Sex in the media influencing teen pregnancies

Posted on Jan 26th 2008 12:30PM by Adams Briscoe

Three quarters of a million teenage girls will get pregnant in 2008. That's a statistic coming from this article by CBS trying to uncover how the media is influencing the depiction of sex among teenagers.

It's fairly common to see trends in movies and TV gearing adolescents toward more mature behavior. These depictions were normally reserved for adults and more mature audiences. But with teen pregnancies on the rise, it's clear that perhaps it is not as taboo as it used to be.

There's definitely a debate regarding the issue, and no simple answers. Movies don't seem to make having a baby seem like anything more than a bump in the road. Anyone seen Juno recently? And young media icons like Jamie Lynn Spears are 16 years old and already expecting. This definitely has an effect on the topic of sex in the hallways of high school. Even if Hollywood somewhat glamorizes pregnancy, is that transitioning to peers and classmates as well?

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Tags: hollywood, media, movies, pregnancy, teen

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

nikkicookers 1-26-2008 @ 6:12PM

I think the media totally influences the lack of morals out there lately. Ever since "sex and the city" it seems that it's ok to have sex with whoever whenever. It's ridiculous.

nikki cook
http://fitconnect.com/lilnicky1234

Christina 1-26-2008 @ 7:05PM

"Lack of morals"? Sex is perfectly natural. There's nothing "immoral" about having sex.

Christina 1-26-2008 @ 7:03PM

This sort of thing has been a scapegoat for a long time now. Hence all the censorship, couples sleeping in separate beds on TV, etc. But come on, studies have shown that even the dinosaurs were mating in adolescence. Teen pregnancy is nothing new and it won't ever go away. However, we can reduce it by straightforward attitudes about sex, stopping the stupid, ineffective abstinence-only policy in our schools, and simply become less uptight about sexuality. In some European countries where nudity and sexuality are commonplace in the media, teen pregnancy rates are much LOWER than they are here.

We need to stop being such Puritans and instead, be realistic and open.

Lala 2-15-2008 @ 12:51PM

So, you're saying we're like animals? That we are reduced to animals such as dinosaurs from prehistoric times? That's just a lame excuse to excuse having sex in high school. Ooh! Dinosaurs had sex when they were young! Oh, please, can you say stupid excuse? Why should we be mindless drones listening to the media and follow what everybody else says it's ok? No, we are human beings who have self control. We just don't want to exercise that control. Our generation is acting like animals and we can't find any other better excuse for it except to look at dinosaurs? Please. What utter nonsense.

Amanda 3-15-2008 @ 11:04PM

I believe that the media does greatly influence what a teenager views as appropriate. So many shows nowadays are solely based on the problems which arise due to a character having multiple partners throughout the season (some such shows being Seinfeld, Friends, Sex and the City, and teen dramas such as the OC). It is true that many of these shows only talk about the sex itself, but do not speak of the consequeces which arise (STDs, pregnancies.. etc.). There are many teenagers who will agree that this behavior is okay to do, which is why it is important that they receive their sex education from other authorities. This page struck my attention as I am doing a research paper on Sexual Education being taught to high school students, and do believe the media plays a strong role. However, with the proper education being taught to students in school they will be given the proper knowledge and hopefully will make the right choices.

rrr 3-16-2008 @ 8:36PM

To add to your comment: And, the proper education being taught to kids at home.
If it's up to the schools to do it all, it's going to remain the same. In order to avoid embarrassment, keep from crossing lines and getting sued, the schools teach abstinence.
The most influential lessons will be taught at home by the parents example and their teachings.
Whether you blame the dinosaurs or you blame the media, it's all just speculation and arguing about it will not solve the real issue.