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Embarrassment andshametend to surround the issue of watching porn.
For some people, that arises from the suspicion that it constitutes cheating.
But for others, watching porn is a positive, healthy way to enhance the couple’s sex life.
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Whether porn is cheating or not is ultimately up to the partners involved.
The key is to discuss the issue openly.
Whether or not watching porn counts as cheating isn’t a simple yes or no.
Rather, it depends on your relationship and the rules all parties involved have agreed upon.
So if one of you is watching other people have sex, does that count asinfidelity?
For example, some couples discuss the issue and agree that each person can do it on their own.
Or, they may agree to watch it together.
They then might feel like the partner has been cheating on them when they find out about it.
This isn’t the case at all.
Again, it’s all about the boundaries you set as a couple.
Gulotta stresses that establishing rules determines how all people in a relationship should behave in relation to watching porn.
A non-monogamous couple might have an open agreement about watching porn, whether alone or with other partners.
In this case, doing that isn’t ever cheating.
Non-monogamous relationships can have just as many rules as monogamous onesoften, even more.
Can Watching Porn Be Emotionally Healthy?
What About Cam Situations?
That’s because nowadays, porn may be live, and viewers can become involved to some extent.
Some cam girls/guys have chat windows, and offer paid services such as shout-outs to single viewers.
She says it may be considered a breach of trust and may significantly damage a relationship.
How can you know how you should behave about something if you never discuss it?
it’s possible for you to start the talk simply by asking how the other person feels about porn.
Talking andsetting up boundaries each person feels comfortable with, everyone can move forward in a more relaxed manner.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Or, talk about this with your partner and a couple’s therapist.
This can be key to establishing healthy boundaries and can facilitate a productive conversation.
A Word From Verywell
Cultural shame is uncomfortable, especially surrounding personal or intimate topics.
That can make discussing porn with your partner difficultbut it’s important.
Maddox AM, Rhoades GK, Markman HJ.Viewing sexually-explicit materials alone or together: associations with relationship quality.
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