The Effects of Mass Media on Sexuality (Essay Sample)

The Effects of Mass Media on Sexuality
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16.11.2015
The presentation of women’s bodies with sexual overtones in the media has risen tremendously over the recent past invoking myriad debates. In the United States alone, teenagers spend more than six hours watching television and movies with several instances of sexual images and discussions. Most young people have television sets in their sleeping rooms, exposing them to sexual-oriented material. Media content with sexual themes has also become increasingly available, especially with the advancements in cable and videocassette technologies. One study showed that sexual themes ranging from flirts to sex in the media have risen compared to programs aired in the 90s. The study contends that one in every ten programs contains sexual connotations. Indeed, such a high exposure affects the society as well as individuals negatively (Brown 42).
Sexual inferences are not just available on television programs, but also in many other types of media, and they all contribute to the negative impact on the society. Sexual materials are present in music videos, magazines, movies, and even radio talks. Half of the music videos released to the market by various music producers contain sexual and erotic content. Furthermore, more than two-thirds of the movies produced by Hollywood directors are R-rated (Brown 43). Young people seem to get access to the R-rated films and explicit music from the market with ease, exposing them to sexual themes at an early stage. Magazines and related publications are also notorious in availing sexual content, and they aim at showing how women can dress and beautify themselves to attract men.
Understanding how various sections of viewers interpret media content is important. Some studies argue that young people interpret the content differently as compared to older people. Young people may consider sexual media as appropriate while older people regard the same content profane. Further, women consider media content sexual in more cases than men do, under the same conditions. However, they, women, approve behaviors that support the continuation of relations and disapprove those that threaten relationships (Cloete 2). As both male and female viewers interpret what they see on various media forms, they also assess and consider ways through which they can incorporate the material into people's lives. With time, media contents shape the ideologies, attitudes, and character of both males and females.
Today, we live in environments that are highly influenced by digital video recordings, television programs, computers, and many other forms of devices that make access to sexual content extremely simple. Although some try to avoid sexual content incorporated in various digital media, it is extremely hard. As such, digital content and devices have changed cultures and norms in the society. Young people are the most affected, and th...