Pornography vs. Romantic Movies

Pornography and romantic movies are two worlds that seemingly have little in common, yet both can similarly influence people’s perceptions of relationships. Supporters of the comparison argue that both men and women are fed unrealistic scenarios – men with visions of constant sexual availability, women with fairy-tale love free of everyday problems. Critics, however, point out that pornography more strongly affects the brain’s reward system, causing addictions and distorting expectations toward a partner. The question then arises – aren’t both of these forms, in essence, different faces of the same illusion that undermines real bonds?