REDMINUTE No. 5

Dr William Struthers answers the question “How do I talk to someone about their porn use?”

When you suspect that someone has a problem with pornography it can be a very delicate issue to bring up. Neuroscientist and Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College, Dr William Struthers says that its important to make sure that it is a loving and accepting conversation where you avoid adding more shame.

A person who is struggling with porn may be using it as a way to escape hurt or pain, so when they are confronted, their first instinct will be to retreat and put up a defensive wall. It is important to bridge the conversation in a loving way without denying the negative consequences that the pornography viewing is having. Ultimately the person who is struggling with pornography will have to get to a place where they can admit their struggle and seek help themselves.