Have You Talked with Your Daughter About Porn?
By Maia Christopherson
Society and stereotypes would tell us that porn is only a guy problem. Because of this, parents are careful to talk with their sons about porn but aren’t as keen on talking to their daughters about the subject. This divide is problematic, because despite what many think, porn is an issue for girls, and they need to be armed against it.
Girls Watch Porn Too
Boys and girls alike are hardwired with sexual desire. It is ignorant to think that women are devoid of that basic human drive for sex. One of the reasons porn is so enticing to many different people is because sexual desire is an aspect of our human biology.
One of the main reasons girls and boys alike begin to struggle with pornography is because of how accessible it is. Many kids today find porn through curious internet searches, friends, or by accident.
Girls Feel More Shame
Many girls have an especially hard time overcoming their pornography addiction because they feel more shame. Girls feel this added shame because they believe that their addiction is “a guy problem.” This extra shame can keep girls from being honest about their struggles and keep them from getting the help that they need. By opening up the porn conversation with your daughter, you can help her feel like she can talk with you for help if ever she does fall into the trap of pornography.
What to Discuss with Your Daughter
If more parents acknowledge that porn can affect their daughters, more girls could be saved from pornography addiction. Having a conversation with your daughter about the dangers of pornography and being aware of her technology habits could make all the difference.
When talking with your daughter about porn, some key points to keep in mind are:
- Make sure that she understands what sex is. Many teens turn to porn for information when their parents don’t give them basic information about sex.
- Explain to her how dangerous and toxic porn is. Tell her that she should not look up porn even for curiosity’s sake since porn is highly addictive and not only be damaging to her but to her relationships as well.
- Most importantly, make sure that your daughter knows that you love her no matter what. Let her know that she can talk with you if ever she does get into porn.