Thank you, Paul Burke...I was contemplating how to reply to ake....

Having worked in an 'adult book store' for a couple of years, I can attest that not only does **pornography** come in many, many formats and styles and levels, but the reasons for acquiring it are just as varied!
I met people (BOTH women & men) who needed information & education, as their life had simply just not provided data on what people DO...or when, or with whom, or how. I met people who were alone for various reasons, and gained real solace from images or stories of real people like themselves they could relate to. I met 'some' people who I am sure might have been a real danger to society without pornography to channel their urges.
   
    It is a real mistake to oversimplify the human urge to create or acquire erotic images or writings. Because society has such problems even discussing the issue rationally, we get opinions colored by personal embarassment, religious background, fear of legal repercussions, ....and just plain mis-information.

   Yeah...some pornography is startling and extreme and DOES represent a distorted view of sexuality, but some is tasteful and artistic and beautiful....and there is no truly clear dividing line, but a continuum of variety & levels.

Face it, men...and women... have ALWAYS had an interest in sex, whether in reading about it, viewing nudity and behavior, as shown in the link Paul Burke posted, or in.....pardon me... "getting some". Every individual is different, and broad generalizations about what is 'right' or 'healthy' will almost always be incomplete and flawed.