Editor's note: A source's identity has been kept confidential for his protection
Daniel Steer, '95 alumnus, started a support group for male students struggling with pornography this past February. He works part time for Whitworth's counseling services in conjunction to his own private practice in Spokane.
Steer chose to start a support group because he said the topic of pornography would consistently come up inadvertently during his sessions with students at Whitworth – specifically male students. A group of four male students meet weekly with Steer.
"The only time [pornography] gets talked about is when it's in crude humor with guys. It's just a really uncomfortable topic to talk about in the first place," said a junior male student who is in the support group. "The sad truth is that for guys it's so much easier to not talk about it and brush it under the carpet."
From a mental health standpoint, pornography is a dangerous thing, Steer said. People struggling with pornography who view it as morally wrong experience a lot of shame, he said.
Whitworth's most recent public stance towards pornography was in a message from President Bill Robinson in 2001. The President's message addressed the decision to implement an internet filtering system in response to the issue of pornography on campus.
"We find most forms of pornography inconsistent with all that we stand for as an institution that exalts Christ, believes humankind is made in the image of God and believes human sexuality is sacred," Robinson said in the message.
The support group started by Steer is the most recent attempt made at Whitworth for students struggling with pornography since the institution's decision to filter the Internet. Programs in the past include a discussion on masturbation and leaders of XXX Church, a Christian anti-porn ministry, speaking on campus.
Administrators have responded in regards to the filter and Robinson's personal address, the junior male student said. But pornography and masturbation is a topic that is overlooked unless students bring it up -- more official programs and support groups are needed to give more public opportunity for students to talk about it, he said.
Steer, who has been working with Whitworth students since last spring, said the Whitworth community of students and leadership lack sufficient support for those struggling with pornography but said the they have the capacity to do so.
The Whitworth community has brought out the personal problem of eating disorders so students are able to talk about it more publicly but the issue of pornography and masturbation is not there yet, Steer said.
Associate Dean of Students Dick Mandeville said he is open to any initiatives or recommendations people have to create more support on campus and that administration wants to "fearlessly address the issue."
"The programs that are most effective in terms of student attendance and content, have originated from student initiatives," Mandeville said in an e-mail.
Because of the lack of open dialogue about pornography and masturbation on campus the junior male student said in his experiences, he has found it hard talking about his struggle.
"I'm scared to open up about it on campus," the student said. "I would be judged so much and so humiliated and publicly shamed. It's not just something people talk about so why should I talk about it?"
Men aren't the only ones watching porn. On an average month, 9.4 million women access pornographic Web sites, according to internet-filter-review.com.
For senior Lissie Mendes, pornography is something she views as potentially addictive. A self-identified feminist, she said when women consciously choose to be in the porn industry, that is the choice they are making.
"As a feminist, that's their right," Mendes said. "You can't object to men who objectify [women] if they [choose to do porn]."
Sophomore Carly Stuart said pornography objectifies both men and women. Pornography is not beneficial in the grand aspect but so are media when unrealistic depictions of what people look like are put on billboards, she said.
Click here to read the rest of the series on pornography at Whitworth.
Contact Yong Kim at yong.kim@whitworthian.com.
Read more:
-The debate over the term 'porn addiction'
-The implications of pornography
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