Jay Evensen
  • Front Page
  • Opinions
  • Second Thoughts
  • Portfolio
  • Awards
  • About

Utah's pornography resolution still reverberates 

4/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Of the 474 bills and resolutions passed by the 2016 Utah Legislature, one harmless resolution on pornography seems to have gotten the most attention outside the state.

I say “harmless,” because the resolution doesn’t have the force of law. It merely proclaims pornography to be a public health hazard that leads to a host of problems, and it calls for research, public education, prevention and policy changes.

But that notion is like dropping a Mentos into a Coke bottle for a nation awash in sex and increasingly unable to accept limits.

Some have called the state hypocritical, citing statistics showing people here have a high rate of pornography consumption. The logical disconnect there is stunning. If the state had a high rate of illegal substance abuse, would it be hypocritical of politicians to declare it a public health problem?

But not all the attention has been negative. The latest edition of Time Magazine has a cover story exploring a new aspect of internet pornography addiction — a growing number of men who, scared to death by the long-term effects they are encountering, are sounding an alarm and forming support groups to help each other kick the habit.

The magazine treats Utah’s resolution respectfully, mentioning it in the same breath as Britain’s efforts to get internet providers to block pornography sites unless users specifically opt-in. It also quotes Utah State Sen. Todd Weiler, who sponsored the resolution.

When I contacted him by phone this week, Weiler made it clear he has not given up the cause. He said at least 15 other states are considering similar resolutions. That’s important, because Utah can do little alone. In fact, solutions similar to what Britain is trying to do with internet providers would require action from Congress.

“We can’t do that in Utah alone,” he said, adding, “It is something I absolutely want.”

As I wrote two months ago, Weiler must be disarming to pornography apologists who like to view their opponents as easily dismissible stereotypes. He’s an attorney who handles divorce cases. He’s articulate, he knows Supreme Court cases make it impossible to ban pornography outright, and he compares those who deny its harmful effects to climate change deniers.

“Even with global warming, you don’t have 100 percent of scientists agree,” he said. “But you don’t need to have 100 percent agreement to take action.”

About that: The Time report makes it clear that little hard-science research is being done to study the effects of this “massive social shift” on developing young minds.

Weiler cites a few reasons for this. First, it’s virtually impossible for scientists to assemble a control group consisting of people who never have been exposed to it. Second, if you were to find enough people for such a group, the study would have to expose them to pornography and measure its effects. “No ethical scientist would ever conduct a test study like that.”

He also suggests the pornography industry is funding its own studies that confuse the matter.

To the many people looking to escape their addiction, there isn’t much confusion, however. The magazine features several, and they’re clear about the harm it has done. Weiler is quick to add his own observations as a divorce attorney and a former Mormon bishop.

“I have counseled numerous people whose marriages have been undermined or destroyed by pornography, even if there was no sexual involvement with a third party,” he said.

Time said 107 million Americans now visit adult websites each month, compared to 58 million 10 years ago. One porn site claims people worldwide spent 4,392,486,580 hours watching the stuff last year, which is more than twice as long as humans are believed to have roamed the earth.

Utah lawmakers, it seems, are ahead of the curve when it comes to responding to this social behavior wave. But, like everyone else, they also are way behind when it comes to stemming a tide that now reaches all corners of society.
​
Given the evidence we do have about how watching porn changes behavior, desensitizes and dehumanizes, it’s high time everyone started demanding answers.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Search this site


    Like what you read here?

      Please subscribe below, and we'll let you know when there is a new opinion.

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Picture

    The author

    Jay Evensen is the Senior Editorial Columnist of the Deseret News. He has nearly 40 years experience as a reporter, editor and editorial writer in Oklahoma, New York City, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. He also has been an adjunct journalism professor at Brigham Young and Weber State universities.

    Archives

    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Campaign 2012
    Congress
    Crime
    Culture
    Iran
    Oil And Gas
    Poverty
    Steroids
    Taxes
    Utah
    Washington
    World Events
    World Events

