Sexual content on TV is linked to teen pregnancy

Teenagers who watch a lot of television programs that contain sexual content are more than twice as likely to be involved in a pregnancy, according to a study published today in the journal Pediatrics.

Researchers from RAND Corporation surveyed about 2,000 adolescents, ages 12 to 17, nationwide in 2001 about their television habits and sexual behavior. Researchers focused on 23 programs popular among teenagers that were widely available on broadcast and cable TV. The shows included dramas, comedies, reality programs and animated shows. Sexual content was defined as depictions of sex as well as dialogue or discussion about sex. The participants were surveyed again three years later. About 700 said they had engaged in sexual intercourse by the third survey.

The teens who watched the most sexual content on TV (the 90th percentile) were twice as likely to have become pregnant or caused a pregnancy compared to the teens who watched the least amount of sexual content on TV (the 10th percentile). Adolescents who lived in a two-parent household had a lower probability of pregnancy while African Americans and adolescents with behavior problems were more likely to be involved in a pregnancy.

Parents should consider limiting their teen's exposure to sexual content on TV, said the study's lead author, Anita Chandra, a behavioral scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. Television producers should consider more realistic depictions of the consequences of sex in their scripts, she says, noting that there is little content on the consequences of unprotected sex. About 1 million adolescents become pregnant each year in the United States.

"Adolescents receive a considerable amount of information about sex through television and that programming typically does not highlight the risks and responsibilities of sex," said Chandra, in a news release. "Our findings suggest that television may play a significant role in the high rates of teenage pregnancy in the United States."

-- Shari Roan

Photo credit: Mark Liddell/HBO

Comments

[Peter Coffin]

Well if people didn't condition their children to learn everything from TV when they are little, the TV would have less influence as they age.

[joe]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *gasp* HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *gasp*HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *collapses*

[Ronald Jean]

This is a revealing example of how ignorant or, just not concerned society is,
when we need the help of a scientist to realize an issue such as this! But,
like other important issues that face society everyday, this wil blow over and
be forgotten so that the all mighty dollar can continue to be made and continue
to do it's damage! Everyboby breathing on this earth should be embarrased and
ashamed!

[Inverse137]

This article is bogus. Everyone knows how well "abstinence only" education works. Hell, look at our own Republican Vice Presidential candidate for example. A good ole' hockey mom that taught her daughters abstinence only....

Oh, never mind...

Don't want your kid to get pregnant? Talk to them about sex and make sure they know that it only takes 15 minutes to run to the gas station to buy condoms and a lifetime to raise a kid.

[Notumbo]

I find it ironic that viewing sexualized content makes young women suceptible to early sex and possible pregnancy and/or sexual diseases, while every time social scientists show a distinct link between violent content - video games, movies, television - the entire media empire shouts in howls of rage. "No such linkage" they cry! One thing does not "cause" another, they shout. What hooey.

Everyone's Puritan streak gets "aroused" everytime the subject is sex. But violence? As American as Apple Pie, dammit!! Can't hurt the kiddies, no siree! But sex? Ruin their lives, it will!

[casual correlation]

Perhaps 'hornier' people watch raunchier shows on TV, and are also more likely to get pregnant?
As opposed to the implication of the article which is that watching sexual content leads to pregnancy.

It's not that unlikely of a hypothesis!

[Lorelei Mission]

Kids whose parents barely supervise their lives, are able to watch the sexy tv programs all they want. And kids whose parents barely supervise their lives, don't get much info on how to prevent pregnancy, and have more opportunities to have unprotected sex.

So the TV isn't the cause of the pregnancy involvement. What we have here are two symptoms from a single cause, not one cause and one symptom.

[John]

This study is irrelevant, because it has no way to measure causality. It is just as likely (if not moreso) that the personality or personal views of kids who tend not to watch sexual content on TV are already also those least likely to engage in it.

[Dcouvina]

No Kidding? Unfortunately there are way too many maladjusted teens in this country that are easily influenced by Hollywood. Personally, I think those shows are mindless garbage.

[Spleen]

Boy, that's a shocker.

Good thing there are still a few parents left out here who don't need studies to tell us the obvious.

Yes, television is a strong motivator. It doesn't have to flash a direct message, all it has to do is give support to various view points in order to change behavior.

There's nobody sitting at the controls thinking "hmm, I'd like to make more teenage girls pregnant, so I'm going to do this type of show".

But there's the constant pushing of standards, a little bit here, a little bit there. The next thing you know where all so numb to it that we relieved that our daughters look up to Hanna Montana!!!!

People are controlled by their televisions. If you don't believe it, you're too far in.

