PORNOGRAPHY CONSUMPTION AND SEXUALITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

A QUALITATIVE STUDY

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Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56579/rei.v8i3.3039

Keywords:

Pornography, Male sexuality, Sexual risk behavior, University students

Abstract

The availability of pornographic content on the internet has intensified debates about its effects on the formation of expectations, beliefs, and sexual practices among young adults. This study analyzed how pornography consumption influences perceptions, fantasies, and sexual behaviors of male university students. This qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study employed a questionnaire administered to 100 sexually active male university students from the Federal District, Brazil. The results indicated that, although pornography expands imaginative repertoires, most participants differentiate fantasy and practice, not seeking to directly reproduce the scenes consumed. Comparisons of body image and sexual performance with pornographic actors were reported, with impacts on self-esteem and sexual confidence. Variations in sexual interest within stable relationships also emerged, attributed to discrepancies between everyday sexuality and pornographic performativity. Regarding risk behaviors, pornography consumption did not determine condom use; however, some participants associated more impulsive content with momentarily less cautious decisions. It is concluded that pornography consumption exerts a multifaceted influence on male sexual experience, being perceived both as an exploratory resource and as potentially harmful when associated with unrealistic expectations, reinforcing the importance of educational approaches that promote critical reflection and a realistic understanding of affective-sexual relationships.

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Author Biographies

Carolina Conceição Prado, University of Brasília

Ph.D. in Science Education from the Universidade de Brasília (University of Brasília). Professor at the Center for Scientific Education of the Institute of Biological Sciences (NECBio/IB), University of Brasília. Brazil, Federal District, Brasília.

Jordach Magalhães Maciel, São Leopoldo Mandic College

Master’s Student in the Graduate Program in Dentistry at São Leopoldo Mandic College, Campinas, São Paulo. Specialist in Forensic Dentistry from FAIPE College. Brazil, Federal District, Brasília. Scientific Police of the State of Goiás.

Júlio Alves da Silva-Neto, Federal University of Uberlândia

Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate Program in Psychology at the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. M.Sc. in Behavioral Sciences from the Universidade de Brasília.

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Published

2026-06-17

How to Cite

Prado, C. C., Maciel, J. M., & Silva-Neto, J. A. da. (2026). PORNOGRAPHY CONSUMPTION AND SEXUALITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY . Interdisciplinary Studies Journal, 8(3), 01–17. https://doi.org/10.56579/rei.v8i3.3039

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2026): REVISTA DE ESTUDOS INTERDISCIPLINARES

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ARTICLES

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