USA Today Blames 'Destructive' Porn for Sexy Halloween Costumes

USA Today Blames 'Destructive' Porn for Sexy Halloween Costumes

MCLEAN, Va. — National newspaper USA Today has published a sensationalizing report about Halloween costumes, claiming that “scandalous sexual encounter fantasies reign in pop culture and pornography.”

The shaming piece, penned by USA Today’s David Oliver, is salaciously titled, “Your Sexual Fantasies May Be More Problematic Than You Realize,” although the version indexed by Google shows the originally-published title was “Sex, Sexual Fantasies, Role-Play: Porn Sets Unrealistic Expectations.”

The article begins with a catalogue of clichés, listing “the schoolgirl in a plaid miniskirt and pigtails. The nurse wearing a too-tight white dress and matching cap. The librarian with her perfect, polished hair up in a bun.”

These sexual fantasies, Oliver suggests, “are part of our cultural lexicon and there is no shortage of lingerie, and even Halloween costumes, to enable these scenes to become realities. But when does role-playing cross a line? When the partner of the sexy schoolgirl or scantily-clad flight attendant, for example, fails to heed their partner's sexual boundaries or when we sexualize the people around us who embody these real-life roles.”

The article then quotes Gail Wyatt, a clinical psychologist and faculty member at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior, who claims that when role-playing, "most people don't bother to get consent and a fully knowledgeable consent. And when you do that to someone, you introduce the opportunity to be misinterpreted or misunderstood, or to frighten your partner."

Oliver then cites unnamed experts to justify his assertion that “it's impossible to discuss most sexual fantasies without talking about porn since the two are so closely intertwined.”

Oliver also claims that it is pornography, rather than individuals or society, that has “created these tropes — sexy schoolgirl, nurse, librarian — that can be demeaning to women.”

Wyatt’s recommendation, Oliver reports, is that “everyone stop watching pornography — though she recognizes how entrenched it is in society and how difficult it would be to eliminate it.”

Wyatt told USA Today, “Porn is probably one of the most destructive current influences on human sexuality that we have because it's worldwide, and it's well-established."

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 News

JustFor.fans' Dominic Ford Featured in Wired Magazine

JustFor.fans Founder and CEO Dominic Ford is featured in a new article in Wired Magazine, titled "The Internet Revolutionized Porn. Age Verification Could Upend Everything."

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos Joins ProDx Health Advisory Board

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos has joined the Advisory Board of ProDx Health.

Aylo Fined $5 Million as FTC, Utah Settle Safety Practices Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Utah on Wednesday settled a complaint against Aylo, requiring the company to pay a $5 million penalty and implement measures to prevent illegal content from appearing on its sites.

New AI Companion Platform 'Pornstar.love' Launches

Pornstar.love, a new AI companion platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

XBIZ Amsterdam to Debut 'Behind the Lens' Screening Series

XBIZ is pleased to announce the debut of “Behind the Lens,” a new screening series presenting discussions with noted directors, taking place at the upcoming annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam.

'White Rabbit' Party Headed for XBIZ Amsterdam

XBIZ is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Party, an XBIZ Amsterdam special event set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, the latest edition of Europe’s biggest adult industry conference, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel in Amsterdam.

Show More