    Links

    Deseret News
    Newslink
    Marianne Evensen's blog

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos from jamesjoel, DOWN ESPAÑA, garethjmsaunders, University of Salford, Adam Jones, Ph.D. - Global Photo Archive, marcoverch, See-ming Lee 李思明 SML, edgarzunigajr, Theo K, ActuaLitté, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Backbone Campaign, OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology), bradleygee, @sage_solar, sianiweston, makelessnoise, COD Newsroom, philozopher, Congressman George Miller, Jordi Bernabeu, edgarzunigajr, National Assembly For Wales / Cynulliad Cymru, simpleinsomnia, Mike Bonitz, Becker1999, manhhai, BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives, amira_a, Ken Lund, Bread for the World, r.nial.bradshaw, DearEdward, sinisterbluebox, denebola2025, thedoc31, ** RCB **, IQRemix, sandiegoduiattorney, Rob.Bertholf, Seluryar, Ben Sutherland, O.S. Fisher, Tony Webster, www.rubenholthuijsen.nl, Zachi Evenor, jonnwilliams, Lion Multimedia Production U.S.A., penjelly, jillccarlson, ADAM TAS IMAGES, UNMEER, DonkeyHotey, USDAgov, The Prime Minister's Office, Maicon Garcia, CountyLemonade, familymwr, Muffet, DonkeyHotey, tedeytan, KristineL761, penjelly, Leap Kye, sully213, NLNY, frankieleon, haven't the slightest, ljlandre, jalbertbowdenii, Rvs1966, Marion Doss, Vassilis Online, Dan Bock, Prestonbot, Frontierofficial, L. Bartha, educators.co.uk, Kelly Hunter, lindsayloveshermac, Michael.Jolley, dw_ross, Janitors, KAZVorpal, combusean, wuestenigel, apardavila, BodyWorn, MDGovpics, MHS Touchdown Club, JeepersMedia, Elvert Barnes, fred_v, CountyLemonade, mitchell haindfield, qbac07, David Holt London, Hoshi_sae, DonkeyHotey, aaronrhawkins, Ruth and Dave, CountyLemonade, Akademija Oxford, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, Chimpanz APe, huskyte77, GotCredit, sandiegoduiattorney, pacificpelican, streetsensedc, ell brown, Aaron Volkening, rgserapio, Asian Development Bank, paularps, ThoseGuys119, USDAgov, SIM USA, gnrklk, kthypryn, Zeitfixierer, vwcampin, regan76, frankieleon, Robert Couse-Baker, JoeInSouthernCA, SounderBruce, ThoseGuys119, CDC Global Health, Gage Skidmore, bunnicula, Fire At Will [Photography], Alexandre Prévot, Anth0ny Gale, vastateparksstaff, raphael.chekroun, Gerry Dincher, halseike, Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view, Gage Skidmore, infomatique, omarsalvatierragracida, Jerk Alert Productions, DonkeyHotey, Österreichisches Außenministerium, Photocapy, USDAgov, Taymaz Valley, jencu, Peter Krantz, WayShare, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, gruntzooki, CountyLemonade, makelessnoise, Denise Cross Photography, Roadgeek Adam, Tony Webster, amy.gizienski, faungg's photo, makelessnoise, FolsomNatural, Loimere, free pictures of money, Exile on Ontario St, EvinDC, ell brown, kamirao, coachphatty, Keith Allison, Raido Kaldma, avrene, Shutterbug Fotos, Elvert Barnes, Andrew Feinberg, Tony Webster, danxoneil, GrandGeneralStormCommando, MShades, Joe Frazier Photo, Kurdishstruggle, Omranic, SounderBruce, Mike Morbeck, Got Credit, Scudamore's Punting Company, wuestenigel, r.nial.bradshaw, NIAID, torbakhopper, 81disasters, gaobo, John Haro, Metro Atlanta Transit Productions, foundin_a_attic, Sten Dueland, tedeytan, CarbonNYC [in SF!], Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, marcn, pburka, BBurchell Photography, wbaiv, heyexit, Phillie Casablanca, Neil T, LendingMemo, Elsie esq., Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, n4rwhals, WalterPro4755, railsr4me, JLaw45, Janitors, USDAgov, MarkDoliner, educators.co.uk, wuestenigel, Franco Folini, JeanneMenjoulet&Cie, WayShare, Gamma Man, ninara, Bob Linsdell, H.KoPP, Vegar S Hansen Photography, denebola2025, Aircaft @ Gloucestershire Airport By James, Talusss, LaBellaVida, wwarby, easysentri, evelynquek, Ken Lund, rdmsf, North Charleston, t--h--s, denisbin, stcyshn, Tim Evanson, KAZVorpal, jurvetson, Simon_sees, thisisbossi, Photographing Travis, Phil Roeder, rich701, BPPrice, Kadano, quinnums, MoneyBlogNewz, wickenden, Lost Albatross, Bernd Thaller, Dave Snowden, CountyLemonade, au_ears, annikaleigh, magerleagues, MICOLO J Thanx 4 725k+ views, DonkeyHotey, progre, frankieleon, quinn.anya, Ryan Hallock, jsnsndr, abominable_eagle, Alan Cleaver, aflcio, CDC Global Health, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, jellygator, Jason M Parrish, USDAgov, Mystery in the mail, CJS*64 "Man with a camera", BenDibble, Joybot, JoeInSouthernCA, Pawel Maryanov, kennethkonica, mitchell haindfield, USDAgov, stevebott, Tyler Merbler, NCDOTcommunications, Exile on Ontario St, CBP