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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how you actually vet for men who don’t watch porn?

272 replies

SharpMintBeaker · 01/01/2026 16:32

I’m not here to argue whether porn is okay, I’ve already decided it’s a dealbreaker for me. What I’m trying to figure out is: how do you tell if someone genuinely doesn’t watch it? Men online always say “I don’t watch it anymore” or “only occasionally” but how do you know it’s not just performative?

Has anyone actually dated (or married) a man who’s never been into it? Or gave it up without being guilted into it? If so, how did you know it was real?

OP posts:
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MightyGoldBear · 02/01/2026 09:59

Whilst I think everyone can agree a great majority of men watch pornography or some form of sexual content. I do think it's very damaging to have a view that absolutely all do.

We need to make room to change the narrative. So that young boys and girls grow up thinking it's not a default. Both have choice if they engage or not. We don't want to feed into the narrative that it's not just "normal" but what young boys and girls should be doing. If they dont then somehow boys are not the red hot blooded men they should be. That girls are then "vanilla" or controlling because they don't want their boyfriend getting sexual gratification from outside their relationship. Or a can't beat them join them mentality. I'm yet to meet a girl or women who has must watch pornography on their list of wants in a partner.

It's dangerous to put a blanket statement of all men do and will and if they say they don't they definitely still do. There are young boys as young as 9 to 13 addicted to pornography. They think there is no hope for them. Because "thats just what men do" plenty of forums like your brain on porn website show the utter anguish some are in over pornography use/addiction.

Boys and men are very capable of deciding for themselves they don't want to watch pornography. Some choose not to.
We don't believe women are incapable of this choice. Changing the narrative is the first steps to change.

GumFossil · 02/01/2026 09:30

LadyBlakeneysHanky · 02/01/2026 07:40

I am sad to read the posts here from women who genuinely believe their husbands/partners/ministers do not watch it. Because they’re being lied to.

All men look at porn every now and then. Some of them kid themselves they don’t really ‘use’ it because they look at it only occasionally. This is something you realise as you get older and get to know men, and yes I think it’s really sad, & that the flood of porn has corrupted our lives and spirits & that those pushing it & profiting from it are vile, vile people.

Think about sex with your partner. Does he ever look at his own penis as it moves in and out of you? That’s because of porn.

All you can do is look for a man who behaves decently to the real women in his life, wants to have sex with you regularly, & when he does so clearly wants you to enjoy it - really to enjoy it, not just put on some weird porn style performance. Then he’s probably not watching too much of it- but yes, he will be watching some.

This is a very sad viewpoint. Apart from the penis watching bit which is 😂

Anyway, back to the OP. No idea how you’d vet for this.

My husband doesn’t watch porn, watched a couple of films as a teen with mates, but it’s just not his thing. Refused to go on a couple of stags dos where strip clubs were involved. But I didn’t question him about it in the early stages of our relationship, as far as I can remember.

Justlostmybagel · 02/01/2026 09:26

ScorchingEgg · 02/01/2026 09:22

They could also be over reporting if they constantly hear ‘everyone watches it.’

But hey, let’s all bow down to your psychic powers.

That would be nice, if you could. My psychic powers are very well regarded.

Tpu · 02/01/2026 09:22

Ilovelurchers · 01/01/2026 16:49

I ask them and see what they say.

Obviously you can't know 100% if they are telling you the truth.

But it's the same as with other deal breakers, isn't it? You ascertain the truth to the best of your ability, keeping in mind always that they could possibly be lying.....

This is the case for me.

was with XH for 30 years and never saw any evidence that he watched porn, even at the very end.

Since we split it is a conversation I have fairly early on, in a cafe/walk environment.

I can’t know for certain porn isn’t a part of their lives, but I can be clear that it 100% is not part of mine.

ScorchingEgg · 02/01/2026 09:22

Justlostmybagel · 02/01/2026 08:56

I don't have a distaste for men at all. Personally, porn doesn't bother me. I just know that the vast vast majority of men, like 99%, will be watching it.

I imagine the surveys say 75% due to a few factors like underreporting, or simply not considering what they watch to be "real" porn because they're looking at it on Instagram or tiktok, and not through a porn site.

They could also be over reporting if they constantly hear ‘everyone watches it.’

But hey, let’s all bow down to your psychic powers.

PaisleyPrit · 02/01/2026 09:19

landlordhell · 02/01/2026 07:32

I don’t think DH watches it. We’ve been married 29 years and it wasn’t a thing when he was the age to start- more like magazines in the top shelf!!
He doesn’t have the time or the privacy. Also don’t you need a VPN now?

Edited

VPNs are often free apps, they’re not prohibitive at all.

And a lot of porn isn’t blocked from the Online Safety Act and is visible without a VPN. Google Images are not affected, and plenty of smaller porn sites haven’t complied and don’t have age verification.

Unless a man never uses the toilet, goes to bed at the exact same times as his partner, and generally anything by himself, it’s not possible to know.

I would also add that most people are anti- things but still consume them, like bacon and factory farming. iPhones and modern day slavery. Palm oil in foods. Plastic in everything.

