...Media Portrayal of Sexuality and Adolescents Kaylene Merchant PSY/265 September 4, 2014 Doris Tolan Media Portrayal of Sexuality and Adolescents It is no secret that the media can have a major influence over the lives of individuals; it helps to shape trends and social behaviors across our nation and the world. Adults and children alike can be influenced into certain behaviors based on what they witness through the media, and teenagers, who are fairly impressionable, are no exception. The effects of the media’s portrayal of sexuality are ranging, but it is safe to say that the majority of individuals in the US have all been affected in one way or another by the media. The consequences of the media’s effect on adolescents has only been examined through correlational studies which compared the sexual activity portrayed in the media with trends among teens (Gruber & Grube, 2000). From the research found, it is obvious that adolescents tend to reflect the sexuality that they witness through the media. The media often shows sexuality as a commodity, and the casual acceptance is typically adopted by adolescents. Adolescents are more likely to engage in the behaviors that are shown as appropriate by the media. This means that after a teenage girl sees how young pregnant girls are turned into reality stars, she is more likely to engage in the same behaviors in hopes of becoming famous. As young men witness the acceptance of promiscuity, they may take part in the same activities...
Words: 569 - Pages: 3
...Adolescent Sexuality and Modern Media ENG 122 August 5, 2012 Adolescent Sexuality and Modern Media Adolescents are greatly influenced negatively by media of today, whether that is adult television, music, or the World Wide Web. Our society is consumed by some form of media today, which could be the overabundance of reality shows on TV or by the use of Facebook which is exposing the youth to sexual content and innuendos. With the freedom of speech engraved into the United States Constitution, to ask that the media be regulated is almost impossible. Parents need to be held more accountable for what their children are exposed to, and if they are involved in some form of media that could be questionable, parents should have free resources available to assist in explaining the consequences of the negative behavior. Does today’s modern media truly have an effect on our adolescent girls and if so, in what ways. Girls from the ages of fourteen through 18 are doing unquestionable things today that you did not see in the ‘80’s. TV programming has taken an extreme jump from the simplicities of cartoons, comedies and sitcoms to the unregulated exposure of today’s reality, and its consequences. When one turns on the TV, channels that have been geared towards our younger generation, for example MTV and VH1, these channels initially consisted of music videos, have now turned into Pandora’s Box, with programming consisting of 16 & Pregnant, Jersey Shore, Basketball Wives...
Words: 2520 - Pages: 11
...Running head: SHORT TITLE OF PAPER (<= 50 CHARACTERS) The Medias’ Influence on Adolescent Sexuality When it comes to media and teenage sex the Guardian says that “Children and teenagers who are exposed to sex through the media are more likely to engage in sexual activity than those who are not, according to new research;” this article went on to say how “…adolescence is a developmental period that is characterized by intense information-seeking, especially about adult roles and, given the lack of information about sexuality readily available to teens; adolescents may turn to the media for information about sexual norms."(www.guardian.co.uk) Media has plays a very big influence on teenage sex. This is the case in part because most adults are afraid to talk to their teenagers about sex, and so where else will they learn it from? When I think about the positive and negative effects I am at a lost. I say that because I cannot think of anything that is positive about it. With the amount of promiscuous teenager out there nowadays it makes me wonder what is next. They see that everyone else doing it so they think it is the latest “trend.” The media portrays the image that it is a good thing to be pregnant and it is thing of joy but in actuality it is not! It is a hard thing to deal with and will cost them 18 years of hard work to take care of the choice they made. Table 1 Type the table text here in italics; start a new page for each table [Insert table...
Words: 272 - Pages: 2
...MUD08243876 Differences in cultural capital mark the differences between the classes” Pierre Bourdieu How do class, gender, sexuality or race work in relation to taste today? Using at least two key theorists discussed on the course, explain how ideas of taste are presented in any two media texts. The concept of good taste and class has always been a sensitive subject for those perceived as lacking enough taste or class to fit in the higher echelons of society. Historically, taste. class and it’s symbols have always been defined by the social elite. It was been incredibly difficult for outsiders to gain access to the knowledge that ensured the ruling class were in a position to define taste for the rest of the population. There has however always been a drive in the lower classes to earn acceptance and even entry to the higher class of society. This drive has been a major factor to the success of capitalism, giving birth to mass production and economic well fare. Renowned french sociologist Pierre Bourdieu theorised on cultural, social and symbolic values in order to analyze what constituted taste and class. (Swartz, David. 1997) Bourdieu believed that if one possessed a great deal of cultural capital (knowledge of the arts, language or artistic flair) one would be perceived as a higher class than someone without the same knowledge. Bourdieu argues that all members of society exist in a multidimensional social space:...