Unfortunately, most of our country is too far in. Look at how the media force Obama on us, and look at how successful they were. He could NEVER have gotten so far without the media's influence on voters.

Sad to watch - it really is.

[FLboy386]

If kids got reasonable sex ed in school instead of learning about it from TV we would have far fewer teen age pregnancys. Just say no doesn't work for sex or drugs. Information is the best prevention.

[Jake Gordon]

DUHH! Why is this News? This is common sense people! However, the commericials shown during the episodes are far more potent than the program itself. Every wonder why you get HORNY watching a shampoo commercial?

[brad]

Yet again, the media reframes science to sell stories. PEER-REFEREED JOURNALS DO NOT SAY ONE THING CAUSES ANOTHER. They say there's a correlation, which means something else might have caused both of them. For example, kids in families that are less conservative about sex might be more likely to have sex as teens, AND more likely to see sex on television. One doesn't have to cause the other.

[Kevin]

I don't know why this is news to everyone. If watching t.v. did not alter peoples behavior there would be no commercial advertising.

[max]

Hooray for junk science.
People, read what the article claims the study says...and I quote:

"The teens who watched the most sexual content on TV (the 90th percentile) were twice as likely to have become pregnant or caused a pregnancy compared to the teens who watched the least amount of sexual content on TV"

This does NOT mean that watching those shows CAUSES these kids to become more sexually active. It only means that the kids who watch these shows are the same ones who are also more likely to become pregnant. It does not mean that one causes the other.

Just think about it. Kids who are more involved in sex are more likely to watch this type of programming ANYWAY. It doesn't mean the TV show CAUSED it.

My guess? Teens who are having reckless unprotected sex and getting pregnant watch all sorts of junk tv, and probably watch it a lot more than teens who are smart and careful, or (best of all) who aren't sexually active at all.

Brainless, dull-witted people are drawn to watching more tv to begin with.

[Bob]

Boy, the nutjobs sure do come out when you show a link between immoral entertainment and immoral behavior, don't they? Why don't you guys like to see that link? Because it undermines your desire for sexual immorality. Glad there are some of us left who know what morality is.

[Rob]

To those defending sex on tv: Do you actually have children? Your perspective will change when you do.

[Mike Jones]

"This is a revealing example of how ignorant or, just not concerned society is,
when we need the help of a scientist to realize an issue such as this!"

Well, yes it is: mostly, it shows how people like you are jumping to conclusions. The study does not show that watching more sex on TV causes higher pregnancy rates, it shows that they are correlated. It's just as plausible to assume that sexually active teens are also more likely to choose to watch sexual content on TV.

[Van]

Have to concur with Brad, Does watching sex content cause pregnancy, or do ignorant and promiscuous teens watch more TV with sex content? Or is the answer to require shows with sex content to run Planned Parenthood and contraceptive ads?

Van

[max]

OK, obviously from the natural standpoint people are meant to get pregnant - hormones, etc and there has to be supervision and education for this not to happen to kids. Now, perhaps if we read the other explanations in the study (two-parent vs. one parent households) we can find a different explanation - that stricter parents who monitor their children more carefully also monitor what they watch and their get to see less sex on

[Matt]

yes, lets blame TV.

nevermind the advertisers...

[josh]

Agree with "brad" above - the study is correlative, not causative. That said, I also agree with the study author: kids aren't exposed to the real consequences of sex. Entertainments focus on "getting the girl", not what happens after you get her! I think this is particularly true for abortion: forgetting the religious aspect for a moment, I don't know of *any* dramatic treatment that deals with abortion accurately, from either the male or female perspective. Abortion is a terrible last resort that takes a huge psychic and sometimes physical toll on all involved. You also never see people dealing with non-HIV STDs, and all the lingering discomfort and and problems they cause.

The same could be said of portrayals of "casual violence" - real consequences are not portrayed. In the movies, bar fights end with a pat on the back, a shot of whiskey and male bonding. But in the real world, people break their necks and get paralyzed for life, or someone doesn't like losing the fight and returns with a gun. This has always been a risk, but our society of strangers makes it even more likely.

[tarbubble]

kids copy what they see on TV. any parent will tell you that. we don't permit much TV watching, but when we do, we have to make sure we explain what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. TV taught my kids that flushing things down the toilet is funny - there was a parental TV oversight that cost us a pretty penny.

If you let your kids watch a bunch of trash, they're going to absorb trash. adolescents and teenagers are impressionable. Their brains are not fully mature. My husband works with 12 and 13-year old boys. They are like bulls with rings in their noses, entertainment leads them around so well. Adults are susceptible to this, too - when Sex & the City was a big hit, didn't the clothes and cocktails (mojitos) featured on the show have a big bump in sales?

