Graduate Program

Family and Consumer Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2007

Thesis Director

Michelle Meadows

Thesis Committee Member

Kathleen O'Rourke

Thesis Committee Member

Lisa Taylor

Abstract

The purpose of conducting this study was to explore heterosesexual male, Midwestern university students' attitudes regarding internet pornography. This study explored the use of internet pornography, with a specific focus on: a) the age of first exposure to internet pornography; b) the usage characteristics of internet pornography among heterosexual male university students; c) the sexual attitudes and beliefs toward women among heterosexual male university students;and d)the sexual activity history of heterosexual male university students. A 29-item questionnaire was designed by the researcher to explore exposure to internet pornography, sexual behavior, sexual attitudes, and attitudes toward forced sex. Fifty-five participants completed the survey. The participants were a convenience sample from six Midwestern university classes. When analyzing the four research questions, results indicated: (1) the mean age in which most heterosexual males are first exposed to internet pornography is 13.5 years old; (2) although the correlation between age of first exposure to internet pornography and current internet pornography use was not significant (p = .052), it approached statistical significance, indicating future research in this area is warranted; (3) heterosexual male university students that first viewed internet pornography at older ages were found to have more permissive attitudes regarding females; and (4) heterosexual male university students' early internet pornography use did not influence the number of sexual partners of the participants. Although there was no significance for number of sexual partners in relation to internet pornography use, other factors should be investigated to provide insight to the high number of sexual partners reported by participants, with the majority of participants reporting unsafe sexual relations.

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