Photography, jboe2009, WWYD?, liveoncelivewild, vaxomatic, Hunky Punk, tedeytan, GotCredit, Find Your Feet, Fibonacci Blue, Nicholas_T, Sergey Galyonkin, shock264, Georgie Pauwels, EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, adifferentbrian, Seluryar, Riik@mctr, Andrew Moura, Michael.Jolley, kellybdc, inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), JeepersMedia, TheTruthAbout, Anton V. Larionov, HloomHloom, surreynews, {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}, Secretary of Defense, The All-Nite Images, FootMassagez, You're In My Light (jerrysEYES), BLMOregon, Achilli Family | Journeys, Gerry Dincher, Ken Lund, Triple-green, yourbestdigs, Richard Elzey, Prestonbot, automobileitalia, Fora do Eixo, mary_gaston22, bk2000, AutrementDit Toronto., Elvert Barnes, dualdflipflop, mikemacmarketing, Hoshi_sae, torbakhopper, eburniche3, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Abeeeer, Rob.Bertholf, Don Hankins, dannielleblumenthal-thinkbrandfirst, USDAgov, wuestenigel, Michael.Jolley, xiquinhosilva, Images_of_Money, OregonDOT, lavocado@sbcglobal.net, gregfriese, SounderBruce, Kevin Johnston, Imagens Evangélicas, loop_oh, Magic Robot, funktionhouse, Gage Skidmore, Yosuke WATANABE, Mark Scott Johnson, F43r1x, ljlphotography, dsearls, David Holt London, ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd., Images_of_Money, roberthuffstutter, monkeyz_uncle, zemistor, fred_v, DonkeyHotey, Obama-Biden Transition Project, CedarBendDrive, nestor galina, brianholsclaw, ryochiji, thisisbossi, Bright Meadow, richard winchell, Svadilfari, Edward M Johnson, NavaInstigator>>>, VarsityLife, ourbethlehem, Mr. T in DC, mwanasimba, Franco Folini, qnr, Dougtone, LightinkLibrarian, Obama-Biden Transition Project, The Official CTBTO Photostream, AstroSamantha, MoreSatisfyingPhotos.com, The Shopping Sherpa, The National Guard, craigdietrich, kamshots, ewan traveler, World Can't Wait, Gila Forest, kaffeeringe, jgurbisz, gruntzooki, Supermac1961, thievingjoker, Rod Waddington, PlayfulLibrarian, Philip Taylor PT, AlicePopkorn, Raido Kaldma, dan taylor, Cannabis Culture, surreynews, cliff1066™, Lars Plougmann, ANZ Cluster Munition Coalition, Tracy O, www.davidbaxendale.com, Rob Barrett Photography, BuzzFarmers, Political Graveyard, ojbyrne, US Mission Geneva, inkknife_2000, ubiquit23, Dan Bock, irrezolut, Frankie Roberto, Abode of Chaos, KOMUnews, John Pavelka, ElectronicFrontierFoundation, DonkeyHotey, carlos.a.martinez, pnoeric, ARTS, ubiquit23, Ken Lund, Tony Fischer Photography, brewbooks, || UggBoy♥UggGirl || PHOTO || WORLD || TRAVEL ||, blackplastic, cristee12, Shan213, OPEN Sports, Korean Resource Center 민족학교, cocoate.com, karola riegler photography, 4nitsirk, gnuckx, citizenactionny, rezsox, Jeffrey Beall, david_shane, Mrs. Gemstone, Erik Daniel Drost, stockicide, kadluba, joaquinuy, quinn.anya, ReneS, StockMonkeys.com, loop_oh, Steve Tolcher, Iqbal Osman1, kiwanja, rawmustard, Anthony J, El Bibliomata, International Information Program (IIP), Alex McClung, danielmoyle, "G" jewels g is for grandma, slgckgc, Images_of_Money, fivedollarones, x1klima, Gabriel GM, redjar, andertoons, gvgoebel, .Larry Page, Mr. T in DC, chintanamin, KatVitulano Photos, Ken Lund, adactio, shroncin, RobotSkirts, jeffschuler, VinothChandar, Joybot, neurollero, erasergirl, Matías Garabedian, viviandnguyen_, Digitale Gesellschaft, markhillary, mkphotonet, jgBeachcomber, jimbowen0306, Franco Folini, dno1967b, jurvetson, MargaretNapier, Elvert Barnes, muddum27, abcd8164@yahoo.cn, Frontierofficial, dsearls, Shamanic Shift, Andrew Feinberg, Prayitno/ more than 2 millions views: thank you!, playerx, FSonne-pennstate73, The Daring Librarian, Vicky Hugheston, thenestor, Dusan Simonovic, David Reber's Hammer Photography, Justin A. Wilcox, Hollywood_PR, AR McLin, BrownGuacamole, Gage Skidmore, zache, Medill DC, wheat_in_your_hair, patricialow, Matt McGee, Bill Stanley, jerekeys, cletch, 6SN7, killrbeez, شبكة برق | B.R.Q, colros, Eric Kilby, kenteegardin, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Erik Daniel Drost, Edward Dalmulder, chris friese, simone.brunozzi, Daquella manera, stevebott, stevendepolo, DFID - UK Department for International Development, justinmatthew21, a.drian, cudmore, Extra Ketchup, wbaiv, Loren Javier, swanksalot, CountyLemonade, indigoprime, Bryn Pinzgauer, Paul Robertson, Gruenemann, r.nial.bradshaw, Sam Beebe, Ecotrust, Fibonacci Blue, .jocelyn., RESchroeder, MoneyBlogNewz, matze_ott, swskeptic, peterolthof, Charleston's TheDigitel, Tony Webster, Themeplus, sDanOoO, CountyLemonade, Our Dream Photography (Personal), anitakhart, Waiting For The Word, Matt-Zimmerman, Dougtone