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Sexuality and the Media

Sexuality and the Media . Shanay Lewis . “The body of research about how children and teenagers learn about sexuality from the media is slim at best………However, three new studies indicate that the media is a force to be reckoned with when considering WHEN teens begin to have sex.”.

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Sexuality and the Media

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  1. Sexuality and the Media Shanay Lewis

  2. “The body of research about how children and teenagers learn about sexuality from the media is slim at best………However, three new studies indicate that the media is a force to be reckoned with when considering WHEN teens begin to have sex.” Strausburgerpg 212-213

  3. Oh my...I didn’t realize. In ONE year… • Kids and teens view nearly 14,000 sexual references, innuendoes, and behaviors. • Less than 170 involve the use of birth control, self control, abstinence, or responsibility. • 75% of PRIMETIME TV contains sexual content. • 3 sexual references per hour.

  4. Percentage of shows with sexual content over time

  5. Media Protection or Promotion? Is the media censoring the WRONG message? • NBC – in 1976, NBC Standards and Practices Department (the network censors) refused to allow the use of the word “Responsible” when James – 15 and his girlfriend were about to have sex and wanted to discuss birth control. • While Prime time TV advertises sex 3 times per hour, networks confine birth control advertisements and PSA’s to late night television. • What is the message?

  6. Background Discussions • Networks allow birth contraceptive “talk” when its contraceptive uses are veiled • Ex: Ortho Tri-Cycle, birth control advertised for its ability to help reduce acne. • Targets a pubescent audience • Along with sexual content in primetime media, there is also an increase of “four letter wording.” • How has the new celebrity role model projected in Primetime TV changed the outlook of sexuality in the media? • Paris, Hilton, Brittney Spears, Lindsay Lohan

  7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iFDdULwtzI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=ULhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iFDdULwtzI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

  8. “Although the data are not quite as convincing as with media violence, a handful of studies show that media sex still warrants considerable concern” pg224

  9. Television as a Source of Sexual Information • Television is an effective sex educator for many reasons… • Parents supply limited/restricted /biased information. • Parents rarely discuss sexual activity or birth control • Teenagers are dissatisfied with parental attempts at “The Talk” • In a 2004 national survey of 519 teens, ages 15-19, the media FAR outranked parents or schools as a source of info about birth control. • Only 10-30% of schools offer comprehensive quality sex ed. • 30% are abstinence only programs. This is not the parents preference

  10. Where do Kids say they learn the MOST? Although Magazines, Books, TV and Movies are not the top ranked, combined, media is the leading source at 51%

  11. Peers Play a Role in Sex Education • Their info may be incomplete, misleading, distorted and transmitted by means of jokes, boasting etc. and may also be influenced by the media • The Media is considered a “Super-Peer” • Creates pressure to have sex earlier than expected • Studies show that teens who are avid consumers of media, are more likely to overestimate the number of their peers who are sexually active • Some studies show that greater exposure to sexual content on TV led to a more positive attitude toward recreational sex Teens and Adults acknowledge media as having an important ROLE in sexual information, but say it does NOT influence their BEHAVIOR.

  12. What Do Children Learn from Television? • Television influences viewers perception of social behavior • Teenagers vs. Adults perception of Sex on Television in %s

  13. Why Teenagers may be Susceptible to Sexual Content in the Media • Teens seek to resemble actors and actresses • Trying on different social “Masks” • Teens often see themselves as egocentrically • They are the stars in their own fables. • Normal rules (safe sex and consequences) don’t apply • Teens may not be as susceptible as young children to media violence, they are more susceptible to sexual content • Teens may actually believe that what they watch on TV is real. • Several studies support the “Cultivation Hypothesis” • Students who model themselves after media figures had higher rates of sexual activity …etc

  14. Movies • Are less significant than television • Movies command less time from the avg teen • Usually viewed with friends, allowing socialization effects to temper effects • If teens see 2 movies per week at the cinema, that still ONLY represents 10-15% of the time they spend watching TV. • 80% of movies later shown on network cable TV contain explicitly more sexual content while in the theatre. • More graphic, more content, more suggestive. • Children and Teens overcome the Movie Rating System by simply viewing the content on DVD. Baby Boomers and Gen Y’ers have children and grandchildren now, thus producing a vast teen audience…. New Target Group

  15. TEEN R-Rated movies ??? • Since the 1980’s, virtually every R-Rated Teen Movie has contained atleast one nude scene and up to 15 instances of sexual intercourse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IUZkug8qo8

  16. Print Media • Magazines reflect the same trend as seen in TV and Movies. • By the 1970’s Good HouseKeeping, Ladies Home Journal and Time magazines showed a threefold increase in sexual content and or terminology. • Adolescents who read sports magazines are more likely to engage in riskier behavior • Girls say they rely on print media for information on sex, birth control and health issues.

  17. SEVENTEEN and SASSY magazines contain • Traditional Socialization messages • Girls are obsessed with guys, girls are heterosexual, care about your looks, shop shop shop, Losing your virginity, Getting Turned On and My girlfriend got pregnant

  18. The Nature of Research Research in Sexy TV in media is scarce by Necessity • Researchers use “Content Analysis” • Analyze or examine the amount of sexual material in current programming , lyrics and articles without addressing the effects. • Research in the New Millennium: • Soap Operas • Reality TV • Advertisements • Research shows upward trends in sexuality in all three areas

  19. Calvin Klein THEN/NOW 1980 – Brooke Shields NOW – Eva Mendez

  20. Prosocial Sexual Content on TV EDUTAINMENT… The practice of embedding socially responsible messages into mainstream programming. The Goal… Increase the amount of accurate and prosocial sexual content on television. Ex: Felicity episode that speaks on Date Rape. - Condom use - Teen pregnancy - Eating disorders

  21. The Research Continues… • Analysts continue to examine media in relation to sexual content. • Pornography and all its variations • Books • Movies • Television

  22. The consideration that must be made is that in advertising sexual content to youth in the media, whether it is oversexed and provocative, or pro-social and educational; we must be prepared to deal with the effects… • Teaching about birth control means there will be a need to make it more readily available. • Too who? • How young is too young? • Who do we hold accountable for mainstream messaging? • Increased quality Sex Education • How much do we really want our kids to know?

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