Date of Award

1-1-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Carolyn Cunningham

Abstract

This thesis presents an analysis of research gathered in order to explore the impact of the media on teenage views of sexual health. The chosen research highlights the prevalence of sex in today’s television and how these portrayals can influence teens’ views on “normal” sexual behavior. The research shows that teens receive valuable information on social cues, or normalized behavior, from media outlets like popular television shows. Its impact on societal concepts in teenagers can create different view points on what it means to not only engage in sexual behavior, but what sexual behavior is expected. With this ability to influence the way teenagers view certain behaviors, media generates another important question: can this influence be both a positive one and a negative one? Given the mass media penetration, can examples of teen pregnancy in the media be used as a learning tool in media literacy? Therefore, with these questions in mind, a 21-question survey was conducted using 18 to 19 year old college students in the Pacific Northwest. This survey aimed to answer the question of how teen sexuality is portrayed in modern media and how it develops young adult perceptions on normal behaviors. Additionally, it questioned whether or not media representations of sex were realistic. Ultimately, the survey also demonstrated a level of media literacy among survey respondents that may or may not be present in the general teenager population.

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