Lehigh University Examines the Role of Pornography in Forming Opinions on Gender Violence

The Office of Gender Violence Education and Support at Lehigh University in Bethlehem has developed a new program that allows students to examine the role of pornography in shaping beliefs and behaviors about sexual relations.

Brooke DeSipio, director of the Office of Gender Violence Education and Support says that “often people use pornography as a form of sex education. And unfortunately, pornography can become the sole source of sex education that often shapes ideas about sexuality and human sexual behavior.” Dr. DeSipio added that viewing pornography is often done by an individual and what is viewed is not openly discussed. Thus, she says, “there is no social learning theory that would suggest that certain behaviors are offensive, violent, or even criminal.”

Dr. DeSipio along with graduate assistant Dana Gallant developed a template for discussion groups on this topic entitled “Popcorn and Porn: A Critical Analysis of the Role Pornography Plays in Sexuality Education and Gender Violence.” After students at Lehigh attended workshops on the topic, Dr. DeSipio found that they had benefited from the issues raised.