Why you shouldn’t rely on television and movies for sex ed.
Canada’s second annual Media Literacy Week is taking place from Nov. 5 to 9. According to the Media Literacy Week website, being media literate means you understand the techniques and impacts of media messages. While becoming media literate includes various concepts, I am going to focus on how the media can impact sexuality.
Many people get at least some of their sexual education from the media. This is especially true when it comes to television and movies.
A review by Monique Ward, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, found that sexual content is prevalent in television and movies, but varies by genre. For example, talk shows have a lot of sexual talk whereas primetime television portrays more explicit sexual acts. While sexual content is not typically graphic; it consists of mostly verbal innuendos or less explicit acts like kissing.
There are large differences in the way men’s and women’s bodies are sexualized in the media. Specifically, women are seen nude and as sexual objects more often than men. Additionally, sexual harassment against women is common.
Television and movies typically follow a heterosexual couple, in which traditional sexual roles and the sexual double standard (in which men are praised for their sexual activity, while women are shamed for theirs) are the norm.
While it is important to understand what is being shown, it is equally important to be aware of what is not. Generally, there is a lack of diversity in television and movies. There is also a lack of sexual content about masturbation and women’s sexual desire.
Sexual planning and physical sexual consequences are not often shown. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception, pregnancy, and abortion are rarely discussed or depicted. If consequences are shown they tend to be emotional, such as pain, embarrassment, or betrayal. The media’s lack of showing physical risks may make it seem like these are not associated with having sex, and ignores that there are ways in which you should protect yourself.
What impact can the things we view have? It depends on what you are watching and how invested you are. Watching a lot and being heavily invested in the sexual content in television and movies can increase stereotypical attitudes, acceptance of sexual harassment and rape myths, and dysfunctional beliefs regarding relationships and marriage.
Some studies have shown an impact on sexual behaviour, such as having more sexual partners, but this research indicates that this is an indirect effect, in that the media can affect attitudes, which can then impact behaviours.
Overall, it is important to be aware of what you are watching and how realistic it is. This critical thinking will help to ensure you are getting accurate information about sexuality.
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Netflix screenshots by Tasha Falconer