Washington Post "Study First to Link TV Sex To Real Teen Pregnancies"

I recently read an article in The Washington Post called, “Study First To Link TV Sex To Real Teen Pregnancies”. The author who wrote the article is Rob Stein. The article was released Monday, November 3, 2008. The lead researcher of the study is Anita Chandra. Chandra said, “Watching this kind of sexual content on television is a powerful factor in increasing the likelihood of a teen pregnancy.” She also said, “We found a strong association.” The study is published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Valerie Huber of the National Abstinence Education Association said, “We have a highly sexualized culture that glamorizes sex.” She also said, “We really need to encourage schools to make abstinence centered programs a priority.” Stein said, “But others said there is no evidence that abstinence centered programs work.”

The researchers conducted a questionnaire for more than 2000 teens from age 12-17 from 2001 to 2004. Researchers found that, “Based on a detailed analysis of the sexual content of 23 shows in the 2000-2001 TV season, the researchers calculated how often the teens saw characters kissing, touching, having sex, and discussing past or future sexual activity.” Chandra said, “Sexual content on television has doubled in the last few years, especially during the period of our research.” Teens followed along with shows such as “Sex and the City, “Friends”, and “That ‘70s Show.” Chandra said, “they included dramas, comedies, reality shows and even animated programs on broadcast and cable networks.”
So what can society do about this issue? Researchers recommended that, “parents spend more time monitoring what their children watch and discussing what they see, including pointing out the possible negative consequences of early sexual activity. Programmers should also include more-realistic portrayals of the risks of sex, such as sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.”

I personally agree with the results of this study. I have defiantly seen more sexual content on television. I also know many girls who are currently going through unplanned pregnancies. I have friends who are both male/female and they constantly joke and talk about sex. They talk about sex so casually. They do not seem to think of it as personal private information. They are so opened to talk about their sex lives. I defiantly see how teen pregnancies are becoming so common because of the way television and peers portray sex. I have male friends who make fun of other males who are virgins. If you are a male and you are a virgin than they think you are weird. If you are a guy who has many sexual partners than you are glorified as a pimp. If you are a girl and you have had many sexual partners than you are considered a slut . This is not a good message for people and it is not good pressure on people either.

I do not think Abstinence should be taught in schools. Abstinence is a moral issue and also a religious issue. I think people are going to have sex and the abstinence programs are not working. People should learn how to be safe. I also agree that the consequences should be talked about more. It is up to parents, friends, and the society to better influence these young teens. Teens should see more of the negatives aspects of sex. T.V . is making sex out to be a trend.


Do you agree with this research? How would you change things?