the effects of watching porn and masturbation?

[robvalue]

Morally, masturbation is completely fine in my opinion. It doesn't hurt anyone else, and it's a completely natural and healthy way to relieve frustration. It has been shown to have health benefits. I've always done it. I was made to feel guilty about it as a child, which I think is wrong. But then I had repressed parents who didn't teach me anything regarding sexual activities. It has had no ill effects on me that I'm aware of. For people who have no other form of sexual release, refusing to masturbate can cause problems.

Like anything, moderation is the key. If you spend all your time doing it and become obsessed, this is a problem in itself. Anything that takes over your life is going to detract from and affect other aspects, including sexual experiences. But really, if the only effects are that you would rather masturbate than have a relationship with someone else, that's not hurting anyone.

Porn is rather more complicated. I'm aware there are many issues involved, and I can understand a reluctance to use it from a moral perspective. Personally, if I have any reason to suspect the people involved are anything other than free and willing, then I don't want to watch it. Of course it's hard to be totally sure that no sort of coercion has gone on at any point. I'm all for any legal changes that help protect people from harm, although I'm also against laws which would tell people they're not allowed to star in porn.