Sexuality Education & Therapy with Children
Pornography and gender-based violence: two neglected topics in sexuality education. A systematic review
Open Access: No.
Abstract
Pornography consumption at a young age may pose a threat for sexual health, due to the presence of aggression and the degradation of women. Sexuality education is viewed as a way to mitigate the effects of inadequate information and counteract certain tendencies that may be learned from pornography. This study involved a systematic review of sexuality education programmes whose effectiveness has been assessed to identify those programmes that included the topics of pornography and gender-based violence as part of their contents. A total of 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. Nearly all the reviewed programmes had been implemented in school settings in the USA. Some studies showed significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour related to pornography. Additionally, significant improvements were reported in the prevention of sexual violence and in selfprotection awareness, along with decreases in the acceptability of gender-based violence. Some of the programmes were also found to lead to increases in gender equity, critical media understanding, sexual consent, healthy relationships, and women’s risk perception and confidence, along with decreases in the intention to commit sexual violence. However, few sexuality education programmes were found to engage with the prevention of gender-based violence and the impact of pornography on children, adolescents and young people.
Relevance
The study showed that “very few evaluated sexuality education programmes in the published literature have tackled gender-based violence and pornography” – despite growing awareness that “much pornography depicts scenes of violence characterised by aggression, degradation and the sexual objectification of women.”
Most programs are based in schools. Most do not address the needs of specific populations, such as disabled people.
Most of the programs were aimed at adolescents aged 13-17 years of age. It is important, however, also to initiate discussion about sexuality, pornography, and gender-based violence in pre-pubertal years, “framing it from the perspective of healthy relationships and gender equity.”
Most programs do not include the involvement of community members, which would be beneficial.
Programs need to specifically address not just pornography but the link between pornography and gender-based violence, especially violence against women.
It is important to help adolescents reflect on the consequences of pornography both for women and men, who may feel pressured to act according to “dominant norms of masculinity” presented in pornography.
“Prevention of gender-based violence requires raising awareness both about violent behaviours and about the characteristics of healthy relationships, addressing aspects like desire, pleasure and consent while presenting sexuality as a positive and enriching human activity.”
Citation
Prawiroharjo, P., Ellydar, H., Pratama, P., Edison, R. E., Suaidy, S. E. I., Amani, N. Z., & Carissima, D. (2019). Pornography and gender-based violence: two neglected topics in sexuality education. A systematic review. Sex education, 25(2), pp. 256-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2024.2316154
