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Relationships

Am I a prude?

(128 Posts)
onaclearday Sat 09-Nov-19 09:12:31

I am in my late 70s, married twice and recently met a lovely caring kind widower. In both my marriages I enjoyed a mutually satisfying physical relationship. The new man in my life has revealed that his wife didn't like sex and he read porn magazines to relieve his needs and has looked at porn on the internet. I was totally shocked as I never expected that. Our relationship is still in the development stage. He insists that all men read porn but I don't believe that. If either of my husbands had those magazines I would have found them, believe me. He has discussed this with his daughters (40/50 year olds) and they think it is normal. I find this weird. It is not something I could discuss with any of my children or friends. Can you , dear gransnetters, please enlighten me as to whether or not I have led a sheltered life and if I am being narrow minded to see this in the same light as dirty old men in raincoats? I can't get the images out of my head ....

jocork Sun 10-Nov-19 16:32:21

Ashcombe To quote Edith Piaf, “Non, je regrette rien.”
For someone who feels the need to correct others' spelling etc I'd like to point out that the correct quote is "Non, je ne regrette rien."

Runs for cover! hmm

DotMH1901 Sun 10-Nov-19 16:34:13

Porn has been with us since time began for mankind - disguised sometimes as a religious thing - but definitely there. You only have to look in the history books! He has been very honest with you and, if the thought that he might still look at porn upsets you then you need to be equally honest and tell him. If he is determined to continue then you would need to decide if the relationship should continue or not. I don't think you are a prude, it is just something you haven't encountered before (and don't won't too). My daughter reads the modern day Mills and Boon books which my Gran used to love to read, however Gran would be very displeased with the way these books are now written, graphic in every detail, when things used to end with 'and they closed the bedroom door behind them'

craftyone Sun 10-Nov-19 16:39:24

beigecardigans: quote I think it has sadly become the norm these days.

Absolute blinkered rubbish, sadly your father exposed you to the fact that he used porn and that must have affected your way of thinking. My father never used porn and I can categorically say that my husband never used porn. Please dont clump all men into your very sad basket

And op, I would avoid this man. He may only be telling you something that is the tip of the iceberg. Live a happy life without him, he sounds problematic

onaclearday Sun 10-Nov-19 17:24:23

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. I have discussed this with my friend and he says that he hasn't looked at any porn for quite some time and doesn't intend to. It was a means of relieving his frustration at a difficult time. Although he sees nothing wrong in it I do so we agree to disagree. He is otherwise such a kind and caring person that I will continue to enjoy his company unless there are any unforseen problems. Thank you all again

Ashcombe Sun 10-Nov-19 17:49:55

jocork:

Touché!

Fronkydonky Sun 10-Nov-19 18:19:00

I can assure you that not every man looks at porn. If you are not comfortable with it ( which I certainly would not be) then say cheerio and end this relationship for your own sake. Find someone who loves you for you.

dizzygran Sun 10-Nov-19 18:49:28

I wonder why he told you about this and what is he looking for in your relationship. I was also surprised that he would discuss this with his daughters. I'm not sure about buying the magazines and looking at porn on the internet but if you find this upsetting think carefully about your relationship if you are thinking about taking his further.

Vivian123 Sun 10-Nov-19 19:26:14

Oneclearday.

Looks as if you have sorted this out. Good for you!

Get on and enjoy your life, together.

Best wishes from me.

ReadyMeals Mon 11-Nov-19 10:27:18

Why is it with men they always need to look at something or download stuff to their computers? Why can't they just close their eyes and imagine something? Then there would be nothing embarrassing to discover at the bottom of the wardrobe or under the bed smile

Grandad1943 Mon 11-Nov-19 11:47:22

ReadyMeals Quote [ Why is it with men they always need to look at something or download stuff to their computers? ] End Quote.

ReadyMeals, both some men and some women download "stuff" to their computers in this day and age. If you look back through my posts on in this thread you will view were a women member of staff in our company received immediate dismissal for downloading pornography to her workstation computer.

