Study links sex on TV to pregnancy
by Bo Banducci | The Eagle (American University)
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: News
(U-WIRE) — Some AU students say they doubt the results of a new that study found that teenagers who watch more sexual content on TV are more likely to become pregnant or impregnate a partner.
The study, which tracked 2,003 teenagers between the ages of 12-17 from 2001 to 2004, found that sexually active kids who saw the most sexual content had a 25 percent chance to be involved in a pregnancy, while those who watched the least had a 12 percent chance, according to The Washington Post.
The Research and Development Corporation (RAND) study monitored the amount of TV teens watched by pre-selecting the 23 most sexually explicit popular shows, like "Sex and the City" and "Friends," and carefully rated the average sexual content of those shows. RAND, a non-profit global policy think tank, defined sexual content as both depiction of sex and dialogue on sex.
Sexual content on TV has doubled over the past few years, a researcher for the study told the Post.
AU students have mixed views as to the direct correlation between sexual content watched and pregnancy.
Emily Heltzer, a freshman in the Kogod School of Business who watches shows that feature sexual activity, said she doesn't believe sex on TV is a major factor in the pregnancy rate.
Lauren Allen, a freshman in Kogod, said she was reluctant to concede a relationship.
"There are a lot of other factors," she said.
Heltzer and Allen said they both think there needs to be more testing to show that other factors are not contributing to the correlation.
Noel Klingler, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said he believes the relationship exists watching sex on TV and increased sexual activity. He said when sex is viewed causally it can lead to teens having more sex and therefore a greater chance of impregnation.
"If all you watch on TV is people having sex, it kind of becomes not a big deal to you," Klingler said.
The study, which tracked 2,003 teenagers between the ages of 12-17 from 2001 to 2004, found that sexually active kids who saw the most sexual content had a 25 percent chance to be involved in a pregnancy, while those who watched the least had a 12 percent chance, according to The Washington Post.
The Research and Development Corporation (RAND) study monitored the amount of TV teens watched by pre-selecting the 23 most sexually explicit popular shows, like "Sex and the City" and "Friends," and carefully rated the average sexual content of those shows. RAND, a non-profit global policy think tank, defined sexual content as both depiction of sex and dialogue on sex.
Sexual content on TV has doubled over the past few years, a researcher for the study told the Post.
AU students have mixed views as to the direct correlation between sexual content watched and pregnancy.
Emily Heltzer, a freshman in the Kogod School of Business who watches shows that feature sexual activity, said she doesn't believe sex on TV is a major factor in the pregnancy rate.
Lauren Allen, a freshman in Kogod, said she was reluctant to concede a relationship.
"There are a lot of other factors," she said.
Heltzer and Allen said they both think there needs to be more testing to show that other factors are not contributing to the correlation.
Noel Klingler, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said he believes the relationship exists watching sex on TV and increased sexual activity. He said when sex is viewed causally it can lead to teens having more sex and therefore a greater chance of impregnation.
"If all you watch on TV is people having sex, it kind of becomes not a big deal to you," Klingler said.
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