The Impact of Media on Sexuality

The impact of media on sexuality

In researching media's impact on sexuality as well as my prior knowledge on this topic, I believe that media has a significant effect on sexuality. Not only have I learn about important effects media had on sexuality in the class, but in today’s society, it is most prevalent based on mere media observation. I think this topic could go in many directions but I wanted to keep my focus on what the true definition of sexuality is and then go from there. Basically, sexuality is a quality or state of being sexual. This has been the definition of sexuality for centuries, but the views of what is morally right or wrong about sexuality and how it is advertised has changed drastically over time. 

I remember touching briefly on some effects media had on sexuality in class.  Dating all the way back to the late 1800s, contraception was advertised through newspapers causing major decreases in birth rates and eventually outlawed from being advertised due to such decreases.[1] This is a perfect example of how contraception and sexuality were being advertised to the public and easily accessible.  We also learned that pornography really started to develop in the 19^th century on paintings depicting sexual intercourse between a man and woman. While sexuality was growing through the media, it started to change intercourse and how people perceived it.  Sex seemed perfect in advertisements and easy to do if you had the right protection and what not. Over time, media started back up advertising about contraception, then porn, and eventually sexual messages through movies, lyrics, television and behavior. 

In today’s society, sexuality is advertised literally everywhere you look. A study has shown that American adolescence spend more than 38 hours a week using some form of media.[2]  It’s also interesting to know that adolescents view nearly 14000 sexual references per year. These sexually suggestive advertisements, either in music, movies, or magazines, influence adolescence sexual attitudes, values, and beliefs. And when questioning what kind of advertisements portrays sexuality in them, you may be surprised. Sexual imagery and sex itself is used when selling fast food, shampoo, candy, hotel rooms and more. Incredibly, people still blame the people themselves when they have become sexually active so young and not once looked at the media.[3] Porn on the other hand has spun out of control. Anyone has access to it and in just a few clicks of a button.  Porn availability has evolved into very disturbing exposure that no young person, or anyone in my opinion, should be watching. Having access to such media of sexuality has resulted in unhealthy pregnancies and relationships along with morals and beliefs that are unhealthy as well.

On another note, media has been affective in promoting family-planning clinics and certain help when it comes to birth control and other sexuality education.  [4]Not all Medias' impact on sexuality has been bad. It has created awareness among many people, receiving many positive comments via broadcasted messages about sexuality that have impacted lives in an informative way.  It appears media should take more of a proactive role to promote and encourage methods to avoid STDs and prevent unplanned pregnancies. I believe media is slowly but surely moving in this direction.  As media starts promoting these healthier and more responsible ways to approach sexuality, today’s society will have a greater percentage of wanted pregnancies and an improvement movement toward overall health and values and beliefs that people should have in regards to sexuality.

---

[1] Moore, Crystal. “Within the family” PowerPoint. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, March 18^th 2014.

 

[2] Committee of Public Education. "Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media." Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media. N.p., 30 Aug. 2010. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.

[3] Committee of Public Education. "Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media." Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media. N.p., 30 Aug. 2010. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.

[4] Committee of Public Education. "Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media." Sexuality, Contraception, and the Media. N.p., 30 Aug. 2010. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.