A Pornography Literacy Class for Youth: Results of a Feasibility and Efficacy Pilot Study. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rothman, Emily F.; Adhia, Avanti; Christensen, Tiffany T.; Paruk, Jennifer; Alder, Jessica; Daley, Nicole
• Is Part Of: American journal of sexuality education. Volume 13:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Pornography -- sexually explicit media -- media literacy -- sex education; Sex instruction -- Periodicals; 613.9071
• DOI: 10.1080/15546128.2018.1437100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1554-6128

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a media literacy curriculum focused on pornography among a sample of U.S-based, urban-residing youth. Participants were 24 youth between the ages of 15–24 years old, although 65% were 17–18 years old. The sample was 43% female, 43% male, 9% transgender, 52% Black, 22% Hispanic, 13% other race, 64% heterosexual, 14% gay, lesbian or bisexual, and 18% other sexual orientation. Participants completed a pre-test prior to the first class session and a post-test after the fifth and final session. Pornography-related knowledge increased from pre- to post-test. A change in the anticipated direction was observed for some pornography-related attitudes, and some pornography-related behavioral intentions. Pornography-related behavior (e.g., seeking out pornography for the first time) did not change from pre- to post-test. The novelty of these findings are two-fold. First, the study demonstrated that it is feasible to implement a pornography literacy curriculum in a nonschool setting, and second, that this particular curriculum may have had some positive impact.