Mass media influences on sexuality
Brown, J.D.
Journal of Sex Research 39(1): 42-45
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-4499 PMID: 12476255 DOI: 10.1080/00224490209552118Document Number: 252958
The mainstream mass media (television, magazines, movies, music, and the Internet) provide increasingly frequent portrayals of sexuality. We still know relatively little about how this content is used and how it affects sexual beliefs and behaviors. The few available studies suggest that the media do have an impact because the media keep sexual behavior on public and personal agendas, media portrayals reinforce a relatively consistent set of sexual and relationship norms, and the media rarely depict sexually responsible models. More longitudinal research, especially with early adolescents is needed to learn more about how media content is attended to, interpreted, and incorporated into developing sexual lives.