And notumbo, i agree with you on the overall hypocrisy of violence vs. sex. My ultimate conclusion is that too much entertainment of any kind (internet included) dulls us to the realities and responsibilities of life.

[Noah Way]

How many generations before they link violence to TV?

You are what you eat.

[DrooSkee]

I knew someone would bring Obama into this..

You know what I do.. I have a TV. I only use it for DVD's. I dont have cable, except for internet. You can now get most of you beloved programs online. Hook your TV up to you're computer and a lot changes.. You are in control..

If my kid got pregnant watching TV... haha!!

[Doug Ruggerie]

Are you kidding me? Do we need a study to understand this. COMMON SENSE PEOPLE. Just like kids should be raised in 2 parent homes. COMMON SENSE PEOPLE> nothing more to say.

[Mimi Burns]

So would it then go without saying that 100 years ago teens were having sex because they saw people kissing in public...???
How do you think we all were procreated???? My mother-in-law has a great quote for this
'Every generation thinks THEY invented oral sex' - or in this case- sex~
My largest concern is knowing that I taught sex ed and the stats are not correct when it comes to transmittable diseases, I would say it is closer to 1 out of 2 people has/or has had some form of a sexually transmitted disease. Never mind pregnancy~ the disease can kill these young people and their partners. Education!

[Jim]

Max, you're exactly right. I was about to post the same thing. It's sad that this news organization even publishes articles like this. I guess ratings are more important than informing people.

[Brynne]

This is a bogus study. The problem is not what is on TV. Just look at how sex on television is so much more prominent in Europe, yet their rates of teen pregnancy are far lower. Those societies are much more open about sex and birth control while we treat it as a taboo subject.

[Joel]

Considering some of the crticial responses, one must realize the LAT article is a SUMMARY of the of the article published in the peer reviewed Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Before spouting off on the lack of evidence of causality or offering a layman's hypothesis, please read the study.

From the abstract, "This is the first study to demonstrate a prospective link between exposure to sexual content on television and the experience of a pregnancy before the age of 20. 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. Parents may be able to mitigate the influence of this sexual content by viewing with their children and discussing these depictions of sex.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/5/1047

[alv]

if you stop the teens watching sex content on TV they can go for internet. You have to teach the kids the consequences of early pregnancy and about safe sex that may be of more help.

[jen]

It took them 3 months to determine this? I could have told you this in 5 minutes. It's just obvious! Turn the TV off for your kid's sake. It's NOT good programming at any age.

:: Get rid of TV in your house!! ::

[Hunter]

This article is total bunk. European countries all show way more nudity and sex on TV than America and have much lower rates of teen pregnancy. The UK has the second highest teen pregnancy rate and is also the most conservative European country when it comes to nudity on TV. It seems to me that our puritanical ideals of hiding sex (kids love to look for what parents sweep under the rug and in this country it's sex), abstinance only education, and the general Christian tendency to want to stick their heads up their butt rather than deal with reality and talk to their kids is the real reason for teen pregnancy rates in this country. I say put more sex on TV and take out the violence.

[Tricknowledge]

Correlation is not causation. Just an article written for the pageviews. Way to go Times!

[Denise Pilgrim]

It does seem like this would be common sense but, obviously from some of the comments, a lot of people don't have any.

[BillyJoeBob]

And all these pregnancies are due to visual content of T.V. and have not been influenced by media stories about "pregnancy pacts", absent parenting, peer pressure, or or the fact that kids are sponges that soak up sexual content in everything from Viagra commercials to the L.A. Times "Image" section. Give me a break.

Quit being such prudes and educate your children instead of sending them out to find out for themselves.

[Thorsten Rhode]

Other commentators have already listed a lot of good reasons to at least be suspicious of how conveniently this study links ONE cause to ONE effect. Highly problematic, IMHO.
Also, why dies no one ever stop and look at other countries -- the UK, Germany, France -- they see much of the same content on TV (I know, I spent the first 30 years of my life on a diet of 90210, Dallas, Dynasty & Ally MacBeal -- imported from the US). Yet, teenage pregnancies there are a fraction of what they are over here. Could it be that a more open and relaxed way of dealing with this (most natural) subject actually helps avoid some of the things this puritan country tries to 'protect' its offspring from? (end of rhetorical question)

[Latigoslim]

Another find example of the sensationally biased press printing somewhat misleading 'facts' to up readership and therefore ad revenues.
Disgusting.
And as for teens, if the parents won't take sex with thekids, let the school-based clinics educate them. No it is not up to government or shcools to teach the kids about sex, but if their folks won't school-based is better than 'one the street' or 'in th back seat' info.

