Posted on Jun 26, 2018
Can someone explain why soldiers are banned from watching porn down range?
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If sexual assault is such a problem in the Army, and military as a whole, why would you stop soldiers from being able to get out their urges as easily as possible when they already can't have sex for 9 months? I understand local laws, but we've invaded these countries... We're breaking plenty of local laws.
Deployment
Afghanistan
Iraq
Kuwait
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 58
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How interesting some folks can assume something about me. It was slapstick joke, carry on.
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"Hearts and minds" of the citizens of the countries we are in is a big thing. This is how their local laws and customs work, so that is what we are going with.
As what has also been mentioned, how do you not understand the SHARP relations to this type of question? Aren't you supposed to be a professional and when you put that uniform and flag on, representing this country?
I was deployed (while married) and I didn't bother to cheat on my spouse as some tend to do. How could I go that long without "getting my relief"? It's called self control, discipline, and being professional. Working and working out until I was dead tired sure helped too. Sounds like someone might need to pull double shifts overseas...
As what has also been mentioned, how do you not understand the SHARP relations to this type of question? Aren't you supposed to be a professional and when you put that uniform and flag on, representing this country?
I was deployed (while married) and I didn't bother to cheat on my spouse as some tend to do. How could I go that long without "getting my relief"? It's called self control, discipline, and being professional. Working and working out until I was dead tired sure helped too. Sounds like someone might need to pull double shifts overseas...
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SFC (Join to see)
That's not why they had the no sex rule. At all or they wouldn't have relaxed it in 2008.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
SFC (Join to see) - The no sex rule was not really what I was going towards there. Was more so stating that was a fairly often used method for "sexual relief" that was used overseas. The amount of marital cheating, on both sides, during deployment is sad.
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SFC (Join to see)
CPT Zachary Brooks - Well you mentioned hearts and minds and I thought you were alluding that is why they had the no sex rule. Because of local customs which it wasn't.
Oh I know how many people cheated during deployments. It was something else in my BN when I deployed - both times. It was funny that I got accused of it when I and my best friend (a married male) were probably the only two people not having sex. The second deployment he was in another unit. Then I got the rumors of I was screwing like an entire company somehow because I hung out with a few males in the company.
Oh I know how many people cheated during deployments. It was something else in my BN when I deployed - both times. It was funny that I got accused of it when I and my best friend (a married male) were probably the only two people not having sex. The second deployment he was in another unit. Then I got the rumors of I was screwing like an entire company somehow because I hung out with a few males in the company.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
SFC (Join to see) - The hearts and minds part was more so related to the "No Porn" thing as it is banned in many of those countries. That may also lead to some of the anti alcohol (also not good to get people tanked overseas anyway). That is one of those things where we support the host countries' laws, but we also make the more intelligent decision based upon operations.
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If you have that much of a problem you can not be abstinent for a period of time, videos are not going to fix the problem. If you cannot control those "urges", I suggest talking to someone about it. What do you think everyone else does that have wives and girlfriends? Life does not revolve around sexual gratification. That is a perk, not an absolute.
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I am very sorry that you think sexual assault can be solved by watching porn. You do not sound mature, and seem to be thinking with the wrong head. I was stationed on a base that had a number of pornographic theaters. So, tell me why I was brutally raped? I don"t agree that you should talk to sexual assault survivors. You have no empathy for these women/men. Your problems are a lot more serious than not being able to watch porn. Grow up!
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x Misconception
Sexual assault is correlated with sexually repressed societies. If people had more sexual opportunities, sexual assault would be less frequent.
✔ Truth
This misconception again ties sexual violence to uncontrollable sexual desire. People don’t commit sexual assault because they don’t have enough sexual opportunities. People commit sexual assault because they feel entitled to other people’s bodies and disregard other people’s right to consent.
x Misconception
Sexual assault happens because people need sex. People get carried away by their sexual desires and/or hormones and loose control.
✔ Truth
Sexual assault is a form of sexualized violence, that is, violence enacted in a sexual way. Like many other crimes, sexual assault is about power and control. Sexual assault happens because perpetrators put their desires over the survivor’s agency to consent. The survivor is never to blame.
x Misconception
Sexual assault is sex.
✔ Truth
Sexual assault is an act of violence, not sex. This is an important distinction because by framing sexualized violence as about sex and not about violence we focus on the perpetrator’s narrative and not the survivor’s. Focusing on the perpetrator’s narrative leads society to blame the victim and to not hold the perpetrator accountable for their actions. Remember, sexual assault happens because perpetrators exert power over the survivor to take away any control the survivor has in choosing whether or not to engage in a sexual situation. Thus, sexual assault is not sex to the survivor – it is an act of violence.
Sexual assault is correlated with sexually repressed societies. If people had more sexual opportunities, sexual assault would be less frequent.
