Is Social Status Related to Internet Pornography use? Evidence from the Early 2000’s United States

• In Event: 035 - Section on Sex and Gender Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 14. Youth and Sexuality

Abstract

While most studies on internet pornography are clinical or focus on individual’s psychological characteristics, few has explored how social status itself conditions internet pornography use. We argue that lower social status can lead to higher frequency of internet pornography use as an alternative mean of sexual release, and social bonds reduce the likelihood of internet pornography use. To test the theory, we used the nationally representative sample of the General Social Survey of the U.S. between 2000 and 2004, and employed binary logistic regression after missing data were managed by chained multiple imputations. The analyses found lower income, less education, and longer working weeks, are associated with internet pornography use in the past 30 days, while being married and frequent religious attendance is negatively related to internet pornography use, even after controlling for the opportunity and demographic variables. Other than having teenagers at home, opportunity factors including internet knowledge and computer possession are not significantly related to internet pornography use.

Author

• Xiaozhao Yousef Yang, Purdue University