CNN Reports On Trend in 'Ethical' Porn

NEW YORK — A licensed psychotherapist writing for CNN claims that “ethical porn” is changing the way adult material is being made and consumed, and is in fact healthy. In his article, Ian Kerner maintains that the new wave of porn that feels more “real,” and is story-driven and romantic is booming — especially as far as millenials are concerned. “For many millennials, porn is less taboo and simply part of life. In some ways, that's a positive thing. Porn — or, as we call it in my field, sexually explicit Internet material or visual sexual stimuli — can be a valuable aspect of a healthy sex life," Kerner writes. Kerner disagrees with recent reports where some Republicans called porn a “public health crisis” and believes there is real value if created differently. He says that producers should eschew click heavy porn that’s being demanded by the Internet masses and instead create “better porn.” He cites the book "Ethical Porn for Dicks: A Man's Guide to Responsible Viewing Pleasure," by clinical psychologist David Ley that outlines the requirements for this new form of porn: It should be made legally, respect the rights of performers and pay them for their labor, and treat both performers and consumers as consenting, thinking individuals. Also important: Ethical porn celebrates sexuality as a diverse, complex and multifaceted component of being a human being, without judgment. But that doesn’t mean porn should be less explicit and always romantic. Director and writer Jacky St. James added, "Hardcore, rough sex can be ethical. What matters is that the performers are comfortable, consenting and respectful of everyone's boundaries." In his practice Kerner often suggests to couples in sex ruts that they try ethical porn as a way to increase sexual arousal. He points to research by neuroscientist Nicole Prause and her colleagues that's found watching more less explicit porn actually increases arousal in men and increases the desire for sex with a partner. Finding “ethical” porn however takes doing some homework. “Although there's no guarantee, you might want to start your search with the winners at the annual Feminist Porn Awards. Yes, you'll probably have to pay for it, but even with a small budget, you can build your ethical porn library into something you can feel good about enjoying,” Kerner writes.