Moral Views on Pornography and Pornography Use: It Might Be Complicated

The intersection of pornography and morality has been a focal point of pornography scholarship for decades. Surprisingly little research has focused on whether and why moral views impact pornography use, however, despite increased attention paid to the study of pornography across the social and behavioral sciences. This letter has three aims. First, to call for increased research on moral views about pornography and pornography use. Second, to suggest that this relationship may be more complicated than at first it might appear. Third, to provide preliminary support for our contention of complexity via an empirical examination of three plausible but competing hypotheses on moral opposition to pornography and pornography use employing campus-representative data gathered from a large sample of undergraduate and graduate students. We hope this epistle inspires our colleagues to develop and test their own hypotheses on moral views and pornography use and to consider Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy as a dissemination outlet for these efforts.