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Physician council faults media’s portrayal of sex

Strasburger VC. Pediatrics. 2010;126:576-582.

Physicians with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Communications and Media are speaking out in a policy statement about the media’s portrayal of sex, noting that adolescents need clear-cut information about human sexuality and contraception.

According to the statement, most sexual education comes from the media — including TV, movies, music, magazines and the Internet — accounting for 7 hours of the average child or teenager’s day. More than 75% of prime-time TV shows contain sexual content, yet only 14% mention risks or responsibilities associated with sex. The consequences of sexual miseducation are particularly evident in the United States, where the teen pregnancy rate is the highest in the Western world, and one in four teenagers has had a sexually transmitted infection.

“American media make sex seem like a harmless sport in which everyone engages, and results of considerable research have indicated that the media can have a major effect on young people’s attitudes and behaviors,” according to the statement, issued by Victor C. Strasburger, MD, and other authors.

Strasburger and colleagues said recent studies have found that listening to sexually degrading lyrics was associated with earlier sexual intercourse. Other studies have indicated that teenagers whose parents limited television and movie viewing time were less sexually experienced. They also highlighted the results of nine longitudinal studies, which included more than 10,000 teenagers, and found that exposure to sexual content can nearly double the risk of early sexual intercourse.

The authors said abstinence-only eduction is far less effective at preventing teen pregnancy than contraception, and they faulted Americans’ reluctance to provide contraceptives and birth controls to teenagers.

“The United States is the only Western nation that still subscribes to the dangerous myth that giving teenagers access to birth control — and media represent a form of access — will make them sexually active at a younger age,” the council said. “Other countries advertise birth control products widely and have a much lower rate of teen pregnancy.”

They cited eight peer-reviewed, controlled clinical trials that found freer access to condoms does not increase sexual activity in teenagers but does increase condom use in those who are already sexually active.

“Advertising condoms, birth control pills, and emergency contraception on TV and radio could further decrease the teen pregnancy rate. Yet, several networks refuse such advertisements,” they wrote.

The authors issued several recommendations for pediatricians. Their primary suggestion was to ask two media-related questions at each visit: “How much time do you spend with entertainment media each day?” and “Is there a TV or Internet access in your bedroom?” Research has shown that a TV in the child’s bedroom is associated with a higher rate of drug use and sexual activity. The AAP recommends limiting media time to 2 hours per day.

The media has been shown to have a significant influence on teen attitudes and behaviors, and it is critical that we all examine how sex and sexuality are portrayed in the media. Many of these portrayals are far from realistic, and the emotional and physical health risks inherent in these experiences are glossed over or ignored altogether. It is also critical that families engage in meaningful discussions with teens about sex and sexuality. Studies support the extremely important role that families and family expectations play in teen behavior. By watching and experiencing some of these media images as a family, opportunities are abound for parents and guardians to talk to teens about their perspectives and educate adolescents regarding safe behaviors and family expectations.

– Amy Middleman, MD, MPH
Infectious Diseases in Children Editorial Board

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