Rufus2 Mon 11-Nov-19 12:19:53

Why is it with men they always need to look at something or download stuff to their computers?
ReadyMeals; Because they know how! Simple grin

Greeneyedgirl Mon 11-Nov-19 18:34:21

Best wishes from me too onaclearday. If he makes you happy that's the most important thing. I sometimes think we get too hung up about sex.
None of us are perfect.
Life is short, go for it!

Loislovesstewie Mon 11-Nov-19 18:39:58

It's a simple fact that men like to look; they are programmed that way. If you think of a man's reaction to a stripper it tends to be sexual excitement, if I saw a man taking his clothes off I would tend to laugh . I wouldn't find it sexually exciting , just hilarious.
I'm not saying women don't find porn exciting but I think men tend to find it more exciting.

Grandad1943 Tue 12-Nov-19 08:20:57

Loislovesstewie, in regard to your post of @18:39 on the 12/11/19, do you have any links on your belief that men are more interested in viewing pornography than women?

I ask that as it would seem to be just your take on life. However, still working among a sizable staff at the office I tend to get the impression that viewing porn is widely engaged in by both genders these days.

It is often done in a light-hearted way, frequently for "a good laugh" as many video clips are produced in that manner and then shared among both genders of people. That practise as long as it does not involve the use of company computers or phones, or involve anything grossly objectionable or illegal, no one will or should have any objection to.

If it brightens the day when any member of staff is on a well-earned break, why not?

Ameliarose Tue 12-Nov-19 09:11:59

He is not for you ,keep your own standards

Grandad1943 Tue 12-Nov-19 09:20:07

Ameliarose.
????????

Greeneyedgirl Tue 12-Nov-19 09:32:57

I don't believe we can stereotype men with regard to sex, anymore than we can women. There is increasing evidence that female and male brains are very similar, and whilst sex hormones play a part, our brains are also shaped by environment.

There is surely a wide spectrum of behaviour in both sexes?

Alexa Tue 12-Nov-19 09:53:15

Poor little man! All men masturbate.

Loislovesstewie Tue 12-Nov-19 12:50:44

Grandad, I base it on simple observation. Men are more visual creatures,women tend to listen. If you listen to what men like about women physically, it tends to be fairly standard;boobs of a particular size/type, a shapely figure etc. Women don't tend to be so simplistic, many are more interested in what a man sounds like or what his particular skill might be rather than demanding big chest muscles etc. It's why lots of women like to hear men talk intelligently about a subject. It's a turn on for them. I realise that you might not agree but I have observed human behaviour a lot over the years and I do think that there is some evidence that men and women are different in this respect.

I am not saying that women aren't sexually excited by porn but it's more to do with watching people having sex rather than the simple nudity of it. If you recall there was a magazine many years ago that tried doing nude male pin-ups for women. It wasn't really popular and was seen as a bit of a joke by young women . I was one at the time and we did think that. Young men however do find girlie mags exciting .

Rufus2 Tue 12-Nov-19 13:15:51

Grandad, I base it on simple observation
Lois; Assuming you are addressing this Grandad too? For your info. I'm a simple soul too and have always been a "leg man". wink
OoRoo

Gonegirl Tue 12-Nov-19 13:18:12

if it brightens the day when any member of staff is on a well-earned break, why not? (Grandad1943)

There's got to be better ways to spend your time off.

Gonegirl Tue 12-Nov-19 13:19:16

I wonder what attracts men of a certain age to a forum mostly inhabited by women.

Gonegirl Tue 12-Nov-19 13:20:44

And is it a certain type of older man.

Rufus2 Tue 12-Nov-19 13:44:59

I wonder what attracts men of a certain age to a forum mostly inhabited by women
Not that damned elusive "certain age" again! Doesn't it have a number or is it a variable like with some women? sad
To assist with your "wondering"; Two reasons spring to mind (there are more, but it's now Wednesday here and a man must get his beauty sleep!) One, it's the selfless,altruistic nature inherent in his DNA to raise the IQ level and secondly to try and work out what really makes women tick! confusedOoRoo

Rufus2 Tue 12-Nov-19 13:49:15

Sorry; I meant to say "certain women"! hmm