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(March 29, 2007) —
According to the National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, an estimated 2 million Internet users are addicted to pornography, 200,000 of whom spend more than 11 hours a week viewing pornographic Web sites. The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families has reported that pornographers make approximately $10 billion to $20 billion annually in their industry.
Pornography falls in the same category as drug addiction. It presents many of the same conflicts and consequences, and is detrimental to the family unit that is an integral part of society. Like drugs, pornography ruins marital relationships and exploits innocent children and teenagers. Although society has been led to believe that pornography is a freedom to which each individual is entitled, society's definition of freedom has become synonymous with licentiousness. The general idea that everyone should mind their own business and that pornography isn't wrong as long as no one is hurt does not apply to this issue. Pornography always involves a victim, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
The threats presented by pornography have become a hot topic in the Monroe County Library System. As a child, I viewed the library as a safe and exciting place to visit or do research for school projects. Now, the American Civil Liberties Union is working to alter my perspective. Although the ACLU works under the pretense of protecting the "natural rights" of every citizen, its protection of access to pornography is destructive to the family and to society. It is tragic that the ACLU puts so much effort into allowing pornography in the libraries while at the same time working to prohibit the display of religious symbols in towns and communities.
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks has stated that she will remove millions of dollars in funding from the library system if it allows access to pornographic Web sites. I support her efforts. No taxpayer should be required to pay money to a library that provides addictive material for its patrons. The pornography industry is growing, and the last place it needs to attract new viewers is the library. I would like to see our public libraries remain resources uninfluenced by pornography's negative impacts.
Teen Council members advise the editorial board and write occasional columns.
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