Sexy TV Linked to Teen Pregnancy: Teens Who Watch Sex on TV More Likely to Become Pregnant

The more teenagers watch sexy TV shows, the greater the chance that they'll be involved in a pregnancy. That's the conclusion of a study published in the November 2008 issue of the American medical journal Pediatrics--the first to establish a link between sexuality on TV and an increase in teen pregnancy.

What the Study Observed

The study, "Does Watching Sex on Television Predict Teen Pregnancy? Findings From a National Longitudinal Survey of Youth," was conducted by independent researchers from the Rand Corporation. Over the course of three years, from 2001 to 2004, researchers monitored the TV-watching habits of more than two thousand teens between the ages of twelve and seventeen. Researchers also evaluated the sexual content of twenty-three TV shows in the 2000-2001 season, then calculated the amount of sex the teens were likely to have seen. Of the two thousand teens in the study, 718 were sexually active. Researchers discovered that "exposure to sexual content on television predicted teen pregnancy," and that teens exposed to the most sex on TV were twice as likely be involved in a pregnancy within three years (about 25 percent of the teens) than those with low level of exposure (about 12 percent).

Conclusions from the Study

The researchers established the first association between teens watching sex on TV and engaging in sexual activity that resulted in pregnancy. Previous research has discovered relationships between teens watching sex on television and becoming sexually active at earlier ages; and watching sexually explicit music videos and greater incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases. "Limiting adolescent exposure to the sexual content on television and balancing portrayals of sex in the media with information about possible negative consequences might reduce the risk of teen pregnancy," according to the study's abstract.

Is Abstinence-Only Sex Education Failing?

The study did not examine the effect of sex education in schools on the teens in the study. Nonetheless, proponents of abstinence-only sex education have taken its conclusions as proof of the damaging effects of American popular culture, and that students should be taught in schools that abstinence is the only sure way to avoid pregnancy and other "negative consequences" of sexual activity. As quoted in the Washington Post, Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association, claims, "we have a highly sexualized culture that glamorizes sex. We really need to encourage schools to make abstinence-centered programs a priority."

There is, however, little evidence at abstinence-only sex education (also called abstinence-until-marriage programs) really work. A 2004 evaluation by the Government Accountability Office found many scientific inaccuracies in the most frequently-adopted abstinence curricula, while studies published in medical journals have shown that there is no corresponding decrease in sexual activity, STDs, or pregnancies among teens that have participated in abstinence-only sex education in their schools.

The most important factor in teen sexuality, though, may not be television. "Parents may be able to mitigate the influence of [TV's] sexual content by viewing with their children and discussing these depictions of sex," concluded the researchers.

Feb 9, 2009 8:19 PM

Guest :

I think that it is more than just the TV shows that are pushing the younger generation in the wrong direction. Partially I think it is an effect of the parenting techniques that seem to be so common. Now I am not saying that it would be easy to be a parent now, honestly I think it would be a lot harder than in the past with all of the influences that exist now. The problem is the lack of information that parents are giving to their children. The younger generation is growing up much faster than anyone could have imagined and the only solution is to accommodate this change. Young children that are 11, 12, and 13 years old need to have their parents talking to them about safe sex and pregnancy. Yes it does seem young but this age range is when young kids are beginning to experiment with sex. The only solution is through knowledge. This youth needs to be taught earlier and more efficiently about the dangers of unprotected/safe sex and reasons to wait. There needs to be more concentration on this in schools starting with elementary. I remember sitting in the one day session that they tried to jampack all you need to know about sex into, it just didn’t do it. Parents need to be aware of this as well, they need to adjust and be ready to deal with these issues much earlier than expected. I remember learning about sex through my friends at school , not my parents. And all that was said to me from a parental view was “do you know what sex is?” “yes” “okay good.” I do admit that the “sexy TV shows” do have an impact on young girls now and they may not be the best for their main viewer age group but that isn’t going to change, and the shows aren’t going to go away . All you have to do is educate.