✔ Truth
This misconception again ties sexual violence to uncontrollable sexual desire. People don’t commit sexual assault because they don’t have enough sexual opportunities. People commit sexual assault because they feel entitled to other people’s bodies and disregard other people’s right to consent.
x Misconception
Sexual assault happens because people need sex. People get carried away by their sexual desires and/or hormones and loose control.
✔ Truth
Sexual assault is a form of sexualized violence, that is, violence enacted in a sexual way. Like many other crimes, sexual assault is about power and control. Sexual assault happens because perpetrators put their desires over the survivor’s agency to consent. The survivor is never to blame.
x Misconception
Sexual assault is sex.
✔ Truth
Sexual assault is an act of violence, not sex. This is an important distinction because by framing sexualized violence as about sex and not about violence we focus on the perpetrator’s narrative and not the survivor’s. Focusing on the perpetrator’s narrative leads society to blame the victim and to not hold the perpetrator accountable for their actions. Remember, sexual assault happens because perpetrators exert power over the survivor to take away any control the survivor has in choosing whether or not to engage in a sexual situation. Thus, sexual assault is not sex to the survivor – it is an act of violence.
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SFC (Join to see)
Homophobia causes men who have experienced a male-on-male rape to fear telling their stories.
If the perpetrator is a man, the survivor may may question his own sexuality, especially if he experienced an erection or ejaculation during the assault. If the survivor identifies as gay, bi, or queer, and in the process of coming out, he may question how others perceive his sexual orientation. He may also fear that he will have to disclose his sexual orientation if he tells others about the assault. Homophobia and gay stereotypes may affect a man’s decision to disclose. Stereotypes on the promiscuity of gay men will often lead to victim blaming from a survivor’s support system - either insisting the encounter was consensual or that the incident occurred merely because of their assumed promiscuity. This is simply not true - sexual assault happens due to the perpetrator exerting power and control - and homophobia is a tool that a perpetrator can use and perpetuate in order to maintain this power. Lastly, it should be noted that though most of the perpetrators of sexual assault against men are also men, between 96-98% of sexual assaults against all people are heterosexual men, thus conflating gay, bisexual, or queer men with sexual assault is false.
If the perpetrator is a man, the survivor may may question his own sexuality, especially if he experienced an erection or ejaculation during the assault. If the survivor identifies as gay, bi, or queer, and in the process of coming out, he may question how others perceive his sexual orientation. He may also fear that he will have to disclose his sexual orientation if he tells others about the assault. Homophobia and gay stereotypes may affect a man’s decision to disclose. Stereotypes on the promiscuity of gay men will often lead to victim blaming from a survivor’s support system - either insisting the encounter was consensual or that the incident occurred merely because of their assumed promiscuity. This is simply not true - sexual assault happens due to the perpetrator exerting power and control - and homophobia is a tool that a perpetrator can use and perpetuate in order to maintain this power. Lastly, it should be noted that though most of the perpetrators of sexual assault against men are also men, between 96-98% of sexual assaults against all people are heterosexual men, thus conflating gay, bisexual, or queer men with sexual assault is false.
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SFC (Join to see)
4. The myth that most men who sexually abuse boys are gay.
Studies about this question suggest that men who have sexually abused a boy most often identify as heterosexual and often are involved in adult heterosexual relationships at the time of abusive interaction. There is no indication that a gay man is more likely to engage in sexually abusive behavior than a straight man and some studies even suggest it is less likely. But sexual abuse is not a sexual “relationship,” – it’s an assault. The sexual orientation of the abusive person is not really relevant to the abusive interaction. A man who sexually abuses or exploits boys is not engaging in a homosexual interaction – any more than men who sexually abuse or exploit girls are engaging in heterosexual behavior. He is a deeply confused individual who, for various reasons, desires to sexually use or abuse a child, and has acted on that desire. (See Why Do People Sexually Use or Abuse Children?)
https://1in6.org/get-information/myths/
Studies about this question suggest that men who have sexually abused a boy most often identify as heterosexual and often are involved in adult heterosexual relationships at the time of abusive interaction. There is no indication that a gay man is more likely to engage in sexually abusive behavior than a straight man and some studies even suggest it is less likely. But sexual abuse is not a sexual “relationship,” – it’s an assault. The sexual orientation of the abusive person is not really relevant to the abusive interaction. A man who sexually abuses or exploits boys is not engaging in a homosexual interaction – any more than men who sexually abuse or exploit girls are engaging in heterosexual behavior. He is a deeply confused individual who, for various reasons, desires to sexually use or abuse a child, and has acted on that desire. (See Why Do People Sexually Use or Abuse Children?)
https://1in6.org/get-information/myths/
Myths & Facts About Male Sexual Abuse and Assault | 1in6
Read common myths about the sexual abuse or assault of boys & men. Understand why these myths can be serious obstacles to understanding & healing, and learn the facts around male sexual abuse & assault.
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Pornography demoralizes individuals and devalues females...For example, if You are an individual who watches pornography, whether male or female, isn't it difficult to work around other Service Members?