If you’re horny, you might not want to watch a grubby full-length porn video, but you may look up attractive women topless or in bikinis.

Personally, I don’t come from a place of trying to rain on anyone’s parade. I’ve had issues with porn in my relationship and hated it. We managed to work through it and it doesn’t cause issues anymore. I’ve accepted that you can never know if it’s discreet, and not affecting the relationship, certainly without becoming controlling.

ChamonixMountainBum · 02/01/2026 09:14

'Think about sex with your partner. Does he ever look at his own penis as it moves in and out of you? That’s because of porn.'

WTF 😂

Cleikumstovies · 02/01/2026 09:08

You cannot get into his head.
Who does he vote for when alone in the voting booth?
Do you trust?

Justlostmybagel · 02/01/2026 08:56

ScorchingEgg · 02/01/2026 08:38

I think the women who are saying all men watch it are showing a real distaste for men as a class. What other thing can you say that all men do? Do you realise how ridiculous that sounds? Men are not a homogenous lump any more than women are - they are individuals who have preferences, likes and dislikes, morals and values. The bizarre objectification (yes really) of men in this thread says a lot about the people making those comments.

I don't have a distaste for men at all. Personally, porn doesn't bother me. I just know that the vast vast majority of men, like 99%, will be watching it.

I imagine the surveys say 75% due to a few factors like underreporting, or simply not considering what they watch to be "real" porn because they're looking at it on Instagram or tiktok, and not through a porn site.

Branleuse · 02/01/2026 08:55

I don't think you can vet for it really, because majority of men are not going to be entirely honest about their porn use.
I know there will be plenty that don't watch it. There are a lot more who will say they don't, but will secretly consume it occasionally and with shame, and there are those who don't feel ashamed, but wouldn't be honest either and just downplay it.

I think that in the age of the Internet, it's so tied up in male culture, that you'd be better off just avoiding men in this respect.

landlordhell · 02/01/2026 08:54

Pifflepafflewifflewaffle · 02/01/2026 08:43

What an awful perspective.

Quite. It’s sad that some women have had such low life male examples.

Wellthisisrevealing · 02/01/2026 08:48

I used to have what was a precursor to only fans before it existed. Firstly I'd say there isn't a type, I've seen all sorts of people engaging with my content/me. You name it, I saw it! Including churchy men as previously discussed and feminist men. I had direct contact with some people so know more about them, but i would also say after something went vaguely viral (before it was a thing!) i was surprised at the level of family men in real life that surrounded me in everyday life that deliberately saught me out eg life long family friends of my parents, partners of friends, old teachers etc

There is a sliding scale of porn imo and you have to decide where you sit on whats your line. For example
Seeking out personalised contact
Paying for generic content
1:1 webcamming
Personalised vids + Pics
Free General explicit videos

Then accessing porn on generic sites etc, all the way down to people using unsexualised photos from catalogues or even friends

I would have less of a problem of a partner viewing a porn site for example, then I would if they were using a bikini photo of a friend. Porn isn't a homogeneous lump of things, I know plenty of people who "dont use porn" but do look at lingerie pics for example.

Pifflepafflewifflewaffle · 02/01/2026 08:43

LadyBlakeneysHanky · 02/01/2026 07:40

I am sad to read the posts here from women who genuinely believe their husbands/partners/ministers do not watch it. Because they’re being lied to.

All men look at porn every now and then. Some of them kid themselves they don’t really ‘use’ it because they look at it only occasionally. This is something you realise as you get older and get to know men, and yes I think it’s really sad, & that the flood of porn has corrupted our lives and spirits & that those pushing it & profiting from it are vile, vile people.

Think about sex with your partner. Does he ever look at his own penis as it moves in and out of you? That’s because of porn.

All you can do is look for a man who behaves decently to the real women in his life, wants to have sex with you regularly, & when he does so clearly wants you to enjoy it - really to enjoy it, not just put on some weird porn style performance. Then he’s probably not watching too much of it- but yes, he will be watching some.

What an awful perspective.

Pifflepafflewifflewaffle · 02/01/2026 08:41

CoolFineDoneWicked · 01/01/2026 22:45

@Pifflepafflewifflewaffle
so yeah, look for how he speaks about women, or other marginalised groups, look for anything he says that might suggest being a fan of power play, etc, and I suspect you’ll get some clues.

Some women seem to have such bizarre ideas about men and their sexuality. Most men who use / watch porn will have no interest at all in recreating it with their partners, and even the most respectful, feminist-sympathising, decent men will happily watch the stuff and never give any indication of it. They're not all gooners and pervs. For most of them, it's just brief background stimulation while they get off before falling asleep. They don't even connect it with their real-life relationships.

I have this perspective after sleeping with several men who would try to choke me without consent the first time we had sex, so I would have to disagree.

Wellthisisrevealing · 02/01/2026 08:40

bournish · 02/01/2026 08:30

I find it really odd that so many people are so adamant that all men use porn. The surveys we have indicate that is not true. Yes there might be underreporting in the survey but it’s certainly going to be more accurate than your anecdotal knowledge.

