My Husband Told Me He Looks at Porn Sometimes. What Do I Do?
Question by beauty and the mess: My husband told me he looks at porn sometimes. What do I do?
My husband and I are Christians and both earnestly believe that pornography is a form of adultery. I have told him I feel this way in the past, and he has agreed.
Last night, he told me that he has looked at pornography a few times since we got married a few months ago, only when he had a strong sexual urge and I wasn’t around. He explained that it is not an addiction for him by saying that he does not have a dependent personality, and it does not effect how he views sex with me. He said he does not prefer it to sex with me, and doesn’t think about it when we’re together. He said he felt really guilty about it when it happened, and he was sorry, and I forgave him, but told him it was not okay.
I have a friend whose marriage suffered greatly because her husband became addicted to pornography, and I strongly feel that it has no place in marriage. People have become really desensitized to pornography and its damage because its so accessible now, you don’t have to go into some seedy joint to get it, and no one has to know that you ever looked at it. But the fact that it’s discreet doesn’t make it right, and it doesn’t mean that it can’t hurt anyone.
My point is, I don’t think it’s okay just because it’s not an “addiction.” I am relieved that it’s not an addiction, because that should make it easier for him to kick it. I really want him to promise me he will never look at porn again, but at the same time, I don’t want to act judgmental. What can I say to him?’
If you read this and think, “what’s the big deal?” or want to suggest I watch porn with him, please do not respond.
Jordan, are you telling me to do a better job screwing my husband? You don’t know the first thing about our sex life.
I notice that guys are the only ones arguing that I need to “grow up” and that it’s “normal.” All the women who have responded to this have been very empathetic.
I don’t need to grow acceptance of a behavior my husband realizes hurts me, you need to grow some sensitivity, Jordan.
Gerrid, do you literally think he has NO CHOICE in the matter? Especially since he professes to believe the same things I do? I don’t want to throw it in his face every five minutes, it’s just that we both know we’re not done talking about it… he keeps asking me how I’m doing and being really caring, and I am really cautious about telling him how I feel because I don’t want him to think he can’t be honest with me… You have no idea what you’re talking about, and I think that more than anything, you have a bitterness towards the Christian faith because you believe it to be judgmental. I’m sorry that you’ve had bad experiences, but that being said, you don’t know me.
Old School,
You have berated me for so many things, I’m not sure where to begin. First, I would like to say that I am not suggesting that he has an addiction. If you’d read carefully, you’d see that I expressed relief that this does not seem to be an addiction, but I still think it’s wrong. I also do not think my husband has interest in watching porn with me, but I have been looking at other people’s responses to questions like this, and I wanted to bypass such responses because you’re right, he wouldn’t have interest in that, nor would I. Finally, I think if you look at my post next to your comment, you may have an eye-opening revelation about hypocrisy. You accuse me of being judgmental while you tear me to pieces over experiencing emotions concerning something that it is perfectly normal for me to be upset by.
I did not write this to launch a personal attack on your probable use of pornography. It’s just not ok in the context of my marriage. Don’t get so defensive.
Best answer:
Answer by Caolan C
Obviously he does prefer it or he wouldn’t be looking at it. Christians are funny creatures. They just don’t “get it”, lawl.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!