Every Man’s Battle?

Abstract

Chapter 4 considers how the influence of complementarian gender ideology differentially shapes the experiences of conservative Protestant men and women who view pornography. While the moral incongruence involving pornography use can often be crippling for conservative Protestant men, this chapter shows that conservative Protestant women often experience a “double shame” from their porn use, in that they are violating God’s design for women. More so than men, this shame leaves these women feeling particularly isolated and condemned. The chapter also discusses the challenges women face when it comes to seeking help in their struggle against lust and pornography use.