Words: 2414 - Pages: 10
...Discuss the concepts of 'ideology' and 'discourse' in relation to the ways in which representation functions in media texts. You might like to do this in the context of representations of gender, sexuality, 'race', ethnicity, war, refugees or celebrity, for example. Your essay should include your own analysis of a media text that has not been discussed in detail in the lectures, required or additional readings, or in your other assessments. Representation is both the process and the product of media texts, in terms of sexuality in media these representations are shaped by ideologies; the way people think and interpret the word. In turn, different ideologies promote discourse and the discussion of ideas in relation to sexuality. In relation to specific media texts such as True Blood, there are several ideologies in the program, social, political and cultural which show a non-heteronormative view on sexuality. Ideologies are ways of thinking and how we interpret the world around us. It’s through ideology that representation in media text functions to reinforce the view of that particular school of thought. Representation can be through stereotype, strengthening sometimes negative views or typecasting those who are represented. Looking especially True Blood, vampires are being “re-presented” as the gay community which have to struggle and fight for equal rights(Dhaenens, 2013). The concept of Ideology, a way of thinking which impacts how you view and world and interact with people...
Words: 1091 - Pages: 5
...------------------------------------------------- Trendy culture “Critical Role in Adolescence Sexual Behavior Dr. Charles Belcher Adolescence Psychology MWF:2-2:50pm Ebony Ervin Group 4 Sociology of Human Sexuality September 30, 2013 Adolescence marks a developmental phase in life where young people oscillate between being children and being adults. Aristotle argued that reasoning takes form in this phase and “the most critical aspect of adolescence” is the ability to choose, and that “self-determination is the hallmark for maturity” (Santrock, 2012). During and throughout this phase young people are learning how to identify themselves with the outside world. They are challenged with the developmental tasks of understanding the physical transformation of their body, which is critical in establishing self-esteem, developing a personal value system, building meaningful relationships, and working toward independence from authority figures such as parents or guardians and most importantly, establishing their sexuality. “Human sexuality is defined as the sexual interest and behaviors that include physiological, social, cultural, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. It encompasses: sexual orientation, sexual Identity driven by both biological and social forces. (Buster 2005) Adolescents in modern day society are engaging in sexual acts and displaying sexual behavior as early as middle school. It has clearly transformed from being sacred among the individual to...
Words: 1626 - Pages: 7
...are the effects of the media’s portrayal of sexuality on adolescents’ sexual lives? It is certainly evident that adolescents are directly affected by the media’s portrayal of sexuality. For instance, the media has a growing tendency to depict young adolescents acting in sexual and mischievous ways. Media that is deemed as appropriate for adolescents also contains sexual content; both directly and indirectly have an influence on them. Sex is all over the media and as a result adolescents are being greatly exposed to it. Adolescents have a higher probability of becoming involved in sexual activities, and added social pressure is placed on these adolescents since the media often times depicts it as a cool and trendy thing to do. The opposite holds true as well; it is not cool and untrendy to not be involved in sexual activities. The media’s portrayal of sexuality can cause adolescents to believe it is okay being promiscuous and/or sexually active. What are some negative and some positive effects of the media’s portrayal of sexuality? Some of the negative effects of the media’s portrayal of sexuality pertain to the fact that it causes adolescents to become sexually active at a young age and subjects them to the possibility of disease, and pregnancy. There are additionally some positive aspects, too. For instance, the media’s portrayal of sexuality exposes adolescents to the potential outcomes of being sexually active. The media certainly promotes adolescent sexual behavior...
