From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual Norms

Understanding the dynamics of sexually violent behavior is essential for developing effective interventions and policies that promote safe and respectful sexual relationships. An important area of research in this context is examining the influence of pornography on sexual behavior, which can inform...

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Main Authors: Carmen M. Leon, Tatiana Quiñonez-Toral, Eva Aizpurua
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/3/243
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author Carmen M. Leon
Tatiana Quiñonez-Toral
Eva Aizpurua
author_facet Carmen M. Leon
Tatiana Quiñonez-Toral
Eva Aizpurua
author_sort Carmen M. Leon
collection DOAJ
description Understanding the dynamics of sexually violent behavior is essential for developing effective interventions and policies that promote safe and respectful sexual relationships. An important area of research in this context is examining the influence of pornography on sexual behavior, which can inform these efforts. This study explores how sexually permissive attitudes and acceptance of the sexual double standard mediate the relationship between pornography consumption and engagement in violent sexual practices among a sample of the general population in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain (N = 1003; 50.7% men). The sexual double standard refers to the societal belief that men and women should be judged differently for the same sexual behaviors, with men often praised or excused for promiscuity, while women face stigma and shame. The findings reveal gender differences in engagement in sexually violent practices during sexual relationships. Men are more likely to perpetrate these behaviors, while women are more likely to experience them. Importantly, both lifetime and last year pornography consumption are associated with an increased involvement in such practices. This relationship is partially mediated by sexually permissive attitudes, with a stronger mediation effect observed in men. Practitioners can leverage these insights to develop comprehensive strategies that mitigate the risks associated with pornography consumption.
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spelling doaj-art-e3efd57b4bfa4d7b82d870e72c53b8ed2025-08-20T02:42:41ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-02-0115324310.3390/bs15030243From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual NormsCarmen M. Leon0Tatiana Quiñonez-Toral1Eva Aizpurua2School of Law, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, SpainSchool of Law, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, SpainCentre for Social Survey Transformation, National Centre for Social Research, London EC1V 0AX, UKUnderstanding the dynamics of sexually violent behavior is essential for developing effective interventions and policies that promote safe and respectful sexual relationships. An important area of research in this context is examining the influence of pornography on sexual behavior, which can inform these efforts. This study explores how sexually permissive attitudes and acceptance of the sexual double standard mediate the relationship between pornography consumption and engagement in violent sexual practices among a sample of the general population in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain (N = 1003; 50.7% men). The sexual double standard refers to the societal belief that men and women should be judged differently for the same sexual behaviors, with men often praised or excused for promiscuity, while women face stigma and shame. The findings reveal gender differences in engagement in sexually violent practices during sexual relationships. Men are more likely to perpetrate these behaviors, while women are more likely to experience them. Importantly, both lifetime and last year pornography consumption are associated with an increased involvement in such practices. This relationship is partially mediated by sexually permissive attitudes, with a stronger mediation effect observed in men. Practitioners can leverage these insights to develop comprehensive strategies that mitigate the risks associated with pornography consumption.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/3/243sexual violencepornography consumptionsexually permissive attitudessexual double standardgender differences
spellingShingle Carmen M. Leon
Tatiana Quiñonez-Toral
Eva Aizpurua
From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual Norms
Behavioral Sciences
sexual violence
pornography consumption
sexually permissive attitudes
sexual double standard
gender differences
title From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual Norms
title_full From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual Norms
title_fullStr From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual Norms
title_full_unstemmed From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual Norms
title_short From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual Norms
title_sort from pornography consumption to sexually violent practices uncovering the hidden influence of sexual norms
topic sexual violence
pornography consumption
sexually permissive attitudes
sexual double standard
gender differences
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/3/243
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AT evaaizpurua frompornographyconsumptiontosexuallyviolentpracticesuncoveringthehiddeninfluenceofsexualnorms