I have posted this in Feminism Chat because I want to protect my sons and I want to protect girls they might date as they get older. They are currently pre-school / primary school age.
So, I have never watched / seen much porn. I’m a woman in my 40s. Many years ago I saw the odd video at a friend’s house and it seemed to me to be bored women being shagged over the kitchen counter by the pizza delivery guy they’d let into the house 2 mins earlier. Not my cup of tea but didn’t seem massively harmful to viewers (although I know the women involved may not have had many choices).
But I have read that porn has changed - it’s more violent and more misogynistic. Or maybe it always was but I never saw it. It’s also easier to access due to the internet. And the damage that can do to girls, and to boys.
My children are young but I assume at some point their friends will introduce them to porn or they’ll find it themselves. How do I help them see that it’s not a realistic view of sex? I can’t imagine they’ll listen to their mum. Obviously I’ll try to talk about consent, and I already do (‘stop tickling your brother, he’s not enjoying it anymore’) but will that be enough? I try to encourage friendships with girls but the older one isn’t really interested, he just wants to be friends with boys.
Their dad and I are married and I don’t think he uses porn. If that’s relevant.
Anyone got any advice for me? Thank you.