Words: 449 - Pages: 2
...essex | SC291-5-FY | How are Gender and Sexuality Significant to the Study of Visual Culture? | | Word Count: 2,312 | 1004894 | How are Gender and Sexuality Significant to the Study of Visual Culture? In this essay I plan to explore the meanings that are found within the concepts of gender and sexuality and the presentation to which they are given in all types of visual culture. I wish to look into the reasons behind the current stereotypes of gender and sexuality which are used in day to day life. The origins of such clichés and the reason why stereotypes are so heavily used in visual culture, to try and understand the disadvantages and advantages they bring to the media. I will begin by trying to give an explanation of the definition of the terms, gender, sexuality and visual culture. Gender is often depicted to a simple non-complex term which is based upon an individual’s biological sex. Thus presenting the theory that the sex of an individual will biologically predetermine their mannerisms and actions; behaviours that are associated with being male or female. Although it is necessary to understand that there are differences between men and women, to assume that all behaviour can be categorised as male or female could be considered to be ignorant. In more recent times gender has become less fixated upon the biological sex of the person and is more determined by the individual themselves (Kirsch, 2000). Sexuality is the term used to demonstrate the type of person...
Words: 2343 - Pages: 10
...o What are the effects of the media’s portrayal of sexuality on adolescents’ sexual lives?What are some negative and some positive effects of the media’s portrayal of sexuality? o How has the media’s portrayal of sexuality affected your life? The effects of the media’s portrayal on sexuality on adolescent’s lives are vast. Most media in today’s society portrays acts of sexuality as commonplace and expected. It shows young girls being flirtatious and having sex. It shows young men as sexual predators or pressuring the girls. It is far and few between that a show displays age appropriate sexuality for it’s viewers. The media also represent’s young gays and lesbians more readily than it would have years ago. I think this is a good idea since that demographic of viewer base has increased greatly. This increased awareness for young people has both positive and negative impacts. The increased awareness of the effects of sexuality in early ages such as pregnancy and STD’s are more prevalent than in yester years. However, the increased stimuli of sexuality leads to more exploration of our younger generations to have sex earlier than they should be and producing babies at a younger age as well as they are contracting more STD’s. I think the media’s influence on our future generations needs to be tempered and that is the job of the parent or caregiver. The media’s portrayal of sexuality has not has as great an effect on my life as it could have as I do not watch much TV and tend to...
Words: 524 - Pages: 3
...The essay is an in depth analysis of a scholarly article as well as a review of a popular media resource on sexuality. The scholarly article reviewed is titled, "Sexual knowledge, attitudes and activity of men conscripted into the military" authored by Jiankang, Chao et al. published in 2010. The study focused on experience, understanding, knowledge as well as attitudes concerning sexual activities of persons recruited in the military. According to Chao, et al, 2010 the research article's major component is knowledge, attitude, values and skills concerning sexuality. It is apparent that the fight against HIV and AIDS calls for the involved parties to adequately have enough knowledge to tackle it. Thus it is of significance to ensure that people are well equipped with the desired knowledge. The article sought after providing evidence that is needed for development of a better sex education program to be used beyond high school, an examination of sexual knowledge, attitude as well as behaviors of young men recruited in the military. Similarly, the research sought to determine if there were differences in socio-demographic characteristics between men who did, or didn't have sexual experience. The research was done by use of both secondary and primary sources of data. The desired data was collected from a group of military members in southern Taiwan between the periods of January and July 2009. The target sample was aged 18-29 years. To aid in data collection...
Words: 1744 - Pages: 7
...Unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases have become a large problem in the past few decades for the United States. I decided to do research on this topic because I have realized over the past few years how crucial it is to have a comprehensive sex education that teaches adolescents the dangers of sexual intercourse, how to prevent pregnancy, and promotes sexual health and well-being. Due to the high volumes of sexual content teenagers watch each day, a comprehensive sex education seems vital in providing accurate information regarding anything related to sexual intercourse. Also, this type of education would have the means to correct the half-truths and false information mass media presents to the public through a variety...
