By Floyd Godfrey, PhD

The Objectification of Women Through Pornography
Pornography addiction significantly alters how men perceive women, leading to the objectification of women rather than viewing them as whole individuals. Chester (2010) states, “Porn encourages men to view women as objects to be consumed” (p. 20). This objectification reinforces unhealthy attitudes and behaviors, making it difficult for men to form genuine emotional connections. Research by Patrick Carnes has demonstrated that pornography use can rewire the brain, reinforcing compulsive patterns that reduce women to mere sources of sexual gratification rather than partners in meaningful relationships.

Distorted Perception and Emotional Detachment
Repeated exposure to pornography influences cognitive schemas, leading men to associate women primarily with sexual imagery. As one individual in Chester’s (2010) research, Jack, admitted, “Porn changed the way I perceived women. Instead of complete people, I would see them as lust objects there to satisfy me” (p. 20). This type of thinking erodes the ability to form deep and healthy relationships. Psychological studies indicate that such detachment can manifest in real-life interactions, where men struggle to appreciate women beyond their physical attributes. This condition is exacerbated by dopamine-driven reinforcement loops that make addiction more entrenched.

The Spillover Effect on Real-Life Relationships
The impact of pornography addiction extends beyond private consumption; it influences workplace dynamics, social interactions, and romantic relationships. Chester (2010) highlights this when he states, “This attitude then spills over into the rest of our lives” (p. 20). The American Psychological Association has also observed that the sexualization of girls not only harms women but also prevents men from forming healthy relationships with them:

“The sexualization of girls is not just shattering the lives of girls and women, it is preventing boys and young men from relating to girls and women as complex human beings with so much to offer them. It is preventing boys from forming healthy friendships and working relationships with girls and women” (Chester, 2010, p. 20).

This confirms that habitual pornography consumption rewires male perceptions, making it difficult to engage in professional or social interactions without underlying sexual bias.

The Struggle to Build Genuine Connections
Men who become entrenched in pornography addiction often find it difficult to establish and maintain meaningful relationships. As Colin states in Chester’s (2010) study, “I’ve found it hard to form good relationships with attractive young women as I’ve found it hard to disassociate them from the images I’ve viewed” (p. 20). This illustrates the challenge of overcoming the conditioned responses built through excessive pornography consumption. Don Hilton’s research further supports this by demonstrating how pornography alters neural pathways, making it difficult for men to see women outside of a hypersexualized framework.

The Path to Recovery
Therapeutic interventions, such as those pioneered by Doug Weiss and Mark Laaser, emphasize cognitive restructuring and emotional healing. These approaches help men regain healthy perceptions of women, fostering genuine connections based on respect and mutual understanding. Recovery often involves behavioral therapies, accountability groups, and structured programs designed to help individuals break free from the neurological cycles of addiction. Through intentional effort and professional guidance, men can reclaim their ability to form authentic, non-objectifying relationships with women.

Floyd Godfrey, PhD is a Clinical Sexologist and a Certified Sex Addiction Specialist. He has been guiding clients since 2000 and currently speaks and provides consulting and mental health coaching across the globe. To learn more about Floyd Godfrey, PhD please visit his website: www.FloydGodfrey.com

References

Chester, T. (2010). Closing the window: Steps to living porn free. IVP Books.