It seems quite silly that anyone could argue that such things as the sex and violence saturating our culture do not have any kind of "negative" effect on us. Yet, that's exactly what we get these days.
These days it seems you can find an "expert" on both sides of the issue who will tell you want you want to hear in support of your position and argument. However, rarely does the mainstream media ever portray those on the moral and right side of the issue in a positive light.
That's why it was surprising and equally satisfying to come across this news item earlier this week.
The results from a nationwide study on television media consumption and its effecy on teenage sexual behavior were published on Monday, but because of all the election hype I'm just getting to it now.
The groundbreaking research suggests that pregnancy rates are much higher among teens who watch a lot of TV with sexual dialogue and behavior than among those who have tamer viewing tastes.
The new study is the first to link those viewing habits with teen pregnancy, said lead author Anita Chandra, a Rand Corp. Behavioral Scientist. Teens who watched the raciest shows were twice as likely to become pregnant over the next 3 years as those who watched few such programs.
Previous research by some of the same scientists had already found that watching lots of sex on TV can influence teens to have sex at earlier ages.
Shows that highlight only the positive aspects of sexual behavior without the risks can lead teens to have unprotected sex "before they're ready to make responsible and informed decisions," Chandra said.
Chandra said TV-watching was strongly connected with teen pregnancy even when other factors were considered, including grades, family structure and parents' education level.
The study was released Monday in the November issue of Pediatrics. It involved 2,003 12- to 17-year-old girls and boys nationwide questioned by telephone about their TV viewing habits in 2001. Teens were re-interviewed twice, the last time in 2004, and asked about pregnancy. Among girls, 58 became pregnant during the follow-up, and among boys, 33 said they had gotten a girl pregnant.
Bill Albert, Chief Program Officer at the nonprofit National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, praised the study and said it "catches up with common sense."
"Media helps shape the social script for teenagers. Most parents know that. This is just good research to confirm that," Albert said.
The message to parents is to talk to their kids about sex long before children are teens. Parents also should be watching what their kids watch and helping filter messages sex-filled shows are sending.
Ironically, this news was published on the same day that another international study found that playing violent video games often results in delayed, but expected and very aggressive behavior.
Funny how the mainstream media reports on these things as if we're just coming to this "remarkable revelation" for the first time in human history, isn't it?
If anything, these two studies simply confirm what many of us have known all along. We are right and must continue to work hard to keep our children on the right path in life.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Study Shows Teens Exposed To Sexual Content On TV Have Greater Risk Of Pregnancy
Teen Pregnancy, Hollywood Style: What's Missing From Teen Pregnancy On TV/Film
Funny how the mainstream media reports on these things as if we're just coming to this "remarkable revelation" for the first time in human history, isn't it?
If anything, these two studies simply confirm what many of us have known all along. We are right and must continue to work hard to keep our children on the right path in life.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Study Shows Teens Exposed To Sexual Content On TV Have Greater Risk Of Pregnancy
Teen Pregnancy, Hollywood Style: What's Missing From Teen Pregnancy On TV/Film
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