Pornography and the Silent Erosion of Marital Bonds

Pornography is often dismissed as “private entertainment,” but its impact on marriages is profound. Studies consistently demonstrate a correlation between pornography use and increased marital conflict, decreased sexual satisfaction, and higher divorce risk.

For example, a longitudinal study by Perry & Schleifer (2018) found that married individuals who began using pornography were more than twice as likely to divorce compared to those who did not. Another meta-analysis shows that frequent porn use is associated with lower relational happiness and commitment (Miller et al., 2019).

Choose love, not pixels. Protect your marriage.

Why does this happen?

1. Unrealistic expectations → Porn rewires sexual perception, making real intimacy feel less exciting.

2. Secrecy and betrayal → Hidden use creates mistrust and emotional distance.

3. Reduced empathy → Habitual users show diminished capacity for emotional connection.

   
   

Marriage thrives on trust, intimacy, and authenticity. Pornography undermines all three. If left unaddressed, it can silently destroy the sacred bond between spouses.

True love requires presence, not pixels. Protecting marriage from pornography is protecting the family itself.

References:

• Perry SL, Schleifer C. Pornography use and marital dissolution: Evidence from longitudinal data. J Sex Res. 2018;55(3):284–296.

• Miller DJ, McBain K, Li W, Raggatt P. Pornography, preference for pornographic stimuli, and relationship satisfaction: A meta-analysis. J Sex Res. 2019;56(6):731–746.