Sample Solution

Pornography (legal and illegal) has been linked to a variety of etiological factors contributing to sexual offending behaviors. It is difficult to ascertain a direct causal relationship between pornography use and sexual offending behavior, as research indicates other factors such as personal characteristics, peer influence, family environment and socio-cultural pressures all play key roles in the development of these behaviors.

Research shows that exposure to explicit content can have an effect on attitudes towards sex, gender roles and desirability; however there is conflicting evidence regarding whether it influences general behavioral outcomes when it comes to non-offenders. While some studies suggest that people who are exposed to more sexually explicit media are more likely to engage in riskier acts related to sexual behavior including unprotected sex or multiple partners, others indicate no significant effect on attitudes or behaviors related to consensual sex. Some may even attribute positive associations with increased self-esteem due to greater knowledge of sexuality or better communication skills with their partners after viewing pornography.