...Marnice Thomas Mass Communications 101-5XB 04-14-09 Sex in the Media and Its Effects on Teens The mainstream media portrays sex in a way that permanently scars many teens before their teen years are over. Sex can be portrayed as the way to attain status and happiness in life. Advertisements still use sex to sell products, maybe more than ever. As a society, we are more aware than ever of the danger of sexually transmitted diseases. Yet teens are bombarded with sexually explicit images as if STDs were something that only happened to other people. It is not surprising that some young people today act out their fantasies of sexual domination and power by raping or murdering others. Sex is a gift from God. When a man and a woman marry, they should be able to look forward to enjoying a fulfilling sexual relationship for the rest of their lives. Yet long before people marry in our society, they have been forced to view images of cosmetically perfect bodies engaged in simulations of sexual acts. The way mainstream media portrays sex leaves many teens ill prepared for a life where lasting sexual joy can only come from a relationship built on mutual love, respect, honesty, and trust. Sex is the second strongest of the psychological appeals, right behind self-preservation. Its strength is biological and instinctive. However, its effectiveness...
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...Are Teens Influenced By Media To Have More Sex Or Have Sex At An Earlier Age? Most successful human relationships are based on respect and affection. It is important to encourage these types of principles to teenagers. Unfortunately, teenagers often are exposed to peer pressure, sexual media context and become sexually active before understanding the emotional bases of human sexuality. Media in general has failed one the main principle of relationships. A great deal of shows in TV programs suggests that sexuality comes from emotional intimacy, as something glamorous, instinctive, and what is more dangerous a risk free lifestyle. Teens are exposed to learn about sex on different types of social experiences since their information comes from participation and observation from other people; sadly much of this information turns out to be false and negative. Moreover, media has been too indifferent to the image transmitted in connection to sex and its consequences. Approximately 85% of all sex television shows are between couples who are not married or have no commitment to each other. Moreover, teens are exposed to a sexual world where violence abounds and where love and commitment are conspicuous by their absence. Instead of exploring into a more complex issue of human intimacy, TV shows are satisfied showing couples having sex instead of the intimacy of making love. Another factor that contributes to access of sexual information from the media is limited responsibility...
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... academically supported body of work, designed to retort the following questions: How and why are semantically sexualised women used as a perceptive marketing stunt’ and ‘what role does the media play in legitimizing gender discrepancies through framing and cultivation strategies? Coaxed by the issue of female objectification in the mass media, the following research was conducted both practically, and theoretically, to overtly annunciate the social and democratic problems associated with advertised female subordination. The relative research involves a semiotic analysis of two sources, coupled with a survey of 40 candidates of varying ages. Furthermore, theoretical mechanisms of media framing and cultivation have been deconstructed throughout this article to uncover the impact of magnified female subordination on the domestic expectations of children and young adults. Through the collection of data, it was able to be conclusively recognized the impact of objectification on social attitudes. Results had shown the many conceptions concerning the female purpose, these include; a woman’s role as a domestic and sexual slave to her male partner. Through the convergence of data, semiotic analysis and academic theory, it may be meticulously understood how female objectification in the mass media is a social complication in the construction of an egalitarian future. ‘Women’s bodies are predominantly valued for its use to others’ Fredrickson & Roberts 1997 During the past decade,...
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...The Power of Media to influence youth Abstract: This study is based on one of the most common methods of qualitative research – Thematic Analysis. It highlights the extent to which print media is using sexuality to generate interest amongst the youth for a particular product or service. The study also focuses on the effect that mass media have on our youngsters. To prove this further, the theory of Social Reflection has been used as a tool which shows the kind of impact a particular message or an advertisement (in this case) will have on society. For this test random sampling method was used, fourteen random newspapers from 30th May 2002 to 10th November 2011 were taken as samples to conduct the test. The study has verified and there are enough grounds on basis of which it can be said that print media or media in general is communicating the messages in a way which has got huge impact on our young generation. Introduction: United Kingdom is facing a lot challenge because of increasing rate of teenage sex and the credit for this goes to media which openly portrays sexual activities. Apart from this United Kingdom is also worried about the rising health issues amongst teens who are highly vulnerable to media .Schools in United Kingdom have incorporated sex education as a subject to equip students with the needed information. Still teenage pregnancy cases are highest in United Kingdom. Only teaching sex education as a subject in Schools is...
