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Abstract
This study examined sexual content in American prime-time programs popular among the tween (9–14 years of age) audience on broadcast networks and programs aired on the most popular adolescent TV networks—an understudied area of media research. Consistent with past research, the majority of broadcast shows contained sexual talk and behaviors, as did adolescent shows. No significant difference was observed between the two types of shows regarding the frequency with which sexual behaviors were presented in a given hour of TV programming. The amount of scene focus paid to sexual themes varied, but studio audiences were almost always heard positively reinforcing these messages. The findings are discussed with respect to social cognitive and cultivation theories.
Notes
1. In this article, tweens are defined as those between 9 and 14 years old, whereas “adolescents” and “adolescence” refers to the entire developmental stage and range of ages, including tweens.
2. All shows followed this procedure with the exception of one show, Wizards of Waverly Place. Although it was one of the Disney’s top three shows in 2012, it did not produce any new episodes in this year. Thus, episodes that originally aired in 2011 were analyzed for this show.
3. “Intercourse depicted” was never observed in this sample; therefore, in the interest of space, it was not included in the results or tables.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Mona Malacane
Mona Malacane (M.A., Indiana University, 2015) is a PhD student at The Media School of Indiana University - Bloomington. Her research focuses on the content, uses, and effects of the media on adolescents’ sexual socialization.
Nicole Martins
Nicole Martins (Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana Champagne, 2008) is an Associate Professor at The Media School of Indiana University. Her research interests concern the social and psychological effects of the mass media youth, with a specific focus on the effects of media on youth.