how do you feel the portrayal of sex in the media influences the sexual desicions teens make today
Your instructor wants to know how YOU feel.
I don't think the opinions of Jiskha tutors (most of whom are retired) will fulfill this assignment.
can you explain the question atleast?
The media includes radio, TV, newspapers, magazines and the internet.
The question asks whether the media has an effect on teen sex.
Do kids decide to because they've seen shows and reports showing sex as a good thing to do?
To understand how the portrayal of sex in the media influences the sexual decisions of today's teens, we need to consider a few factors. Here's how you can explore this topic further:
1. Recognize the impact of media: Start by acknowledging that the media has a significant influence on society, including adolescents. Media platforms such as television, movies, music videos, social media, and the internet play a crucial role in shaping attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to sex.
2. Conduct research: Familiarize yourself with relevant studies, surveys, and research on the topic. Look for scholarly articles, books, and reports that investigate the relationship between media and teen sexual behavior. Academic databases like JSTOR, PubMed, or Google Scholar can be excellent resources for finding reliable studies.
3. Identify the portrayal of sex in media: Look for patterns or trends in how sex is represented across different forms of media. Pay attention to the explicitness, frequency, and context of sexual content in movies, TV shows, music videos, and online platforms. Analyze whether it emphasizes safe, responsible, and consensual behavior or promotes unrealistic or unhealthy sexual dynamics.
4. Consider media effects theories: Explore various theories like cultivation theory, social learning theory, or the effects of media on self-perception and body image. These theories explain how repeated exposure to particular behaviors and messages in the media can shape individuals' attitudes and beliefs, including those related to sex.
5. Examine real-life impact: Look for correlational studies that assess the relationship between exposure to sexual content in the media and teens' sexual behaviors. Some research suggests that higher exposure to sexual content is associated with earlier sexual initiation, risky sexual behaviors, or distorted views on relationships and consent. However, it's important to note that media is just one of many factors influencing teen's decision-making in this context.
6. Consider other influences: Recognize that media is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to teen sexual decision-making. Factors like family environment, peer interactions, education, religion, and cultural background also play significant roles. Understanding how these factors interact with media influence can provide a more comprehensive picture.
7. Encourage critical media literacy: Teach teens how to critically analyze and interpret media messages. Help them develop media literacy skills to distinguish between realistic and unrealistic portrayals of sex, question underlying motives in media content, and think critically about the potential consequences of actions depicted.
Remember, it's essential to approach this topic with a nuanced perspective, recognizing the complexity of different influences and individual variations in how teens respond to media messages.