To a large number of Africans pornography is in vogue; nonetheless, it could be likened to a global epidemic which can easily be countered by a mature, principled and well meaning mind. Pornography has psychological, ethical, moral, social and spiritual dimensions which should be addressed and countered personally or through assistance by well meaning individuals and governments.
Assessments have shown that the rate of proliferation of pornography is equivalent to the rate of its effects which includes violence, rape, other sexual crimes and psychological problems. Also, crime, murder and pornography are related. Incidentally, these deeds attack the dignity of man.
Nevertheless, several individuals continues to assume that viewing pornography is just a normal pastime which does not have any negative implications, but several research works and assessments by sociologists and psychologists have proven its unhealthy and catastrophic effects on the normal human mind. These findings includes the work of Charles Keating of citizens for decency through law which reveals that 77% of child molesters of boys and 87% of child molesters of girls admitted imitating sexual behaviour they had seen modeled in pornography. Also, two sociologists in the United States: Murray and Baron of University of New Hampshire found that rape rates are highest in states which have high sales of sex magazines. Diana Russell in her book on rape and marriage inferred that pornography leads men and women to experience conflict, suffering and sexual dissatisfaction. In the same vein, Zimmerman and Byrant (in the forerunner) concluded after a comprehensive research that continued exposure to pornography has a serious adverse effect on belief about sexuality in general and on attitude towards women in particular. They also discovered that pornography tends to justify rape which is incidentally a criminal offence.
Absurd, vulgar and nerve breaking behaviours are exhibited on pornographic materials. These materials display rape, masturbation, sex with objects and animals, paedophilia, brutality and other acts of wickedness against children, sexual victims and even willful participants. Viewing these ruinous and self destructive behaviors is exasperating and harmful to our psychological health. Matter of factly, the increase in the rate of practice of homosexuality/lesbianism and even bestiality among youths and kids, in Africa is easily attributable to pornography.
As hitherto stated pornography is source of sexual dissatisfaction and consequently divorce amongst couples. Here to fore, couples generally enjoyed self fulfilling unions. In addition, divorce rate amongst couples was much lower in comparism to contemporary times. The porn industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and as such several individuals in the western world especially; will support and propagate the message of pornography with every mechanism and machinery available, but “Pornographic activities have severely damaged social style, polluted the social environment and harmed the physical and psychological health of young people”. (Chinese health official). Therefore for the sake of posterity; psychological, emotional and social health of individuals should be prioritized at the expense of economic benefits.
Pornographic activities have been rampant online in recent years. The internet has been a very effective tool for paedophiles and sexual offenders. They now seek victims in chat rooms. The internet is presently the greatest propagator of pornography.
In African countries, especially in countries without laid down laws that counters and prohibits pornography, CD’s and DVD is a great source of pornography. It is also known that most of these CD’s and DVD’s are pirated. About 98% of these materials originate from the west (Europe and America). Since it’s quite easy for the pirates to reproduce these explicit materials and since enforcement is non-existent, these materials have been highly proliferated. As a result, the consequences as earlier stated are becoming rampant in proportion to the rate of spread. The increase in rates of HIV and pregnancy amongst children in some African countries is attributable to pornography.
Perceiving pornography as a normal pastime is visceral and immature; therefore the war against pornography should start within our minds. Some soul searching could expose the moral and ethical erosion of the mind which is a consequence of addiction to pornography. Getting over this addiction requires maturity and virtuousness of the mind. People of high virtue can easily overcome the urge for pornography.
Better still, the Governments of Africa can play a major role in the war against pornography, The Chinese government has made commendable efforts against pornography, the Gulf States too continue to wage war against pornography. Their efforts are commendable. Even the U.S government is waging war against child pornography. African countries should not follow on in this case; they should move ahead and teach the world the truth about pornography.
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