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...University Abstract Sex and Marriage There are many excerpts from the Bible that speak on what sex is supposed to entail. Sex is God’s gift to men and women who come together in the commitment of marriage. * Hebrews 13:4, NIV. "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure." * I Corinthians 7:3,4, NIV says, "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife." * I Corinthians 7:5, TLB. "So do not refuse these rights to each other. The only exception to this rule would be the agreement of both husband and wife to refrain from the rights of marriage for a limited time, so that they can give themselves more completely to prayer. Afterwards, they should come together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt them because of their lack of self-control." In the aforementioned passages it is implied that the union of marriage should be honored by all and not just the two that are married. It is also implied that once man and woman are married their body then becomes something that is shared so to deny one’s spouse of their marital duties on a consistent basis that is not agreed upon by both husband and wife leaves them susceptible to temptations outside of their marriage. Forbidden Sex When interpreting God’s will in relation to sex the most well-known...
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...How does the sexual content found in current media affect people of varying age groups? Introduction Technology has taken a dramatic turn in advancement in the last decade, along with the way we communicate and share information with each other, and has made it easier through the media. What is media? According to Wikipedia, "Media are the storage and transmission channels or tools used to store and deliver information or data. It is often referred to as synonymous with mass media or news media, but may refer to a single medium used to communicate any data for any purpose". We can confidently then say that media takes the form of TV, radio, the internet, cell phones, motion pictures, billboards, newspapers and books. This betterment of media has come with some merits and demerits as far as how it affects us. This paper looks at how the erotic materials media throws at us has affected, and is still affecting us, negatively. Let's start with our children and how the media has managed to take away their innocence by arousing their sexual desires. "Children begin to experiment with sex as they enter their teens” (as cited in Weiten and McCann, p 403) and at that age are vulnerable to whatever sexual contents they watch or hear. We all learn by observing someone act a certain way over and over. It is the power of observational learning that makes television such an influential determinant of behaviour (as cited in Weiten and McCann, p 254). Most of children, especially in...
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...We live in a world when the internet consumes most of our time and social media is our number one priority. With social media being such a huge factor in our lives, it has indeed had an effect on the morals of Americans. Social media has caused a great shift in american values over the past few decades. The increase usage of social media has indeed played a large factor in shifting morals. Social media has given us the ability to get something across as such a fast rate on such a large scale. Also, a person is now able to conceal their identity and remain anonymous online also plays a factor. Nowadays you're most likely going to find a computer in almost every American Household. According to Pewresearch.com, over 87 Percent of Americans own a computer and about two-thirds own a smartphone....
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...long-legged, non-disabled body. * Unrealistic media ideals of female beauty have spawned a multitude of “body confidence” campaigns * A recent report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Body Image found that girls as young as five are worrying about their size and appearance, and that one in four seven-year-old girls have tried to lose weight at least once. And, as the BSA survey results show, a preoccupation with body image affects women throughout their lives, not just in their youth. It holds women back by eroding their confidence both at work and socially. MEN BODY IMAGE * Men are also given the 'perfection' blueprint. They should be strong, muscular, show no emotion. * They are told constantly to "Man Up" and to "Be a Man." The size of a man's penis is constantly bought up in many a conversation between girlfriends over lunch, much like his performance in the bedroom. Men Models: abbs, toned, oiled, glossy bodies. * Tend to hit the gym more, buling up and gaining becomes the issue. And things like sterioids. * Some of you ladies reading this may scoff and roll your eyes, thinking "Welcome to my life!" Yes, us women have had to deal with this sort of scrutiny for much of their lives, but we shouldn't be under the assumption that men don't know the feeling. * Truth be told, we are all victims of the media. No one is safe. NOTE: ITS JUST AS HARD TO BE KEN AS IT IS TO BE BARBIE Media, and Sex: Recently, three studies have found a cause-and-effect...