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - That is not what you said. You said why can't we have porn downrange, maybe if we did sexual assault would decrease. You equated a lack of sex with sexual assault which is false. Don't try changing your tone now.
"All of these senior leaders arguing for restricting freedoms completely goes against the entire point of the US department of Defense and the United States as a whole." -- I wasn't aware the ability to watch porn was guaranteed in the Constitution. Also are you new to the military? We have a lot of restrictions that civilians don't. Perhaps if you don't like rules and regulations the military isn't for you.
"All of these senior leaders arguing for restricting freedoms completely goes against the entire point of the US department of Defense and the United States as a whole." -- I wasn't aware the ability to watch porn was guaranteed in the Constitution. Also are you new to the military? We have a lot of restrictions that civilians don't. Perhaps if you don't like rules and regulations the military isn't for you.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - SPC Sheila Lewis is correct. Porn devalues human beings (mainly women) and actually increases instances of rape and sexual assault (check out how many serial killers who raped and killed women were addicted to porn). A better question is why you think allowing soldiers (or anyone for that matter) access to porn would actually help anything at all. SFC (Join to see) is also correct in that the military may not be for you. This isn't your chance to do what you want, whenever you want. You're here to defend democracy, not practice it.
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SPC Sheila Lewis
CPT Scott Everett Thank You for your support, my intent was to add a different perspective because I saw the effects of porn addiction with my ex-husband. Additionally, it is nice to be respected because there are persons on other sites who could care less about respect and it shows.
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LTC Stephen C.
SPC Sheila Lewis, I would suggest that you not even bother to indulge this soldier with any more of your valuable time.
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You're completely misled about porn. Porn won't decrease sexual assault and rape. It will increase it. Porn shapes the way women are viewed, plain and simple. The following is from https://fightthenewdrug.org/how-consuming-porn-can-lead-to-violence/.
A few years ago, a team of researchers looked at 50 of the most popular porn films—the ones purchased and rented most often. Of the 304 scenes the movies contained, 88% contained physical violence and 49% contained verbal aggression. On average, only one scene in 10 didn’t contain any aggression, and the typical scene averaged 12 physical or verbal attacks. One particularly disturbing scene managed to fit in 128!
The amount of violence shown in porn is astonishing but equally disturbing is the reaction of the victims. In the study, 95% of the victims (almost all of them women) either were neutral to the abuse or appeared to respond with pleasure.
In other words, in porn, people are getting beaten up and they’re smiling about it.
A few years ago, a team of researchers looked at 50 of the most popular porn films—the ones purchased and rented most often. Of the 304 scenes the movies contained, 88% contained physical violence and 49% contained verbal aggression. On average, only one scene in 10 didn’t contain any aggression, and the typical scene averaged 12 physical or verbal attacks. One particularly disturbing scene managed to fit in 128!
The amount of violence shown in porn is astonishing but equally disturbing is the reaction of the victims. In the study, 95% of the victims (almost all of them women) either were neutral to the abuse or appeared to respond with pleasure.
In other words, in porn, people are getting beaten up and they’re smiling about it.
How Consuming Porn Can Lead to Violence
Consumers may say they aren’t actually affected by porn, that they don't personally believe its violent underlying messages, but studies suggest otherwise.
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Having read most of the responses, I am amazed at the furor over this issue.
Aren't the ROE more important? As far as national sovereignty, if the nations we assist desire this so strongly perhaps they should learn how to protect themselves. Freedom of expression includes porn. As Americans we are free to choose whether or not to watch. I don't believe that porn is a healthy pastime, but we are a free people with differing opinions on just about everything.
When deployed to a nation where Sharia law applies (especially command sponsored), our family members should be protected from stoning, castration, suffering female circumcision, or other benighted punishments.
We need to worry less about the "feelings" of countries we assist and more about the soldiers that are there. We give up rights when we enlist or are commissioned. The number of rights we give up should not be at the whim of some committee or general officer. If the host nation doesn't like american TV or movies our men & women choose to watch, then they should keep their asses off of our bases. Personally I believe our bases should be considered US Territory in the same way as our embassies. Are our military personnel less important than the diplomats? I think not.
Aren't the ROE more important? As far as national sovereignty, if the nations we assist desire this so strongly perhaps they should learn how to protect themselves. Freedom of expression includes porn. As Americans we are free to choose whether or not to watch. I don't believe that porn is a healthy pastime, but we are a free people with differing opinions on just about everything.
When deployed to a nation where Sharia law applies (especially command sponsored), our family members should be protected from stoning, castration, suffering female circumcision, or other benighted punishments.
We need to worry less about the "feelings" of countries we assist and more about the soldiers that are there. We give up rights when we enlist or are commissioned. The number of rights we give up should not be at the whim of some committee or general officer. If the host nation doesn't like american TV or movies our men & women choose to watch, then they should keep their asses off of our bases. Personally I believe our bases should be considered US Territory in the same way as our embassies. Are our military personnel less important than the diplomats? I think not.
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