There should be no contest, right? Apparently, there is. And now, you’re probably wondering just how worried you should be about your man’s own special collection.
The truth is, a lot of men watch porn. In a survey of 177 students in the UK, researchers found that 97 percent watched porn, reports The Telegraph. Another study from the University of Montreal says that all men watch porn; some of them started getting into the habit as early as 10 years old. Single men reportedly spend an average of 40 minutes watching porn for three days. Those who have significant others, however, spend only 20 minutes doing it for 1.7 days, which is said to be quite "normal."
Still, too much of a good thing also applies to the issue. In an Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine survey of 28,000 men, researchers discovered that many men in their 20s who started watching porn at a young age find it difficult to get or maintain an erection.
Apparently, the feel-good hormone dopamine rises when men watch porn. “In time, this overstimulation manifests as a loss of libido and erectile dysfunction 30 years too early,” Dr Chris Forester from counselling service Help Porn Addiction shares in an article on Men’s Health.
But unless your man is a Don Jon incarnate, there really isn't anything to feel threatened about. In fact, some people say that porn could actually be helping your relationship!
“Porn can actually help foster emotional and sexual intimacy,” says Colorado psychologist David Schnarch and author of the book Resurrecting Sex: Solving Sexual Problems and Revolutionizing Your Relationship in an article on The Huffington Post. "A significant portion of our work in helping couples develop a deeper sexual connection is through erotic images. Erotica, as well as couples' own masturbatory fantasies, can be useful tools for helping them develop as adults.”
Of course, his porn isn't the only thing we're talking about here. With Fifty Shades of Grey and other such titles in your book shelf, perhaps you and your man could devote a bit of time to exchange... ideas.
(Screencap from Don Jon courtesy of Relativity Media)
