"As if they were watching my body": pornography and the development of attitudes towards sex and sexual behaviour among Camobdian youth

Does pornography affect children’s gender identity?

By: Fordham G
Published by: Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) , 2006
Via: Eldis

Pornography is directly implicated in issues such as gender-based violence, the use of commercial sex workers, the spread of HIV/AIDS and the rape of children. This report explores how representation of the sexual practices, as depicted in pornographic media, affects Cambodian children and the development of their gender identities. To avoid adverse effects of pornography on the lives and development of young people, policy recommendations include:

• develop a programme to inform parents how they can protect their children through education and vigilance
• utilise media and discussion-style programmes to open up the issue of pornography in the Cambodian community
• organisations working at district and village levels should make staff aware of pornography and how it is linked to social problems such as HIV/AIDS, sexual assault and domestic violence
• motivate police and village chiefs to mobilise against pornography

(http://www.crin.org/docs/wv_watching_my_body.pdf)