The Impact of Male Partners’ Pornography Consumption on Female Partners’ Self-Image, Sexual Preferences and Pleasure

This research examined how male partners’ pornography consumption affects their female partners’ self-image, sexual preferences and pleasure during sexual activity. Previous studies have shown that pornography can have detrimental effects on individuals in relationships. The current research conducted interviews with women whose male partners consume or have consumed pornography. Theories of social comparison, self-objectification and sexual scripts were used to discover how the women’s self-image, sexual preferences and pleasure were affected. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews. The findings demonstrate that many women are influenced by unrealistic expectations and norms portrayed in pornography. The majority of women recognized how pornography has influenced their partners in both negative and positive ways. Some women were not affected by their partners watching pornography. This research is important to understand the broader effects of pornography on individuals in romantic and sexual relationships, the role and portrayal of women in mainstream pornography, and how this representation affects women’s real-life experiences.