Pornography: What Is Your Opinion?

Question by doc j: Pornography: What is your opinion?
I have been assigned a rhetorical essay assignment in my upper division English class. My argument focuses the consequences of viewing pornography excessively. Professional opinion on this topic varies widely. In your view, is frequent viewing of pornography an addiction similar to drug abuse, gambling, and the alike, or is it merely a matter of choice?
What I’m struggling with is the fact that by definition, the term addiction “involves severe trauma resulting from cessation.”

Best answer:

Answer by Gwen
I think the term addiction is the right one for viewing pornography. not just viewing it excessively, but watching/reading it AT ALL.

Your thought processes are a matter of choice. You CAN control your thoughts, and emotions. Watching porn is a choice, but shows a mind that has given up attempts at control. Such minds are incapable of stopping, and forcible cessation with such an attitude WILL cause severe trauma.

That makes it an addiction. The choice to stop, as with all addictions, MUST come from within.

Addictions definition:

The term “addiction” is used in many contexts to describe an obsession, compulsion, or excessive psychological dependence, such as: drug addiction (e.g. alcoholism), video game addiction, crime, money, work addiction, compulsive overeating, problem gambling, computer addiction, nicotine addiction, pornography addiction.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!