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...Sex and Violence Paper Michael Wright Com/340 June 29, 2015 Leigh Pethe Sex and Violence Paper People should mull over every dissimilar dynamic involved prior to setting their sight on the reasoning when they decide whether or not movies, television and video games have any effect on young people. It may possibly be an exhilarating or an extremely exasperating experience. It all depends on the way people try to tackle this concern. People ought to use all the data at their disposal and follow the instructions prior to looking for that ideal resolution. All through this essay, people can gain familiarity, information and examples on the way young people are affected by sex and violence. Many of the likely victims are immature and inexperienced, and because it is human nature, consequently desire the things they observe. A certain method to expect a procedure of transformation however might not be a simple assignment after all is taking the occasion to find out why young people are the audience that is targeted. “Their superior abstract reasoning abilities and their tendency at this age to challenge conventional authority make adolescents particularly susceptible to imitating some kinds of television violence, crime and portrayals of suicide”(Josephson,2011). The study just involves a minute proportion of young people even though the data given is based on figures. Young people appear to be persuaded effortlessly, mainly by their peers. Ponder what young people’s life desires...
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...one would break the news to their parents might be even greater, and finding help may seem an impossible task. People might think that they can help others, or one might be too embarrassed to search for help. For the most part, when one sees teenagers raising children, we often think that the teen has been raped or is too mature for their age. For this reason, some totally miss the issues that one must have been exposed to in their society, the society of their home, community, school. There are many viewpoints as to why teenage females are having so many children out of wedlock. However, the facts are obvious—teenaged females are highly influenced by many social issues, but those with the lack of strong parental guidance, sex education, and positive mass media are more likely to have a premarital pregnancy. As one travels the globe, they will find that industrialized and developing countries have distinctly different rates of teenage pregnancy. In the online article, “Teen Pregnancy on the Rise,” Sipokazi Maposa says that in developed countries, teenage pregnancies are associated with many social issues: lower educational levels, higher rates of poverty, and no strong parental guidance in the teenagers life. Maposa discusses the challenges which teens in Africa face as the teenage pregnancy rate increase. She contributes a wealth of information as to why teens have children at such a young age. Maposa suggests that...
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...final results of the 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The survey shows that childbearing is increasing among girls from 15 to 19 years old across all regions in the Philippines. Teenage pregnancy is prevalent in the Philippines due to the influence of media, absence of good role models and lack of financial resources. Messages from the newspapers, magazines, radio and television have always had a great influence in shaping adolescent behavior. The media and advertising business has always been successful in making people recall their brands. Advertising not only encourages consumers to buy goods and services they cannot afford, but also appeals to the emotions of the customers. Sex appeal is used to sell products in many ways. The people in the media industry take advantage of the audience’s responsiveness to sexual stimuli to make a profit. The increasing sexualization of content in the media suggests teenagers that these are normal ways to behave. Advertisement and the media have found ways to sell sex, regardless of the target audience. Sex talk is typical in magazines like Cosmopolitan, FHM and Maxim. Sex is the main theme in TV series like Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl and Sex and the City. Nudity is prevailing in movies like American Pie, Love & Other Drugs and Fifty Shades of Grey. Lyrics with sexual innuendos are rampant in songs like Feels Like The First Time, Milkshake and Physical. The prominence of sexual themes in magazines, television...
