Even professor Joseph Fanelli knows his students watch porn. ‘Most college men view pornography, there’s no question about that,’ said Fanelli, a professor in the department of child and family studies at Syracuse University. ‘It’s prevalent because it’s hot.’A 2009 study conducted at the University of Montreal agrees. The study set out to find men in their 20s who had never seen pornography, but the experiment came to a halt when they realized that after hearing from 20 men, they were unable to find a single one.Fanelli said he sees why adult entertainment is appealing to students. ‘You’ve got young, horny guys and gorgeous pictures. You’ve got gorgeous girls doing adult things and without consequence,’ he said. ‘It’s a victimless experience. All you’re doing is watching.’Some cite boredom or a lack of a sexual partner to explain their porn-viewing habits. ‘It’s stress relieving,’ said Mitch Cohen, an undeclared sophomore. ‘You’re by yourself, no one’s bothering you.”Guys are horny all the time, whether they’re in a relationship or not,’ said Andrew Dispoto, a sophomore aerospace engineering major. Fanelli, on the other hand, said that porn, along with masturbation, can be a no-pressure situation for the man. ‘They don’t worry, ‘Am I doing enough?’, ‘Am I pleasing my partner?” Fanelli said.Some say viewing pornography is a common act, regardless of relationship status. ‘I don’t think that should be too surprising,’ said Leonard Newman, director of the social psychology department. For the girlfriend, however, her own personal security as a partner can be at stake when her boyfriend views too much porn. Newman said it could depend on how often the issue comes up between the two involved.’I’m not sure if a girl should be threatened by a boyfriend looking at porn,’ Newman said, ‘but a boyfriend looking at porn and not disguising it from his partner, it’s a violation of sensitivity.’A known abundance of porn can lead to one’s girlfriend feeling insecure and possibly lead to a serious relationship problem, Fanelli said.’Girls wonder, ‘Do I measure up?’, ‘Does he expect me to do these things?” he said. In many relationships, pornography can be damaging, specifically ‘when it’s addictive, when it’s secret, when it’s compulsive and driven,’ Fanelli said.As a couple’s therapist, Fanelli has all too often seen the consequences of pornography affect relationships. ‘I’ve seen more couples deal with pornography than being unfaithful,’ he said. ‘In every relationship where a woman feels concerned, it should be discussed.’Brian Meyer, a junior sport management major, said, ‘If you are feeling uncomfortable about pornography in your relationship, one solution might be to watch it together, especially if you’re looking to be more brave in the bedroom.”My girlfriend was really shy and timid,’ Meyer said. ‘(After watching), she was able to relax more.’ Fanelli said for some couples, porn could help their relationship. ‘As long as it’s mutual and non-exploitive, it can be enhancing.’

temoore@syr.edu