Meiji University Researcher Reveals How To Deal With 'Porn Normalization' In Young Adults

Researcher Mengzhen Lim discusses the popularity of pornography and techniques to manage its consumption.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | February 13, 2024

A recent study published in Sexual and Relationship Therapy explored the changes in attitudes, intentions to discontinue, perceived social pressure and behavioral control regarding pornography among Malaysians.

I recently spoke to Mengzhen Lim of School of Arts and Letters at Meiji University, lead author of the paper, to discuss the growing popularity of pornography and strategies to enhance understanding of related concerns among young adults. Here is a summary of our conversation.

What inspired you to study pornography in relation to the theory of planned behavior?

Owning or accessing pornography is considered a "crime" in Malaysia. In this context, "crime" not only implies a legal violation but also goes against cultural norms. Nevertheless, in recent years, Malaysia has often appeared in user statistics published by companies like Pornhub. Given the "criminal" nature of this activity, the theory of planned behavior plays a significant role by proposing the function of intention and using it to predict actual behavior. It's crucial to note that forming an intention to either watch or abstain from porn is not a crime, but the act itself is considered a "crime."

It's important to note that it is still arguable in the context of law whether watching porn is illegal or not. Section 292 of the Penal Code states that it is an offense to download or upload pornographic material and is penalized by a fine, a term of imprisonment that may extend to three years, or both.

Pornography is considered a taboo in several cultures. Does its normalization point toward a shift in religious and societal conventions?

Our study only found that there has been a shift in attitudes toward pornography and an intention to stop watching it, but we did not specifically measure if there has been a shift in religiosity and deviation from social conventions. However, I think it is fair to make such an assumption based on the study results. It's important to note that an assumption is not evidence per se.

In my view, the religious views have not changed, but society has changed quite a lot in the past decade. Take sex after marriage, for example, once upon a time, people could marry at a very young age. The average marriage age currently is in the late 20s, while puberty starts at the age of 12 or younger. So, can people wait for almost 10-15 years before enjoying sexual pleasure? The simple intuitive answer is "NO", and pornography might be one of the solutions.

Your findings indicate a growing acceptability for pornography viewing. What issues may arise due to this surge in popularity?

I think the main issue is that we do not understand pornography well enough. Unlike most movies that are screened and rated with labels, such as "18 Rated" or "G: General audiences," there are no such distinctions for pornography. The issue here is how we can assist people who want to watch porn in choosing a "healthier" option to watch.

It is easy to search for studies that imply pornography is harmful through correlation. But it is difficult to understand the benefits of pornography that go far beyond our intuition, such as privacy and pleasure.

Despite societal values, I believe people should be given the right to make an informed decision. We have to answer the question: What is "good" about pornography and is some pornography more harmful than others? Answering these questions could help users choose to watch better "porn."

Based on your research, how can sex education in schools help with pornography-related concerns?

Schools have the responsibility to initiate more discussions about porn as a part of sex education. Instead, they merely state that it is bad and invoke religious consequences, such as God would get angry if you watch it.

For example, it is disheartening if our young generation grows up believing that choking is a normal part of sex because they saw such a scene when they first watched porn. Algorithms may mistakenly associate their preferences with such content, suggesting porn with similar scenes. This kind of misunderstanding can be clarified through open conversations in schools.

Depending on age appropriateness, I start talking to students at the university about porn industry as well as the physical and mental health of the performers. I am not sure if this idea would work in the context of Malaysia, but I believe it might work in other nations.

What are the practical takeaways from your research for a parent looking to decrease their child's pornographic consumption?

This research only showed that there are shifts in attitudes and intentions. I assume that parents who want to decrease their child's pornographic consumption do so because they believe it is harmful. This might not be directly relevant, but I thought of what Freud said, that "civilization" is built largely on erotic energy that has been blocked. I think it is important for parents to understand why their children are initially drawn to such content. The solution would be to find the alternative.

If children are looking to release stress, then provide them with alternative methods for stress release. If it is about curiosity, provide them alternatives to satisfy that curiosity. If it is about sexual pleasure, then their children need alternative methods to experience pleasure without resorting to pornography. I do not think it is going to work if there are no alternatives. In fact, pleasure is the most basic human right and this includes sexual pleasure.