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...to educate and attempt to lower the teen pregnancy rate, the United States still maintains one of the highest rates in the world. I believe that while we in the United States try to lower this rate, we are not doing enough to educate and better inform the youth. We need to invest in comprehensive sex education and change the messages were sending teens through the media. I’m from an area where teen pregnancy is a norm. It frightens me knowing that my two younger sisters may become part of a tragic statistic. People blow off teen pregnancy like it is not a big deal, but we need to fix the “solutions” that our government has set out. We have several programs currently available to youth in the United States one of which is sex education. However the media play the most negative role in offsetting the work we as a society perform to help our teens be healthy and not fall into a trap. While sexuality is completely natural and healthy, teens are still not fully aware of some of the consequences that come with teen sex. The first thing I see that needs to be changed is our sex education system. The United States has two major forms of sex education: abstinence only and comprehensive sex education. The first, abstinence only, has been the program of choice for our government to fund. However, research has shown little promise since its emergence. “Studies overwhelmingly have found little or no evidence that abstinence-only courses change teen sexual behavior in ways that would avert...
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...Mass media is an industry that is hard to penetrate. It is often difficult, as an individual, to express your ideologies and beliefs towards a greater audience than those of your current circle of friends and family. Traditional media frequently represents the sentiments and opinions of politicians and celebrities, as opposed to the views of the general public. So, the individuals are able to advocate their voices easier by taking advantage of various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more. This act, often referred to as citizen journalism, is used to facilitate the spreading of news particularly towards ‘Gay Marriage’. This process of dissemination is an effective strategy as an effort to communicate their ‘voices being heard’. Now, Twitter, as a media platform, is being used to promote or demote the voices of Gay Marriage. The immediacy and easy format to distribute the message to a widespread audience is its most appealing trait. Many twitter users have dedicated tweets to the possibility of Gay Marriage, whether they are supporters of the lesbian and gay community or highly against the implementation of gay marriage. They utilize the readily available news articles, their own photos, links to videos and hash tags to spread their relevant gay marriage message. Twitter is an excellent platform to send messages to a vast audience. Very often in online news articles or blogs, readers are encouraged to leave their own feedback and comments...
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...Literature shows that there is a growing use of media in today’s culture. Many people use the media for educational purposes, others use it for pleasure or relaxation, and some just use it to fill space or take up time (Brown, 2002). The usage of media has led to a concern in parents about its influence on adolescent’s decision making about sex and how to deal with sexual situations. Many programs such as prime time television shows and soap operas have laced sexual innuendos and situations into their programming that I believe portrays a negative message to adolescents and others that view it. Sex is becoming a big part in our society today. It is also used in advertising/marketing which is a lot of the commercials we watch during our television time, our game playing time, or magazine reading time. The goal of this study is finding out if mass media really has an influence on decision making and learning about sex. In the end, the reader will be able to clearly see whether or not the mass media influences the decisions of adolescents and others in sexual situations as well as inform the reader how the mass media is used to educate people on the topic of sex. Also, it will draw a light on the subject of mass media using sex to subliminally market products to the population. The reader will begin to realize the impact of mass Medias influence on decision making in certain sexual situations as well as know what to look for in mass media when he or she uses it. METHOD In...
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...22 Carter, C. (2011) “Sex/Gender and the Media: From Sex Roles to Social Construction and Beyond,” in Ross, K. (ed) The Handbook of Gender, Sex and Media, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN-10: 1444338544; 365-82. ISBN-13: 978-1444338546 Sex/Gender and the Media From Sex Roles to Social Construction and Beyond Cynthia Carter Introduction In the early years of second-wave western feminism, many gender researchers and feminist scholars distinguished between the notion of sex, defined as biological differences between male and female, and ‘sex roles,’ referring to certain behaviors and characteristics attributed to each sex that was a social construction. The resulting media research centered on images of women in the media (much less emphasis was placed on men) in order to draw attention to inequities in their portrayal in relation to men (in quantitative terms as well as in terms of the use of stereotypes). Since the 1970s, however, the scope of social constructionism has greatly expanded in feminist theory. Some suggest that the distinction between the biological and the social has, as a result, eroded to such an extent that it is no longer possible to understand the difference, while others question the need for this distinction. For instance, in queer and transgender theory and feminist cultural studies, theorists have sought to make strange the ‘sex/gender’ distinction. The key argument made is that biology is no less a cultural construct than gender socialization into...
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