Over 40 years of scientific investigation has led researchers to conclude that media violence significantly contributes to aggressive attitudes and behavior in society. 9 Film and Television Mounting evidence suggests that negative perceptions of women in entertainment can affect women in real life. Research examining onscreen violence toward women finds that emotional desensitization can occur after viewing as few as two films with sexually degrading and violent themes. Studies also show that men who view a number of films in which women are portrayed in sexually degrading or violent situations become increasingly less disturbed by violence against women and less sympathetic toward female victims of violence. In addition, films initially found demeaning to women are judged to be less so after prolonged exposure.
Some people target pornography as the medium most likely to depict women in an offensive manner.
A number of studies have also shown that violent pornography has a numbing effect, allowing men to commit sexual assaults without recognizing the pain suffered by their female victims. Furthermore, studies where pornographic films are shown to students disclose that in the end, male students are more hostile toward women's rights and to their struggle for equality. However, studies show that mainstream films and magazines are often more violent than pornography. Popular slasher films such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre , Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street regularly portray scenes of graphic violence against passive female victims. In addition, these men often do not believe the rapist should be punished.