Brody, J. (31 Jan 2006

). “Children, Media and Sex: A Big Book of Blank Pages.” New York Times, pp. F7.

OVERVIEW

About 47 percent of high school students have had sexual intercourse.  More than four percent of sexually experienced teens admit they had sex before they were thirteen years old, and 14 percent of this group acknowledges they have had four or more sexual partners.  The rates of STDs are higher among teenagers than among adults, and 35 percent of young women have been pregnant at least once by the time they reach twenty years old. 

The possibility that sexually saturated media is influencing teens to become more sexually active is an often neglected issue.  One researcher stated, “Although a great deal is known about the effects of mass media on other adolescent behaviors, such as eating, smoking and drinking, we know basically nothing about the effects of mass media on adolescent sexual behaviors.”

Since the average American adolescent spends one-third of every day with assorted types of mass media, it seems rational that media would play a role in shaping their attitudes and behaviors. 

A study performed by the Kaiser Family Foundation noted that 83 percent of television shows that are popular among teenagers have some sort of sexual content, and that 20 percent of these shows contain explicit or implied sexual intercourse.  The study also discovered that television characters who are involved in sexual behavior seldom experience any negative consequences.  Overall, the study concluded that adolescents and children who watch more than average amounts of sexual television behave sexually as if they are nine to seventeen months older than their true age.  Moreover, the results suggested that teenagers who watch sexual television shows are more likely to misjudge how often certain sexual behaviors occur among their peers. 

Even with all of this information, we do not fully understand the scope of television’s influence.  Researchers need to conduct more studies so we can observe the actual effect sexual television has on adolescent sexual behaviors.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & REFLECTION

1.                  Do you watch television with sexual content? 

2.                  Do you think programs with sexual content affect your attitudes about sexuality?

3.                  Do you know if the young people you are acquainted with watch television with sexual content?  Are they sexually active?

4.                  Is adolescent sexual activity a negative thing?  Why?

5.                  Is it important for young people to recognize the consequences of sexual activity with teens?  If the media is not effectively illustrating these consequences, who is?  Who should be?

6.                  How can an adult approach a sensitive topic like sexuality without distancing young people?

IMPLICATIONS

Teenage sexual activity is causing problems for youth today.  They are experiencing negative physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences because of their sexual behaviors.  It is important for adults who care about youth to understand the underlying causes of adolescent sexual behavior.  If television is influencing teenagers to become more sexually active, youth leaders need to find a way to combat the messages of the media.  Young people need to be aware of the practical consequences of sexual activity and the moral reasons for maintaining chastity.  Since the media is not providing young people with this information, youth leaders and other responsible adults need to find ways to communicate with adolescents about these sensitive issues.

Stacy Haddon cCYS