Words: 1681 - Pages: 7
...SLUT! The article Slut! Growing up Female with a Bad Reputation by Leora Tanenbaum focuses in on societies views on women and adolescent girls who are targeted for various reasons and labeled as sluts. Tannenbaum undergoes a series of interviews where she answers questions about how girls and their sexuality is viewed and targeted by many only because she is a female. Tannenbaum also conducts and interview herself on a young college woman to study her childhood as she grew up. The young lady remarks that as she grew up in a typical high school she was branded with the word “slut” because of an incident involving alcohol which in turn led her to be raped. Her abuser spread the word about them having sex around the school which eventually branded her to becoming the school slut. Tanenbaum not only talks about this specific case but also initiates an ongoing controversial debate about how differently men and women are perceived in society when it comes to sexuality. Since the beginning of time men and woman have had to obey different rules and succumb to different stereotypes because of their sexuality. Women who choose to conquer their sexuality and explore the male anatomy are often labeled as sluts and impure because they choose to be promiscuous, they are scrutinized and derogated and many times abused, whether it be verbally or physically for emphasizing their sexual freedom. Men on the other hand, are praised and congratulated for being with many women; their reputations...
Words: 655 - Pages: 3
...Sex and Sexuality: Having the Conversation with Our Children Tyra M. Robinson Professor Stacy Hurley Sociology 101 September 11, 2012 Sex and Sexuality: Having the Conversation with Our Children In many countries talking about sex is treated as taboo. (Macionis, 2009, p. 192) Parents are not talking to their children about it. They just tell them not to have it until they are married, and a child’s extent of conversation about sex is asking, “Where do babies come from?” during adolescence. But is this really enough? Is the lack of knowledge on the topic ruining the social outlook on sex and sexuality in our Society? Not talking to our children about sex and sexuality at home leaves them to learn about it from outside sources such as, school, peers and media. Through these sources they might learn how to put on a condom and birth control, sexual diseases, pregnancy and abortion. What about their sexuality? Gender, incest, homosexuality and other sexual issues like rape and molestation? As much as some of these topics may frighten us as parents to talk about with our children, the harsh reality is, they need to know. They should know that sexuality is about more than just having sex. That sexuality is a theme found almost everywhere, and it is an important part of how we think about ourselves, as well as how others think about us (Macionis, 2009, p. 192). As parents we should let them know that sex can be pleasurable, but it can also be very confusing and frightening...
Words: 1579 - Pages: 7
...The Impact of Gender Identity and Sexuality has on Adolescents Holly Kidd Liberty University Abstract The purpose of this paper is to not only to identify how and why gender identity and sexuality has such a huge impact on many of the lives of adolescents but also how they tend to deal with each. The period of adolescence tends to be a difficult time for many teenagers because of all the physical and even some emotional changes they experience through the adolescence period and unfortunately some tend to keep experiences and are even affected long after the adolescence period. In order, to identify how and why gender identity and sexuality but also note all the possible affects each one has on adolescents and how to deal with each situation. Finally, offer suggestions (such as identify ways to love one's self to showing one how to express themselves in a positive ways but also by offering counseling sessions to continue to learn how to understand themselves) for better solutions, which would benefit the lives of adolescents for many years to come. In the typical life of an adolescent it supposed to be the best years of that adolescent's life. But unfortunately that is not the case for many adolescents because many of them become victims of different types of bullying, which includes the impacts of Gender Identity and Sexuality. The word adolescent means becoming an adult (Isaacs, 2013 p.881), in which, all adolescents look forward too. However, some adolescents...
Words: 2680 - Pages: 11
...Comparing and Contrasting Essentialist Approaches to Social Psychology with Social Constructionist Approaches to Social Psychology. A widely recognised definition of social psychology is “an effort to understand and explain how the thought, feeling, and behaviour of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others” (Allport, 1985). However, how to measure this, the research methods to be used and what constitutes useful evidence has caused much debate in the history of social psychology. This essay will compare and contrast the two epistemologies of essentialist and social constructionist approaches to social psychology and the research methods of quantitative and qualitative used in each approach. Essentialists’ view of the world is that the properties possessed by a group are universal in that group and do not depend on context. However, a member of a group may possess other characteristics that are not required to include it as a group member but, it must not have characteristics that preclude it from being a member of the group (Burr, 1995). For example, essentialists believe that personality consists of a number of traits and personality of an individual is established by the level of each of these traits. Essentialists also believe that these traits remain more or less stable over time and it is our personality that influences behaviour (Maltby, 2010). As essentialists are able to classify groups as such, they use quantitative research...
Words: 3936 - Pages: 16
