What's Wrong With This Picture

What’s wrong with the picture that pornography portrays is that it is harmful to women, to sex and to men.  Without realizing it, many men who view pornography internalize the messages and norms that pornography reinforces.   This internalization has a demonstrated impact on

• how men view women,
• how men engage in and experience sex,
• how men view masculinity,
• men’s support for women or men who disclose that they’ve been raped,
• the degree and intensity of men’s support for rape myths,
• men’s willingness to engage as activist bystanders against rape and rape culture.

What’s Wrong With This Picture (WWWTP) provides tools, resources and services to  which men can explore the messages presented in pornography and examine the relationship between these messages and their own norms and values.  WWWTP offers a way for men to begin a critical examination and review of their own experiences of viewing pornography and the impact its had on them.

The core of WWWTP is an eight-session facilitated educational program to help men explore the impact of viewing pornography. This is not a program that addresses porn addiction ( for info in this regard or if you feel like you’re in need of services or support, go here: https://yourbrainonporn.com/). While it is clear that some men do become addicted to pornography, only a portion of men’s viewing of pornography can be explained by addiction.

While WWWTP is based on the premise that viewing pornography has many significant harms, the program is designed to work with men in a welcoming and non-judgmental way. The goal of WWWTP is not necessarily to stop men from viewing pornography, that would be a highly ambitious (and frankly unrealistic) goal for any eight-week program seeking to change behaviors. Rather the goals of WWWTP are to:

• Encourage men to critically explore the impact of their viewing of pornography
• Deepen empathy and compassion for women’s experience of pornography

In addition to this educational program, WWWTP has a booklet describing and overview, and additional resources and materials that are in constant development.

For Campuses

For Faith Communities

Articles

Tools

Videos

Websites & Organizations

• An introduction to pornography (which includes an exercise exploring how men were introduced to pornography);
• How viewing pornography tends to affect how men look at the women in their classrooms, offices, neighborhoods, places of worship, etc.;
• The lessons learned from viewing pornography on how to flirt, date, and negotiate sexual behavior;
• The impact of viewing pornography on men’s attitudes regarding rape/sexual assault, dating violence, and on their willingness to interrupt abusive, harassing or hurtful behavior by other men;
• Pornography and racism;
• Ways men can act to challenge pornography and rape culture.

The curriculum is designed to walk you through how to facilitate this program. While you can probably facilitate this program very effectively by purchasing the curriculum, you are strongly encouraged to get trained on the facilitation of this program before attempting to do so.

“With What’s Wrong with This Picture Rus Funk has designed a course for men on the impact of today’s pornography. The information, opportunities for dialogue and tips for reflection sets the stage for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of pornography not only on their own lives, but also on others. I also appreciate how the curriculum moves from insight to skills to take effective action. Rus builds on his many years of work in this field to engage men in a meaningful and compassionate way. This is an exciting new resource.” 

 — Cordelia Anderson, MA, Author Impact of Pornography on Children, Youth and Culture. NEARI 2011/2017.

“Rus Funk has created a stunningly effective approach to reaching men about the impact that pornography has on the lives of women — and of men. “What’s Wrong With This Picture” teaches us how to engage men of all ages in a process of serious reflection and reevaluation, while also steering us away from becoming preachy or shaming. The curriculum is highly detailed, guiding any group leader in how to introduce each topic and how to create a group process that facilitates growth. The materials you need for group exercises and for handouts are all right there. If you have ever wondered, how to get men to think critically about this super-sensitive issue, Rus Funk has just handed you your answer.” 

—  Lundy Bancroft, author Why Does He Do That: Inside the MInds of Angry and Controlling Men

“Porn is everywhere unexamined. Men look at it. Men use it. But few of us really see it for what it is and what it does. That is all about to change. Through this curriculum, Rus Funk opens our eyes, taking us on a critical journey to find that the emperor, indeed, wears no clothes.  If we have the courage, we will learn something important about ourselves in the process.” 

— Peter Qualliotine, Director of Men’s Accountability, Organization for Prostitution Survivors

“Rus Funk’s curriculum, What’s Wrong with This Picture? The Impact of Viewing Pornography, takes a taboo -yet ubiquitous- topic, pornography, and gently delves into its pervasive themes of violence, its reliance on stereotypes, and the lasting harmful effects it has on viewers. Funk’s toolkit engenders non-judgmental, dynamic conversations by guiding instructors and participants with goals, activities, and visual aids over a period of eight sessions. Funk’s understanding of masculinity and hetero-normativity is highlighted in the use of humor, honesty, reflection, and – most importantly – meeting men where they are. Derived from a position of empathy and driven by radical honesty, Funk’s curriculum will elevate men to critical consciousness and prepare them to take action against pornography consumption.” 

— Shea M. Rhodes, Esquire, Director and Co-Founder Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation