opinion

Dr. Marty Klein Confronts America’s 'Porn Panic' in Latest Book

Dr. Marty Klein Confronts America’s 'Porn Panic' in Latest Book

Licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist, Dr. Marty Klein has been a voice of sexual advocacy both for his clients and the American public for more than 35 years. The award-winning author/speaker/therapist has given 1,000 keynote speeches and lectures to countless organizations and colleges including Stanford University Medical School and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Dr. Klein’s book “America’s War on Sex” was honored as Book of the Year by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, & Therapists. Dr. Klein has written his seventh book titled “His Porn, Her Pain Confronting America’s Porn Panic with Honest Talk About Sex.” The book, available in both hardback and paperback, is Dr. Klein’s answer to the question: “What would happen if America were flooded with free high-quality, free pornography?” “His Porn, Her Pain” discusses a wide-range of subjects that include what Dr. Klein has termed a “Porn Panic” created by ‘moral entrepreneurs’ that affects us all psychologically, culturally, politically and personally.”

According to Dr. Klein, the landscape of sex and relationships changed dramatically when broadband flooded American homes and pornography was instantly at the fingertips of anyone with a computer and internet connection. And within Dr. Klein’s therapy practice a common theme emerged from heterosexual females.

That smart phone has more power than the computer NASA used to put the first man on the moon and we give them to 14-year-olds. -Dr. Marty Klein, Licensed Therapist and Certified Sexpert

“I noticed that gay male couples weren’t complaining about their partner’s pornography use, and neither were heterosexual males,” says Dr. Klein. “It was heterosexual females who were the most affected by their partner’s use of it. We were starting to see this commonality from therapists everywhere.” The grievances sparked the basis for “His Porn, Her Pain,” but the book provides insight and advice for both men and women, as well as critical advice for parents dealing with their offspring becoming sexually active in the age of the iPhone and promotes porn literacy for teens and adults.

“Adults have given the keys to something as large and as complicated as the internet to teenagers without sitting them down to talk about it,” says Dr. Klein. “As a result teenagers don’t have an idea of what sex is like in real life. But the key issue isn’t to get rid of porn. The key issue is where teenagers can go for sex education. Most parents are not comfortable with sex education in school and talking to kids about sex. So kids turn to another source, the internet and pornography to learn about sex. Look at the average 15 year old and his or her iPhone. That smart phone has more power than the computer NASA used to put the first man on the moon and we give them to 14-year-olds! If adults can’t stop texting when they drive, how on Earth do you imagine teenagers will use the iPhone?”

The book touches on highly sensitive and emotionally-charged topics including on whether or not pornography lowers a woman’s self-esteem, creates sexual dysfunction issues for men and if porn damages normal sexual relationships.

“Nobody leaves a perfectly good thriving relationship for pornography,” says Dr. Klein. “There are always other issues, something else going on. Porn doesn’t do damage, but a person’s beliefs surrounding it can be used in ways that undermine relationships.”

And Dr. Klein believes one of the biggest barriers of sexual freedom are anti-porn stakeholders who have arrived in the form of a whole new range of pornography critics.

“There are 60 million consumers who view pornography and they have no voice,” says Dr. Klein. “Consumers need a public voice on this subject. The new porn narrative has changed to one where porn critics are primarily religious, anti-sex work, anti-everything activists who say porn is dangerous. All these other voices are allowed to talk, but no one is consulting porn consumers and asking what they want.”

“I hope readers walk away with ideas about how to talk to their mate,” says Dr. Klein. “And better ideas about how to talk to kids. I hope they are motivated for professional help if that’s what they need. I hope they come away with the better understanding of what porn does, how to talk to people, the structure of human fantasy and why fantasy is not desire. I hope it will get clear for some people. There is something for almost everyone in this book.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Breaking Down HB 805 and How it Affects the Adult Industry

North Carolina House Bill 805 was enacted July 29, after the state legislature overrode Governor Josh Stein’s veto. The provisions that relate to the adult industry, imposing requirements for age verification, consent and content removal, are scheduled to become effective Dec. 1. Platforms have until then to update their policies and systems to comply with the new regulations.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Staying Compliant With Payment Standards Across Europe and Australia

So, you’ve got your eye on international growth. Smart move. No matter where adult-industry merchants operate, however, one requirement remains consistent: regulatory compliance. This isn’t just a legal checkbox — it’s a critical component of keeping payments flowing and business operations intact.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

How to Avoid Copyright Pitfalls When Using Music in Adult Content

When creating an adult video, bringing your vision to life often means assembling just the right ingredients — including the right music. However, adding music to adult content can raise complex legal and ethical issues.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

New Visa Rules Adult Merchants Need to Know

In December 2024, I shared an update on the upcoming rollout of Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program, also known as VAMP. The final version went into effect in June, and enforcement will begin in October. With just a month to go, now is the time to review what’s changing and how to stay compliant.

Cathy Beardsley ·
profile

Dan Leal Talks Balance, Business and Daily Rituals

“We were in a big field, and I hopped off a little ledge to cut through some grass, and my knee just gave out,” he explains. “I thought it was my calf because I’d torn my calf muscle back in December, but I had an MRI that confirmed a torn ACL.”

Jeff Dana ·
profile

Sarah Illustrates Spins Chill Vibes Into Viral Fame

Lounging in her sunny SoCal backyard in between content shoots, with her hair swept into a no-fuss ponytail and the sun dappling her shoulders, Sarah Illustrates looks every bit the hot mom next door — because, well, she is. The kind of mom who bakes fresh bread on the weekends, juggles dance recitals and baseball games, and delights in life’s simpler joys, like family time and trips to Target.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

WIA Profile: Lainie Speiser

With her fiery red hair and a laugh that practically hugs you, Lainie Speiser is impossible to miss. Having repped some of adult’s biggest stars during her 30-plus years in the business, the veteran publicist is also a treasure trove of tales dating back to the days when print was king and social media not even a glimmer in the industry’s eye.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Fighting Back Against AI-Fueled Fake Takedown Notices

The digital landscape is increasingly being shaped by artificial intelligence, and while AI offers immense potential, it’s also being weaponized. One disturbing trend that directly impacts adult businesses is AI-powered “DMCA takedown services” generating a flood of fraudulent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notices.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Building Seamless Checkout Flows for High-Risk Merchants

For high-risk merchants such as adult businesses, crypto payments are no longer just a backup plan — they’re fast becoming a first choice. More and more businesses are embracing Bitcoin and other digital currencies for consumer transactions.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

What the New SCOTUS Ruling Means for AV Laws and Free Speech

On June 27, 2025, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, upholding Texas’ age verification law in the face of a constitutional challenge and setting a new precedent that bolsters similar laws around the country.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
Show More