From obsession to objectification: The ripple effect of men’s pornography addiction on women
For adolescents whose understanding of relationships is still developing, pornography which normalises aggressive sexual behaviour and the objectification of women can permanently distort the perception of healthy intimacy
Last July, a 13-year-old Faridpur girl went to bathe in their pond, but she did not return home alive. No, she did not drown. Her 16-year-old cousin, driven by what police described as pornography addiction, lured her to a jute field, where he forcefully showed her explicit videos before raping and strangling her to death.
The rapist's mobile phone, according to the police, contained numerous pornographic contents. This tragic incident reveals a disturbing truth about how pornography consumption can escalate into real-world violence against women.
The case from Faridpur is not an isolated incident. It represents a growing concern about how pornography shapes young minds and contributes to violence against women.
When law enforcement officials cite pornography addiction as a driving factor in such heinous crimes, society must confront an uncomfortable reality about the materials that many consider 'harmless entertainment'.
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Pornography has become the primary sex educator for many young people today. This creates a dangerous foundation for understanding relationships and intimacy. Young minds are particularly vulnerable to the messages embedded in pornographic contents. The material presents a version of sexuality that prioritises male pleasure while reducing women to mere objects of consumption.
"A large portion of our society does not have access to proper sex education, and for many people, their only exposure to such knowledge comes through pornography. The problem is pornography gives a completely misguided idea of women and promotes a distorted and unrealistic view of sexual relationships."
The teenage perpetrator in Faridpur had accumulated extensive pornographic materials on his device. This content likely normalised aggressive sexual behaviour and the objectification of women. For adolescents whose understanding of relationships is still developing, such exposure can permanently distort their perception of healthy intimacy.
Research consistently shows that early exposure to pornography correlates with increased aggression towards women. The material often depicts scenarios where women's consent is unclear or entirely absent. Young viewers may internalise these dynamics as normal aspects of sexual relationships.
The ripple effects on women
The impact of pornography extends far beyond individual consumption. Women bear the brunt of a society increasingly influenced by pornographic narratives. These effects manifest in multiple dimensions, influencing women's lives.
"A large portion of our society does not have access to proper sex education, and for many people, their only exposure to such knowledge comes through pornography," said Dr Syed Md Saikh Imtiaz, professor and former chairman in the Women and Gender Studies Department at Dhaka University.
"The problem is, pornography is not sex education. It gives a completely misguided idea of women and promotes a distorted and unrealistic view of sexual relationships," he added.
This educational vacuum creates a generation of individuals whose understanding of intimacy is fundamentally flawed. Women find themselves navigating relationships with partners whose expectations have been shaped by pornographic fantasies rather than reality.
Normalisation of violence and aggression
Pornography frequently portrays violence and aggression as standard elements of sexual encounters. "Porn often portrays aggression and exaggerated behaviour as normal, which influences how people – especially men – understand intimacy," Dr Imtiaz noted.
This normalisation of violence has direct consequences on women's safety and well-being.
The case in Faridpur demonstrates how the perpetrator's actions followed patterns commonly depicted in pornographic contents. He used explicit material to manipulate his victim before committing rape and murder. This progression from consumption to violence illustrates pornography's potential role in fuelling criminal behaviour.
Women increasingly report experiences of unwanted aggressive behaviour from partners who expect them to replicate pornographic scenarios. These expectations create pressure and fear within relationships that should be built on mutual respect and consent.
Emotional and psychological consequences
The psychological impact on women extends beyond physical violence. Dr Imtiaz emphasised that men enter relationships with distorted assumptions about what women want or how they should act. When those unrealistic expectations are not met, it often leads to frustration, conflict, and emotional distance.
Women have to constantly navigate and negotiate these unrealistic expectations. They face pressure to conform to pornographic stereotypes or risk disappointing partners whose understanding of sexuality has been shaped by artificial performances. This dynamic creates emotional strain and reduces genuine intimacy within relationships.
Many women complain of getting objectified and dehumanised by partners who seem more interested in recreating pornographic scenarios than building authentic connections. The emphasis on performance over genuine intimacy leaves women feeling isolated and undervalued.
What's more troubling is how women disproportionately bear the consequences of pornography's influence on society.
While men watch obnoxious contents and develop distorted expectations, women have to cope with the resulting dysfunction in relationships and society. Pornography's influence on male behaviour results in women's exposure to violence, emotional abuse, and psychological harm.
"It is usually women who bear the emotional and psychological consequences of this disconnect," concluded Dr Imtiaz.
This article has been produced in association with Badabon Sangho.
