WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly twice as many American men as women consider porn “morally acceptable.” Even among the more sexually liberal gender, though, more than half believe viewing porn represents moral weakness.
According to a May Gallup poll, the latest in a series that since the early 2000s has tracked Americans’ changing attitudes, society as a whole has become more liberal regarding sex and relationships. Significant gender gaps remain, however, especially in the areas of divorce, having a child out of wedlock, polygamy and extramarital affairs.
Porn is the most divisive issue between the sexes, according to the poll: 43 percent of men consider porn morally acceptable; only 25 percent of women agree. According to the Gallup organization, the gender gap on the issue hasn’t changed appreciably since 2011, nor has the majority opinion in either group.
More men than women also find having affairs outside of marriage, polygamy and sexual relations between teenagers morally acceptable.
The genders are almost equal when it comes to the percentage who believe sex between unmarried heterosexuals is acceptable, with only slightly more men (70 percent) than women (66 percent) approving.
On the other end of the scale, women are significantly more amenable to gay or lesbian relationships, having children out of wedlock and divorce.
