Do You Use Porn? | American Porn

FRONTLINE

Why do you think people use porn? Is porn something bad, something good, or can it be both? The following survey asked readers of this "American Porn" site about these issues. In addition, if they were willing to, readers could answer a few questions about whether they used porn themselves, and why or why not.

Click here to read the results of the survey which was conducted over a two month period following FRONTLINE's first broadcast of "American Porn" in February 2002.

This survey was prepared by researchers at The Kinsey Institute, an international leader in scholarship, teaching and service in sexuality, gender and reproduction. The results of the survey will help inform the scientific community and policymakers about the opinions and attitudes of the American people regarding the use of porn.

Please note, by the word "porn" we mean all depictions of erotic behavior or materials with an explicit sexual theme (for example, pictures, movies, or stories).

1. Would you say porn is "bad"? Select the reasons why. (You can select more than one answer)
	It is offensive and degrading
	It undermines sexual relationships
	It influences people to commit sexual crimes, including rape
	It leads to a breakdown in community morals
	It violates religious principles
	It confirms stereotypes of men, women, and/or of what sex really is about
	It can lead from bad to worse (e.g., sex addiction)
	Other reasons

2. Would you say porn is "good"? Select the reasons why. (Again, you can select more than one answer)
	It can educate people
	It can improve relationships
	It can lead to more open attitudes about (one's own) sexuality
	It offers a harmless outlet for unconventional or other private fantasies
	It is a socially beneficial form of artistic self-expression
	Other reasons

3. Why do you think people use porn? (Check all that apply)
	Out of curiosity
	To entertain themselves
	To distract themselves
	To sexually arouse themselves and/or others
	To masturbate/for physical release
	Because it easier than having sex with their partner
	Because it depicts things they cannot find in real life
	To improve their mood when they are sad, anxious, stressed, or angry
	Because they don't have a sexual partner
	To educate themselves
	Because they have a stronger sexual "drive" than their partner
	Because it can improve their relationships with others
	Because they can fantasize about things they would not necessarily want in real life
	Other reasons

*4. How often have you viewed sexual images (e.g., photos of nude men or women, couples engaging in sex) in magazines or on video/DVD during the past month?*
	Not once, and I have never before
	Not once, but I have in the past
	One or two times
	Once a week
	A few times a week
	Once a day
	Several times a day

*5. How often did you view sexual images on the Internet (e.g., visit erotic websites or newsgroups) during the past month?*
	Not once, and I have never before
	Not once, but I have in the past
	One or two times
	Once a week
	A few times a week
	Once a day
	Several times a day

*6. How often did you read sexual stories on the Internet, in books or magazines during the past month?*
	Not once, and I have never before
	Not once, but I have in the past
	One or two times
	Once a week
	A few times a week
	Once a day
	Several times a day
If you answered "Not once, and I have never before" to all of the three questions above, please continue to question 10.

7. If you use pornography, or used it in the past, why do or did you use it? (Check all that apply)
	Out of curiosity
	To distract myself
	To sexually arouse myself and/or others
	To masturbate/for physical release
	Because it easier than having sex with my partner
	Because it depicts things I cannot find in real life
	To improve my mood when I am sad, anxious, stressed, or angry
	Because I don't have a sexual partner
	To educate myself
	Because I have a stronger sexual "drive" than my partner
	Because it improves my relationship with others
	Because I can fantasize about things I would not necessarily want in real life
	Other reasons

*8. If you use pornography, how much time per week did you spend on it during the past month?*
	I did not use porn during the past month
	Less than one hour
	1-5 hours
	6-15 hours
	16-25 hours
	26-50 hours
	More than 50 hours

9. If you use pornography, how do you feel about this? (Check all that apply)
	I am fine with my porn use
	I am fine with it, but my partner doesn't (or would not) like me using porn
	I feel bad while I'm using porn
	I feel bad after using porn
	I have tried to stop using it but I can't
If you answered the previous questions, you can skip the next two questions and continue to question 12.

10. If you used pornography in the past, but not anymore, why do you not use it anymore? (Check all that apply)
	Change in life circumstances (new job, new relationship, children)
	I spent too much time, or money, on it
	It was starting to affect my relationships with others, my work, or other activities
	It led from bad to worse (e.g., I became "addicted")
	I got bored with it
	Other reasons


11. If you have never used pornography, why not? (Check all that apply):
	I am not interested in it
	It is offensive and degrading
	It violates my religious principles
	It goes against my values
	It confirms stereotypes of men, women, and/or of what sex really is about
	I do not have the privacy, money, or time for it
	Other reasons
The following questions ask you for some background information. Please understand that you can skip questions if you feel uncomfortable answering them, but this information will make the findings of the survey more valuable. If you prefer not to answer the questions, you can skip to the end of the survey by clicking here.

12. How old are you?
	18 - 20 years
	21 - 30 years
	31 - 40 years
	41 - 50 years
	51 - 60 years
	61 - 70 years
	71 or older

13. Are you:
	male
	female

14. In what country do you live?


15. Are you employed at a paid job?
	Yes, full-time
	Yes, part-time
	No, I am unemployed
	No, I am a temporary/seasonal worker

16a. Did you complete high school?
	yes
	no

16b. Have you attended college, technical school, or university?
	yes
	no

16c. Are you still attending college, technical school, or university?
	yes
	no

17. How important is religion in your life?
	Very important
	Important
	Slightly important
	Not important at all

18. What is your ethnicity?
	Black; African American
	White
	Puerto Rican
	Mexican
	Spanish American
	Hispanic, other
	Native American; American Indian
	Asian; Oriental
	Mixed race
	Other

19. Are you currently:
	In an exclusive/monogamous sexual relationship (that is, we have sex only with each other)
	In a non-exclusive/non-monogamous sexual relationship (that is, one or both of us has sex with other partners)
	Not in a sexual relationship
	I prefer not to tell

20. If you currently are in a sexual relationship, for how long have you been in this relationship?
	1 - 6 months
	6 months - 1 year
	1 - 5 years
	5 - 10 years
	More than 10 years

21. What is your marital status?
	Single/Never married
	Cohabiting (Living together)
	Married
	Separated/Divorced
	Widowed

22. Which of these commonly used terms would you use to describe yourself?
	Heterosexual, Straight
	Bisexual
	Homosexual, Gay/Lesbian
	Uncertain
	Other
	I prefer not to tell

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