How does sex in the media effect a teen's decision to have sex?

Question

About 2/3 of today's T.V. shows have sexual content, a 270% increase since 1976. American has the highest rate, than any other country, of teens having sex. A study shows 50% of 15-19 year olds are having sex. How does all teh sex in television today effect's a teen's decision to have sex? How can this ''explicit'' entertainment lead to underage sex and teen pregnancy? If we increased the knowledge of the consequences of having sex, do you think the rate of teens have sex lower? Or do you think increases these seminars in schools will cause teens to rebel?

Note: I am doing this for a research paper for my Journalism class at my high school, any input would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Teens have been having sex for all known recorded history. In fact, it used to be common for teens to get married and have children.

I think that because humans are living longer and because it is encouraged for women to complete their education, that it has been more desirable for women to wait before having children. So, society has had to change the thought that it is improper for women to have sex before marriage since women are getting married later in life.

How does this answer your question? Well, I think that a teen's decision to have sex is driven more by hormones than the media.

Answer 2

Despite what your parents probably want you to believe, teenage sex (and drug use) in 1976 was all the rage back then that it is now. Perhaps TV is catching up to reality rather than influencing it.

The 270% change you state doesn't seem to have any empirically verifiable effects on the big trend, and I question the validity of your statement about the USA having the most teen sex. According the the "Human Sexual Behavior" psychology class I took in college, the average age people in the USA first have sex has been fixed for decades. The only thing changing is the willingness to talk about it. If you search for statistics comparing average age of first sexual experience in different countries, you will find that the USA is on par with many other countries. Some do have an older average age, especially in South America, but that has more to do with the strong influence of the Catholic Church driving numbers up rather than US television driving numbers down.

The USA does have a huge number of instances of teen pregnancy relative to other industrialized countries, but again I don't see the correlation with television. This has also been true for a long time. The cause for this strikes me as a more important topic for discussion.

Your question about increasing knowledge of consequences smacks of external influences and bias. The only consequences of sex for most people--at least those without religious baggage--is pleasure and increased intimacy. Of course there are bad things that can happen to irresponsible people, but your question implies that you intend to ignore that these things don't happen to the vast majority of people. Statistics DO show that people who regularly have sex are generally happier than those who don't.

I am not promiscuous, nor do I promote that others should engage in such potentially harmful behavior. But don't assume sex is bad for teenagers. Most of the people who would tell you that were themselves once teens having sex. Refer to my previous statement about average age being fixed for decades. Nevermind scapegoating the media; I postulate that what makes kids want to "rebel" when it comes the things like sex and drugs (especially alcohol) is the preachy, dishonest rhetoric coming from hypocritical adults.

Answer 3

What is portrayed in the media, whether positive or negative, has an effect on people in general and young people in particular who may not yet have developed their own value system. The effects are much more subtle than a horny teen watching a racy movie then going out and having sex. (Although I'm sure that happens at times also) It has to do with what is presented as normal behaviors and attitudes. Sexual promiscuity presented as "cool". Pre-marital sex seems to be expected and virginity is presented as an anomaly. Even in scenes where a parent discusses sex with their teenager, the concept of abstinence is never presented seriously, but rather the thought is "when you are ready".

Answer 4

I really think the media plays a big role on teens having sex. Dont get me wrong, the parents of teens are the biggest impact too but parents now days have a hard time talking to their kids about it because of all the things in the media. I really think that there should be more resources for parents and schools to teach teens the concequences of having sex. I have seen some schools use the dolls that act like babies to help teach teens what it would be like to have sex and end up with a baby. The teen would need to feed it, change the diaper, ect. and also the baby doll would cry and do all things a baby would do. I really think all schools in this country should use those. Schools do need to do more to teach the teens the outcomes of having sex. Not only just having a baby is the outcome. What about STD's or AIDS? Parents also should have some kind of place to go to be able to get recources to talk to their kids. Parents are of course the most important but schools should also be allowed to help and the media needs to do a 360 to clean up their act on what they do put out there for teens.

Answer 5

It is more acceptable today for girls to be pregnant and not married. The media is responsible for showing information that makes teens interested. This is for everything they show on the news. Like how to make crystal meth. Our society has gone so far off the righteous path that anything is accepted. It is a shame due to how many parents need to work just to keep a roof over their heads and no one is home to show the kids how to behave. So, we have allowed television to raise our kids for us. Shame on us, but this is what has happened. Hollywood plays a major part in this as well by showing movies where it's okay to have sex with multiple partners. GOD help us all.

Answer 6

Because the media makes it seem easy and like there aren't really serious consequences to it, and what little they do show is down played. The shows that actually deal with these issues in a reality based manner are not shows that are watched by most youth of today. Also religion and moral responsibility have slipped away in recent years.

Answer 7

Ironic, isn't it?
The movie producers and television networks claim the trash they show in theaters and broadcast over the airwaves has no influence on human behavior.
Yet, their advertising salespeople will tout statistics as to how many millions of people watch those same movies and television shows, claiming that watching their programs and commercials will make people want to buy the advertisers' new cars, shampoo, or whatever other product he's selling. -RKO-

Answer 8

aside from statics. I have taught my daughter from a small child her body is precious, it is not to be touched in any manner, that makes her feel harmed, violated or ashamed.
And more recentely, that sex is an exchange of more than just the physical, and something that you do not share, until marrage, because of the fact that this is a one time deal (viriginity) and once you make that decesion it is gone. She is a christian!

Answer 9

it isnt just tv....our society is plagued with many problems, to single one of them out as THE source is defeating the purpose.

fast food,drugs, music, fashion, lifestyle.....it all contributes on some level, and it has a collective impact on the generation who is most vulnerable to this stuff-teens

Answer 10

Everyone needs to take responsibility for one's own actions and not blame the media.