Does porn use make me less likely to want to date?
I've seen some great discussion on the effect of porn in existing relationships. My question is this: I'm 23, and I probably started looking at porn in middle school, and masturbating quite frequently for most of adolescence and young adulthood.
I've never really "dated" anybody for long, and I didn't lose my virginity until I was 22. I'm not sure if it's shyness, or fear of commitment, or fear of rejection, or any other pop-psych villains for this sort of thing. I do know this: I tend to run from relationships pretty quickly.
In sexual encounters, I often have to fantasize just to "finish." I realize that porn has an effect on that part of my life. But, through the hormonal effects of porn and masturbation (i.e., orgasm), is it possible that using porn too frequently might simply make me less interested in dating? If I don't "look forward" to sex, because of porn, is there perhaps a key part of the joy of relationships that I've been keeping from myself? Thanks!
This is interesting...especially because I don't believe in sexual addiction, and I am pro-porn. However, I will say that if you are getting all of your desires met through porn, why would you want to date? I mean, it makes sense that if you don't feel like you are really missing out on anything by not dating, you might not have much of a drive to find and keep a partner.
I think it would be a stretch to say that watching porn too frequently is leading you to be disinterested in dating. You're 23, so you likely just haven't met anyone worthy of being more important to you or more exciting to you than what the porn offers.
Now, if you find that you are choosing to call in sick to work to watch porn or if you are ditching out on social activities to watch porn, then you might want to re-evaluate where you'd like to see your life go.
Plenty of people use fantasy to "finish"...but I think in your particular situation, you likely haven't found the right person yet.