LBST Blog Post-
Children, Media and Sex: A Big Book of Blank Pages
Audrey Dinyari
(1)Tamsin Rutter, "How
Social Media Can Unlock Hidden Benefits for Councils," The
Guardian (2014),
http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network-serco-partner-zone/social-media-hidden-benefits-councils
(accessed March 27, 2014).[1]
This article explores the environment media is creating for
today’s youths and how media is affecting their views, ideas and activities
surrounding sexuality. One example the
article uses is an R-rated film, “Me and You and Everyone We Know” in which a
young teen is manipulated into oral sex with older teens. The article argues that by showing these
sexual activities on the Internet and TV, young viewers see them as normal and
expected, even at young ages. The impact
of sex in media on youth is a neglected topic.
There is much knowledge on the influences of eating, smoking and
drinking in the media, but not as much on sex.
There is also very little if no regulation on where youths get their
access to information regarding sex.
Unless the parents talk to their children, the only source of
information that gives youths a wide range of information is media. From an outside report, data showed the
average American youth spends one-third of each day with a variety of media
forms, usually with no parental oversight.
Even with precautions like movie ratings and warnings before screenings,
children have various technologies that allow easy access to the Internet and
all the sexual media it holds. Another
source of sexual attitudes and images is song lyrics. The lyrics of much popular music with youth’s
clashes with the abstinence lessons taught in some schools. Children are getting sexually active at
younger and younger ages. The data shows
that sexually active adolescents are at a higher risk for depression and
suicide. They are also associated with
higher alcohol and drug use. The TV is
the most studied media source and it’s influence on its viewers. An average of 3 hours a day is spent in front
of the TV for an American teen. The
majority of the shows teens watch does not portray protected sex. Only 3% of the shows had scenes depicting sex
with protection from disease and pregnancy.
Another form of visual media is music videos aimed at teens. The music genre, hip-hop or pop has plenty of
music videos full of sexual activities or images. Although more studies are needed to measure
the impact and influence over time of teen’s beliefs, attitudes and activities,
sex in the media is a constant factor of our daily lives and we should be more
aware of how it’s affecting our young people during their time of significant
growth and maturity.
Personally, I think the best way to educate youth about sex
and sexuality is through a program required as a part of basic education. Having certified instructors and facilities
available for information and services is key for young people to feel
comfortable asking questions and seeking a more informed understanding of
sexual issues. The media cannot be
regulated so parents and people in other leadership positions must see the
importance of teaching accurate information and encouraging questions when
students want more information. I think
a main problem is that when kids do have questions on sex and sexuality, they don’t
have a safe, comfortable adult to go to.
They instead turn to the Internet and media and get a blurred and or
photo-shopped image of what they were looking for. By having a program that reaches youth by the
time they start understanding the information the media presses on them, they
can have a safe and understanding outlet to ask questions and seek advice. (3) (Brody 2006)
Relating this reading to class,
this article shows just how the source of our information about sex has changed
over time. Generations ago before the
Internet and online dating sites and porn sites and even before TV, sex
education was taught from personal accounts and social movements. As science progressed and technology improved
the general knowledge about sex increased and soon pamphlets and ads for birth
control were widespread. Then finally in
1912 the National education Association endorsed sex education and learning about
reproduction and hygiene was created into a standard program for all. The creation of the computer and the Internet
is a huge cornerstone in sex education and sex in the media. The technology has reshaped society’s image
and ideals of sex and sexual roles. The
sources of education have changed so drastically in just a couple centuries
that it is hard to imagine where we will learn about sex fast forward 200 years
from today. (2) Crystal Moore, Combined
Civilized Morality Leads to Crusades for Sexual Order, (2014), Slide 31.
Citations
[1] Rutter, Tamsin. "How Social Media Can Unlock
Hidden Benefits for Councils." The Guardian. (2014).
http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network-serco-partner-zone/social-media-hidden-benefits-councils
(accessed March 27, 2014).
[2] Moore, Crystal. Combined Civilized
Morality Leads to Crusades for Sexual Order. 2014.
[3] Brody, Jane E. "Children, Media and Sex: A
Big Book of Blank Pages." The New York Times, , sec. Personal
Health, Jan 31, 2006.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/31/health/31brod.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
(accessed March 30, 2014).
[1] Rutter, Tamsin. "How Social Media Can Unlock
Hidden Benefits for Councils." The Guardian. (2014).
http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network-serco-partner-zone/social-media-hidden-benefits-councils
(accessed March 27, 2014).
[3] Brody, Jane E. "Children, Media and Sex: A
Big Book of Blank Pages." The New York Times, , sec. Personal
Health, Jan 31, 2006.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/31/health/31brod.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
(accessed March 30, 2014).
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