A huge majority do though. At least 75% of men own up to it

Just the top 3 porn sites of thousands and thousands of sites has more hits than Wikipedia, chatgpt, Twitter Instagram etc. Youd be amazed how high up pornsites are in viewing figures for the uk compared to other big sites

That doesn't include the fact that somepeople will be on google, reddit looking at porn which pushes them higher up than the traditional sites

ScorchingEgg · 02/01/2026 08:38

I think the women who are saying all men watch it are showing a real distaste for men as a class. What other thing can you say that all men do? Do you realise how ridiculous that sounds? Men are not a homogenous lump any more than women are - they are individuals who have preferences, likes and dislikes, morals and values. The bizarre objectification (yes really) of men in this thread says a lot about the people making those comments.

bournish · 02/01/2026 08:30

I find it really odd that so many people are so adamant that all men use porn. The surveys we have indicate that is not true. Yes there might be underreporting in the survey but it’s certainly going to be more accurate than your anecdotal knowledge.

Justlostmybagel · 02/01/2026 08:05

ALL single men watch porn, unless they're asexual/have no sex drive.

MOST partnered men watch porn.

There may be a small number of men, who are in relationships, that don't watch it because their partner has asked them not to, but only if they're getting regular sex. Otherwise, that will go out of the window very quickly.

MJEBinAthens · 02/01/2026 08:01

In the 90s, prior to getting married to my husband in 2000, I was with an older man for 6 years and for 4 of those we lived together. Towards the end of the relationship I found 3 video cassettes he’d rented from the blue section of the video club we were members in, but on a separate card I knew nothing about! He’d hidden them in the bottom of the wardrobe and I came across them whilst putting something away. His general attitude to porn was different to mine…. We had discussed it. Ok, no biggie. The thing that got me was not the porn so much as the intentional sneaking about…. Can’t say that it went down well with me and it really put me off. My thoughts being that if you’ll go to that length of hiding stuff from me, what else will you do?

CinnamonBuns67 · 02/01/2026 07:59

I think it's like anything else people find unacceptable within a relationship, be upfront about your boundary, let them decide if they wish to agree to accepting and sticking to that boundary, trust that they will, and if they don't leave.

landlordhell · 02/01/2026 07:55

Looking at their penis during sex does not mean they watch porn. 😂

LadyBlakeneysHanky · 02/01/2026 07:40

I am sad to read the posts here from women who genuinely believe their husbands/partners/ministers do not watch it. Because they’re being lied to.

All men look at porn every now and then. Some of them kid themselves they don’t really ‘use’ it because they look at it only occasionally. This is something you realise as you get older and get to know men, and yes I think it’s really sad, & that the flood of porn has corrupted our lives and spirits & that those pushing it & profiting from it are vile, vile people.

Think about sex with your partner. Does he ever look at his own penis as it moves in and out of you? That’s because of porn.

All you can do is look for a man who behaves decently to the real women in his life, wants to have sex with you regularly, & when he does so clearly wants you to enjoy it - really to enjoy it, not just put on some weird porn style performance. Then he’s probably not watching too much of it- but yes, he will be watching some.

landlordhell · 02/01/2026 07:32

I don’t think DH watches it. We’ve been married 29 years and it wasn’t a thing when he was the age to start- more like magazines in the top shelf!!
He doesn’t have the time or the privacy. Also don’t you need a VPN now?

pouletvous · 02/01/2026 07:16

You dont. They all watch it

Carla786 · 02/01/2026 04:18

ColinOfficeTrolley · 01/01/2026 19:12

My DH used to when he was younger. Well, we're old so it was when porn mags were found in bushes lol.

The industry is a fucking disgrace and he doesn't watch it and hasn't for as long as I am aware.

He used to work in probation with domestic abuse offenders and I think this completely changed his outlook of how women are viewed and treated.

I know all these women are like 'you're kidding yourself if you think your husband doesn't watch porn' 🙄 blah blah blah, but he definitely doesn't compartmentalise women into 'mum, daughter, wife and then 'trafficked women I can watch getting fucked in every orifice so I can have a wank'

The only way you can tell is if you ask, they say no, and you trust him.

Re women in porn being trafficked: I am aware of serious issues in the industry and even if everyone were theoretically happy & consenting I still don't think industries commodifying sex are good.

Otoh I think it's probably true that some women do enjoy working in porn. Ofc surveys etc need to be treated with caution but these 2 seem to indicate at least some.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/homo-consumericus/201212/are-porn-actresses-damaged-goods/amp

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/homo-consumericus/201405/why-do-women-become-porn-actresses

From what I've read of happy hooker type escorts, who tend to have conventional good looks, other money sources, education, high sex drive and desire to experiment and ability to vet clients, I suspect women who enjoy working in porn are probably similar. A very distinct group who should not be used to legitimise porn as a whole.

Are Porn Actresses “Damaged Goods”?

Anti-porn advocates often proclaim that porn actresses are “damaged goods.” Supposedly they're more likely to: (1) have been victims of childhood sexual abuse, (2) be psychologically damaged and (3) use alcohol and other substances to numb the pain. A...

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/homo-consumericus/201212/are-porn-actresses-damaged-goods/amp