Sexual Socialization Messages on Television Programs Most Popular Among Teens

Abstract

This paper examines the portrayal of sexual messages in the top 20 most popular television programs among teenagers in the United States. It compares findings from the 2001–2002 and 2004–2005 seasons. Results show that these programs contained a large number of sexual messages, though their frequency decreased over time. Most messages about sex were in the form of conversations. About 1 in 2 shows included portrayals of sexual behaviors, mostly precursory behaviors. Sexual risk and responsibility concerns were rarely addressed. Most consequences for sexual intercourse portrayed in 2004–2005 were negative, a significant change from 2001–2002. The findings' implications for adolescents' sexual socialization are discussed.

This research was supported by grants awarded to the first and second authors by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation of Menlo Park, CA, a nonprofit public health philanthropy.

Notes

This research was supported by grants awarded to the first and second authors by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation of Menlo Park, CA, a nonprofit public health philanthropy.

* Due to a damaged tape, only two episodes of Greg the Bunny were analyzed.

*p < .05.

¹The programs sampled reflect the top 20 most popular shows among teens ages 12–17 according to Nielsen ratings for each season examined. Ratings were season cumes: for 2001–2002 they are for the period of September 24, 2001–May 17, 2002; for 2004–2005 they are for the period of September 20, 2004–April 3, 2005. The sampling strategy resulted in the collection of 59 programs for the 2001–2002 sample (one tape was inadvertently damaged and could not be recovered) and 60 programs for the 2004–2005 sample.

²The scales for levels of sexual talk and behavior in scenes were constructed from the following categories: 1 = Inconsequential focus; 2 = Minor focus; 3 = Substantial focus; 4 = Primary focus.

³The scale for sexual explicitness in scenes was constructed from the following categories: 0 = No explicitness; 1 = Provocative dress or appearance (attire alone reflects a strong effort to flaunt one's sexuality); 2 = Characters begin disrobing (the removing of clothing that reveals parts of the body not normally exposed); 3 = Discreet nudity (characters are known to be nude but no private parts of the body are shown); 4 = Nudity (baring of normally private parts).