THE IMPACT OF PREOCUPATION WITH SEXUAL ACTIVITY, ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF INTERNET, ON THE FAMILY — A PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE

Together with the tremendous growth in the number of users of the internet in recent years, there was a similar growth with regard to pornographic websites as well as internetsex.
According to researchers and counsellors, more and more families and individuals get stuck in this trap, with destructive results for marriages and children. This article focuses on the magnitude of this problem, its progressive character as well as a number of possible causes. Typical behaviour of those addicted to this problem is evaluated as well as the impact of this addiction on sexual intimicy within marriage.
Pastoral guidelines that include a treatment program is discussed and practical hints are suggested. The article is concluded with a number of important websites of organisations that are providing via internet a large quantity of literature and support services.

Ten slotte word pastorale riglyne asook praktiese wenke aan die hand gedoen waarvolgens persone en gesinne gehelp kan word. Betreffende metodologie is die vertrekpunt vanuit ’n psigologiesgeoriënteerde pastorale benadering. Indien die DSM-IV klassifikasiestelsel (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) (APA 1994) genoegsame voorsiening gemaak het vir die akkommodering van die probleem van seksuele verslawing geassosieer met die internet, dan sou hierdie taak veel makliker gewees het.2 In verskeie opsigte is die area wat in hierdie artikel verken word, dus ’n braakveld.