Over the past 10 years, the rates of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 using condoms has been rapidly decreasing. In turn, STD contractions have increased, as have unexpected pregnancies. But now that the porn industry is changing the condom game, we might see more people wrapping up in 2012!
In a survey done by Penthouse Magazine in 2009, they asked 3500 readers where they learn their sex moves from. The results weren’t surprising: 3% said from their friends, 8% said movies and television, 26% said from personal experience, and a whopping 61% said they learned their best moves from watching porn (2% had a different response). With this in mind, it’s easy to assume that the porn industry has a huge influence on our lives in the sheets.
Although we’re used to seeing raw-dog action in porn, that’s about to change.
Average Condom Usage With A New Partner In The United States
After almost two years of protests, petitions and legal motions, a Los Angeles organization called FAIR, For Adult Industry Responsibility, have finally made ground. Because of their relentless efforts, an ordinance that makes it mandatory for adult film actors to use condoms in all productions is set to be granted its final approval by the Los Angeles City Council tomorrow. Or, in layman’s terms, if they’re not wrapping it up, they’re not making the movie.
Ohio Physiologist Dr. Brendon Martinson thinks that this new law won’t only get people using condoms again, but it will get them excited about it.
“People want to experience what they see in adult films,” says Dr. Martinson. “If they see someone in a position they’ve never tried before, they’ll want to try that position. If they see someone in an environment they’ve never tried, they want to find a similar environment to experience. It’s natural to assume that when people start seeing condoms become mainstream in adult films, they’ll subconsciously be drawn towards the idea of using them.”
Of course this decision wasn’t created to benefit the general public– Keeping the adult actors disease-free and sexually safe is the main focus of FAIR, and the reason the ordinance is finally being passed.
“It’s great, it’s outstanding and it’s about time,” said James Darren, who was the infamous adult entertainment actor involved in the 2004 HIV outbreak. “A lot of people who don’t make money will do a scene just to pay their bills and rent. A lot of them have drug issues, and are not provided with treatment and may not know that they’re carrying something.”
The condom industry is expecting a big boost in sales of their products, but adult film star James Bartholet thinks that the switch is going to hurt, rather than help, the economy.
“We’re the safest people in the world, we’re tested every 28 days,” said Bartholet. “We’re a lot safer than 99 percent of the kids in nightclubs. I don’t think this ordinance is a good idea because it’s going to cause a lot of runaway production. We want to keep as much production, mainstream and adult, here in California as we can because it helps the economy.”
Regardless of money issues, an increase of condoms in porn will no doubt get people excited to wear them again. Whether you’ve been hooking up through Sex Search or hooking up with someone you already know, stick with the times and wear a glove before you love!