When Studies Contradict

A recent study by researchers at the University of Montreal seems to indicate that all the deleterious effects so many have claimed pornography has on interpersonal relationships just aren't present. A report in the Calgary Sun is pretty clear that (a) consumption of pornography is prevalent among men (they report they couldn't find any men in their twenties who had not viewed pornographic material, at least a little); (b) those who consume pornography are able to maintain the distinction between the fantastic world on the paper or screen and the real people with whom they are involved, are more likely to support women's equal rights, and understand, in general, that pornographic images have no relationship to their real lives.

The Washington Post asked a researcher who wrote a book claiming all sorts of deleterious effects to write an Outlook piece. She uses the space to insinuate the research at Montreal isn't as thorough as her own, and thus the conclusions aren't as reliable as hers.

Yet, all she has to offer are anecdotes from people who approach her with their own horror stories. She admits "This is hardly solid lab research." But then continues directly:

But it is one of many signs of pornography's hidden impact.

"Hidden impact". How horrible! Except, there is research that shows there is no such "hidden impact". While it might be the case there are those who are impacted negatively by pornography, it might well be their relationships had other issues. The Montreal study manages, at least, to offer some perspective on those persons and couples whose lives are not negatively impacted by pornography.

Clearly, this is an area where research needs to be constructed that satisfies more than merely ideological concerns, and focuses attention on the range of responses. While the stories Ms. Paul relates of the bad effects of porn are certainly sad, the question remains open (and she cannot admit it, with her talk of "hidden impacts"): are these "effects" statistically significant, correlated in some manner to watching pornography? Relating sad tales of couples on the rocks, and blaming porn, is not, as she admits, "solid research". Yet, that is all she has to offer - anonymous emails, stories offered with changed names.

Since there hasn't been a refereed study of the effects of pornography that shows any serious deleterious social or interpersonal effects in any statistically significant way, the Montreal study is hardly an outlier. It seems to me Ms. Paul's claims are far more questionable.