The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has conducted a study revealing that young males are nearly five times more inclined towards viewing pornography than their female counterparts. It was shown that 64% of males and only 13% of females, both in their twenties, acknowledged viewing adult content.
The consumption of such material also varied depending on differing elements across the two genders. The ESRI’s findings indicated that financially privileged males tend to view pornography more frequently, a pattern that is not clarified by their more frequent use of the internet. However, the use of such content among females showed no significant variation related to their socio-economic background.
Further, males from single-parent families were shown to be less predisposed to consume adult content. In contrast, females arising from such family structures reported a higher consumption rate. The study also found that those with religious beliefs or under strict parental supervision during their teenage years, monitored either through internet usage for males or lack of time spent home alone for females, are less likely to view pornography.
Within the LGBTQ+ community, there was a higher likelihood of viewing pornography, especially amongst females. This trend is believed by researchers to either be an attempt to gain sexual awareness or due to limited interaction with other LGBTQ+ youths.
Funded by the HSE Health and Wellbeing, Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme, the study also analysed the correlation between viewing adult content and sexual conduct and wellbeing. It was discovered that regular viewers of pornography are less likely to consistently use condoms. The research also suggested that males who view porn regularly enjoy lower wellbeing, as they expressed greater dissatisfaction with their lives, increased signs of depression, and low self-worth. Both sexes were found to exhibit increased aggression and coping mechanisms, often resorting to negative strategies such as substance abuse or isolation when subjected to stress, if they regularly viewed pornography.
This analysis leans on the information gathered from the 1998 generation participants in the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) investigation, observing the use of pornography in over 4,500 young adults who were 20 years old.
Emer Smyth, a contributor to the study, claimed that individuals who consume pornography, particularly men, demonstrated lesser wellbeing. Therefore, it would be valuable to address this usage and possibly the overarching issue of troublesome internet consumption through methods promoting mental health.
HSE Health and Wellbeing’s assistant national director, Helen Deely, emphasised that the results reinforce the significance of discussing several topics with young people, including relationships, sexual consent, gender roles, and expectations.
In terms of promoting safe sexual practices, it is particularly alarming that the investigation reported a notably lower usage of condoms among pornography viewers. As is widely known, condoms provide the most effective safeguard against sexually transmitted infections, in addition to protecting against unintended pregnancies, she added.