[Adolescences, Sex, and the Media]

By

Acknowledgement

This research would not have been possible without the support of my family members and my research supervisor so I would like to thank them for their utmost support throughout this research.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical development period where gender roles, sexual attitudes, and sexual behaviors are starting to take shape. If adolescences are exposed to sexual content due to media usage such television or movies, they would be more likely to undergo the potentially negative consequences of that exposure. Sexual content is described as the talk or behavior involving sexuality, sexual suggestiveness, or sexual activities/relationships. The connection to media and adolescent sex behavior is linked because more sexual content on media came at a time when rates of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are unacceptably high.

Studies have found that sexually related talk and behavior occurs from 8 to 10 times per hour in prime-time programming with 67% of all prime-time shows with some sexual material. Kissing and physical flirting are the most frequent behaviors and intercourse is sometimes depicted or implied. In addition, about 80% of all movies shown on network or cable television stations have sexual content. For music videos, 6 out of 10 included sexual feelings and impulses through lyrics and displays of provocative clothing and sexually suggestive body movements. Adolescences now have greater access to R- and X-rated movies through pay TV channels and video tape rentals.

The impact of sexual media influence is beyond sexual acts. Adolescences perceive ideas about what it is like to be a man or woman and believe that the depictions of intimacy and sex are realistic. Media programming of sex often fails to imply the negative consequences of these acts such as STDs or pregnancies. Adolescences still engage in sexual acts even though they have knowledge about AIDS and STDs and generally do not take precautions. Less than 10% of sexually active adolescences use condoms consistently. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 15% of adolescences have contracted an STD. However, the percentage may be underestimated because random samples were taken and the disease could have easily spread.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION8

Background8

Hypothesis9

Research questions9

Significance of the Study9

Target audience10

Gantt chart10

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW11

Theories of Media Violence Effects on Behavior12

Sex Education, Comprehensive13

A Broader Perspective15

Accomplishing Change16

Gender Expectations17

Mass Media Influence on Teen Sexual Culture18

Teen Pregnancy19

Statistics on Teen Pregnancy19

A Social Problem21

Sexual content in the media23

Adolescence vulnerable stage of life24

Sexuality25

Advertising25

Youth and premarital sex26

Changes in ways of thinking26

The influence of mass media27

Influence of media freedoms and sexual values28

Measurement Instrument29

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY34

Interview34

Informal, Conversational Interview35

General Interview Guide Approach35

Standardized, open-ended interview35

Closed, fixed-response interview35

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION36

Sex in the media36

Sexual material and psychological concepts37

Sexual material and deviant sexual behavior39

Sexual material and psychological and physical health40

Conformity and ...