Media, Sex and Teens

Persuasive Essay # 104821

Child, Youth Issues > Teen, Adult Issues
Communication > Mass Media
Gender and Sexuality

This paper discusses how the media affects adolescent girls, in particular as it relates to the subject of sex.

2,400 words () | 11 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer maintains that the media affects adolescent girls by making them more interested in sex and sexuality. It also affects the choices that teen adolescent girls make about sex and sexuality. The writer discusses that the messages that all types of media are sending out to our youth is shaping a generation whether we want to believe it or not. The writer notes that media's original purpose was to inform and entertain. As the technology in media grew so did society's dependence on the media. There was a time that media was a teacher and in many ways it still is. However, the writer questions whether the message being taught is what we want our children to learn. This paper examines some of the messages that media is sending out to teenage girls about their bodies and their sexuality.

Outline:
Introduction
How Teens Choose and Use Media
Selection
Interaction
Application
Television
Television Talk Shows
Teen Girls and Women Magazines
Movies
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Sexuality and sexual action is another area that when it is portrayed in the media as having no consequences is not a reality and has serious societal ramifications for teenage girls and boys. The media in any form whether it be music videos, computer games of advertisements can provide a good or bad message. Who is in control of determining if the message from media is good or bad? Just like watching what their children eat parents are responsible for the message teen girls hear from the media."
"During prime-time the televisions shows teens watch most frequently are full of talk about and depictions of sexual activity. Most of the sexual content on television is from characters discussing their own or others' current or future sexual activity. The idea of sexual risk or responsibility, however, is almost never talked about or shown."

Sample of Sources Used:

Brown, Jane & Steele, Jeanne. Sexual Teens, Sexual Media: Investigating Media's Influence on Adolescent Sexuality. New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2002.
Lerner, Richard & Galambos, Nancy. Adolescent Development. Annual Review of Paychology, 49, (1998), Retrieved June 12, 2007, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001362781
Mazzarella, Sharon & Pecora, Norma. Growing Up Girls: Popular Culture and the Construction of Identity. New York: Peter Lang, 1999.
Nichter, Mimi "Listening to Girls Talk About Their Bodies". Reclaiming Children and Youth, 9, (2000), Retrieved June 12, 2007, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001153289
Polce-Lynch, Mary, Myers, Barbara, Kliewer, Wendy. & Kilmartin, Christopher. "Adolescent Self-Esteem and Gender". Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 30, (2001), Retrieved June 12, 2007, from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001027143