Pornography defined by today's guest on Parent Choices for Struggling Teens, Shawn Brooks, the Executive Director of Oxbow Academy, is "any media that depicts any human sexual activity that 'sensationalizes' (the activity) that is in the form of pictures or video that arouses those who see it. When seen or viewed, it appeals to the basic instincts of the person.
Back 20-30 years ago, barriers were in place to protect children from pornography…either through the store clerk or by parents, but now with the Internet there are no barriers. Now, a young man can look at hard core pornography without seeing the same image twice, and it can only take one wrong click and for some of these adolescents, they can really get lost in it. The average age of a child first introduced to pornography is 11 years old, and at Oxbow Academy, we work with young boys who were introduced to pornography as young as 6-8 years old.. While viewing the pornography, the pleasure centers of the brain lights up and sends dopamine's throughout the body and they then feel the rush, thus putting them onto the pathway of pornography addiction. For a child this young, they are 'turning on parts of their brain' they are not ready for.
"In 1998, when the internet was available for home use, things really started to happen with pornography addiction. For young men/children that are socially vulnerable and struggle to fit in, pornography interrupts those developmental stages. "The things they see are 'risky' and tend to change a child's relationship with their parents, due to the secrecy, fear and shame. A conversation with your kids has to happen early and parents need to accept the reality of the access to pornography. We have allowed technology into the lives of our children. Kids are sexting and texting and as the parents, you must monitor what they are doing. Your child has to have rules and guidelines to technology and you have to be incredibly involved in the life of your child. Parenting is different now than any other time in history due to technology."
"Family work is essential in working with these boys at Oxbow, and in my opinion, the most important issue to be resolved is the relationship with the parents and child must be restored," shared Shawn.
"As far as pornography addiction, if you are addicted, you will always be addicted unless you choose a life of sobriety from the addiction. You have two choices: a lifestyle of addiction or a lifestyle of sobriety and reengagement to the world and with relationships. If in their heart they want to change, they can or they won't."
Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports, Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens.
Elizabeth McGhee is the Director of Admissions and Referral Relations at Sandhill Child Development Center and has over 19 years' of clinical, consulting and referral relations experience to her position and is the co-host.
Shawn Brooks has been working with adolescent males who struggle with sexual behavioral issues since 1992, working for the Redcliff Ascent Company. Shawn has a BS degree in Psychology and Sociology from Brigham Young University and is currently the Executive Director and one of the owners of Oxbow Academy, a residential treatment program for males 12-18 who struggle with sexual behavioral issues.
We are excited to announce that we have several openings for on-air sponsorship during our show on LA TALK Radio: Parent Choices for Struggling Teens.
If you are interested in reserving some air time to promote your school, program or services, contact Kristie Campbell at kristie@woodbury.com or 208-267-5550
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