ABSTRACT
This chapter opens with an interview with a pornography addict, then looks at data around early access to pornography. The impact of viewing porn on boys’ mental health, body image, and attitudes towards sex and women are discussed. Importantly, the chapter clarifies what is legal and what is illegal when it comes to pornography viewing, as well as clarifying what sexualised behaviours are classified as either sexual violence or sexual harassment. The chapter offers advice to teachers as to how they can facilitate healthy and open Porn Literacy discussions which avoid the stigmatisation which could inhibit students’ desire to be frank and open when talking about pornography and sexual interactions. The chapter concludes with a number of lesson plans which help teachers to teach boys about inappropriate sexual language and behaviours, and avoiding those elements of masculinity – such as aggression, emotional withdrawal, and homophobia – which one might term as ‘toxic.’ Open discussion and the negotiation of consent within sexual relationships are illustrated via a lesson on negotiated handshakes. The chapter also offers advice as to how teachers can teach boys to challenge each other when they hear sexist or sexualised remarks from a friend or acquaintance.
