“sexy” Shows Linked to the Escalation of Teen Pregnancy

It seems that teen pregnancy is on the rise again and we’ve got the media to thank once again. Monday, November 3, ABC Eyewitness News presented statistics regarding the rise in teenage pregnancy in correlation with sex on TV. The newscast detailed that “sexy shows” have highly affected teen pregnancy. Several studies have been administered regarding teen pregnancy and the media. Results have surfaced depicting that frequently viewing sex on TV may influence teens to engage in sexual behavior as adolescents.

Television has the power to bring people together. Viewers are often presented with a portrait of society. Although fictional, there are several important aspects of TV that tend to inform, at times persuade and influence audiences. If the media displays only the positive side of sexual activities in TV shows, without presenting the risks and consequences, teen viewers may end up having unprotected sex before they’re ready to take on responsibility and make well informed decisions.

While the media has quite an impact on today’s society, it is not designed to serve as sole educator. If sex ed classes are not offered in every school and not all parents are discussing sex with their children, does this leave the media to represent sexual education? What happened to parents censoring what their children watch on TV? Media depictions of today should not have to hold back on sexual discussions or behavior when the intended audience consists of adults who are most likely already sexually active.

Sex should not be viewed as a negative image in the media. Parents need to raise their children more. Perhaps parents can watch some of these “sexy shows” with their teens and have an in depth discussion about the content each episode. Children should not be watching shows such as One Tree Hill, Sex and the City, Friends or Gossip Girl. The target audiences of these considerably risqué shows is 18-49.

Sex Therapist, Dr. Laura Berman stated in the Chicago Sun Times, “Right now the United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate of any developed nation. Although this teen pregnancy rate has decreased dramatically since the 1970s, recent years have seen that rate become stagnant. Indeed, as of 2004, 13 states experienced either an increase in teen birth rates or stagnant teen birth rates, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data also showed that one in seven girls who are 14 and younger will experience an unintended pregnancy, and one in three women will have an unintended pregnancy by age 20.” Media effects play a role, but are not the defining link.