Discovering Porn (On Your Boyfriend’s Computer)

We talked about it. And, it reigns up there as one of the most uncomfortable conversations I think we both have ever had. He was not defensive, nor was he angry. In fact most of the time he was blushing, like a little kid whose mom found Playboy under his bed (note: I do NOT want to be anyone’s mom, but this was the emotion I felt). After a while a few things came out of him and of me:

Me first:

  • Are you doing this because you are unhappy sexually with us?
  • Are there things you watch here that you want to do, but have been unable to initiate with me, don’t want to do with me, or that I do not inspire in you?
  • Do you see me as your “wife type” and these are your “vixens” and the two are totally separate?
  • Are you looking at young girls that would be considered illegal?
  • Are you looking at gay sex with two men? (Let it be known, I have nothing against gay sex. My issue here is that if my boyfriend is struggling with his sexuality I would rather he do it outside a monogamous heterosexual relationship).
  • Are you looking at anything that involves any kind of violence? Animals?

I gave a disclaimer before I asked these. I said, look, I know you are a good person. But my sister had a friend whose husband was caught online chatting with an illegally young girl, and no one would have ever guessed, including the wife. These stories are out there. There are people who look at porn in an unhealthy way. I need to know that this is not what we are talking about here and you need to be honest with me.

He said:

  • Every one does it. It is normal.
  • He does it every once in a while. It goes through stages.
  • He loves our sex life and is not doing this because he is unhappy with us.
  • He does not look at anything scary, illegal, or gay.
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11.17.2009
Kiandra Young
To Don, what is she supposed to do when she needs advice? Why shouldn't she go to her friend for help? Why is sex so taboo we can't ask for help when we need it? She said she discussed what was bothering her, which was really more of a relationship issue than a sex issue anyway. She didn't say she shared all the intimate details of their sex life with her friends. And even if she did, maybe that is what is the way the two of them do things. I often talk about my sex life with my friends in front of my bf, because in our relationship, that is what we have established as acceptable. And when there is something about our relationship or sex that bothers him, he will often go to his mum for advice. It does not mean it is a breach of privacy. What you said seems to be based far more on your personal experience, than what she actually said. And if you are in a good relationship, you should discuss with your partner what you are/are not comfortable having them share with others.
11.17.2009
Kiandra Young
I think it's pretty normal for men and women to watch porn occassionally, just like it would be normal to notice an attractive person who walked past you on the street. It's not cheating as long as you are only looking and you are loyal to and honest with your partner, but when he hides it from you, it sends the message that there is something worth hiding, that he is emotionally disloyal to you and there is something wrong with the relationship/your sex life he hasn't discussed with you. This may not be the case and he may just fel uncomfortable broaching the topic as it has always been something secret and private since his teens, but it can still hurt to find your parter has been keeping things from you.
11.17.2009
Kiandra Young
To Danielle, who says girls don't look at porn? That's a sterotype and a double standard. I watch porn, and know many other women that do as well. I think it is important to communicate. I think the most hurtful thing is if he hides it from you as if it's some sort of secret. I know my bf watches porn on occassion, butI i was hurt to find that he had a stash of magazines he hadn't told me about. I wouldn't have had an issue with it if he had told me. In fact, he had shown me one of them before, but had given me the impression it was a once off, and i had no problem with it. He sometimes has to go away for a couple of weeks at a time for work, so i can see why he might want them. When he feels as if he needs to hide it from you, it makes it seem as if it is something to be ashamed of, like some sort of sordid affair. He is fantising about and getting off to other women, and he feels he is doing something wrong. That is what is truely worrying.
11.15.2009
Don
Did your boyfriend give permission for you to discuss this very private situation with your girlfriend? How about permission to post it online? Women feel violated and insecure with their man watching porn online, yet don't give a moment's thought to exposing his private life to their friends. Friends who know him. His secrets, insecurities, habits, favorite position, noises, even how big his genitals are, are seen as fair game. Discussed without thought or regard for his privacy, modesty and dignity. And not the anonymous distance of the internet or magazine, but with people he'll run into. Now that's pornographic.
11.10.2009
Crystal Lanning
I also wanted to say to each their own. It really depends on how open minded you are when it comes to sex period. I don't believe that you should be so insecure when a guy's looking at porn. At least he's having sex with you right? Everyone probably addresses this issue at some point or another. Especially long term committed couples. Good Luck!
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