[RN]

The broadcast media today reminds me of the tobacco companies of yesteryear. They would howl at any research showing a link between lung cancer and smoking. The media today is willfully negligent of its roll in encouraging promiscuity in our young people. The pervasiveness of the media makes it almost impossible for parents to intervene effectively in their children's cultural diet, which like fast food, is just bad for you.

Well, parents can do something. I did. We don't have TV. Life is not a bed of roses. There a pros and cons, but it is one thing I could do to put a fire wall between my kids and the incessant chant of the media to have sex and ignore the consequences.

[Will Gant]

This comes as no surprise to me. And since I am only 20, this fit into my age group. Modern society has shunned sex, and even mentioning sex. Its something that "We do not speak of" and yet everyone does it. Its a fact of nature. If we did not have sex, we would cease to exist.

There has been a big push to get condoms and other contraceptives in public schools, a place where kids are 8 hours a day on weekdays. Sex needs to be brought out of the bedroom and into the light!! If we talk about it, and teach teens about it, perhaps less of them will end up knocked up. Hiding it, and pretending abstinence works is NOT WORKING.

My Girlfriend and I have always been careful. We use condoms, she has birth control. Teens need to know that they SHOULD use this sort of stuff, and not be ashamed for being responsible. Parents need to talk to their kids about it, mine did, and it helped me understand what needed to be done.

And most of all, companies need to realize what their actions do to teens. The parents cannot stop their kids from seeing sexual content if the advertising firms use sex to promote EVERYTHING. Yes it works, but it has a negative impact on the youth of today, and we will be the leaders of tomorrow.

-Will

Help Save the SS United States, the Flagship of America, and the fastest Ocean Liner in the world!
http://www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/savetheclassiclinerscampaign.html

[Tim]

Of course this is painfully obvious. But unfortunately, we still need studies like this because there are plenty of people out there who argue against common sense. Some will try to use every reason under the sun to rationalize away this clear correlation/causation. Btw--I agree Joel, read the actual study before criticizing it.

Bottom-line people have premarital sex no matter what. But if we're in an environment where it's portrayed as commonplace and having little consequences, it's more likely to happen more often. Human nature 101.

[Scott Somerville]

Assuming the study can be replicated, you can't argue with the correlation between high sexual content on television and higher sexual activity among teens. It is fair to ask whether the TV causes the activity or is just an indicator of some other causal factor.

The most obvious other factor to look for would be parental control over the child. Most parents wouldn't want their children to fall into the 90th %ile of kids who watch sexualized television. Parents who can't prevent their children from watching raunchy shows probably can't prevent them from sexual activity. Thus, this study may say as much about the breakdown of family discipline as it does about the causal effects of soft-core porn.

Having said that...

Saying "no" to raunchy TV appears to be a meaningful indicator that a teen is more willing to say "no" to casual sex. Maybe our sex ed classes ought to bring in more discussion of the negative effects of pornography in general--especially the trivialization of sex and the objectification of women.

[Seth]

Europe has far more sex on their television than American yet they don't have the same teen pregnancy issues. Maybe if all school districts steer clear of abstinence only "education" and teach kids how to make intelligent choices rather than putting the scare tactic on them. Also, shouldn't their parents monitor how much tv they watch and talk with them about sex and whatnot?

[Laura]

Seriously, reading these comments is actually scary. Of course television influences children. It's not rocket science people. Why do you think Big Bird is so popular? It's because he teaches our kids so much. Why do you think Blues Clues is popular? Again, because our kids are so susceptible to the shows teachings. Unfortunately, the kids who are most susceptible to trash television are very young as well. You take a twelve-year-old, and put them in front of a TV where they are watching cool seventeen-year-olds... Newsflash... That's what they think cool seventeen-year-olds do. That's what they strive to become.

[L]

It's interesting that you are running this article the same day you are promoting this one...

"Porn stars are the new crossover artists"

Artists? Wow, more great news for parents!

My humble opinion? Too many parents working too many hours to pay for the granite countertops and Escalade, and too many unsupervised kids watching a TV fantasyland where promiscuous sex rarely results in unplanned pregnancies, STD's. HepC or HIV. If there is a pregnancy, the baby is super cute, dressed up in adorable clothes, placed in an expensive stroller and quickly handed over to a professional Nanny to care for it 12 plus hours a day so Mom can get on with her exciting life. Eventually the baby becomes a bore and is rarely mentioned, or phased out of the storyline.

[Steve]

A dolphin could conduct a better study than this crap.

[Billy Joe Bob]

So this has everything to do with T.V. program content and no reflection on influence such as peer pressure, "pregnancy pacts", the L.A. Times Image section, commercials promoting "when the moment arises" or just the lack of parental guidance? Give me a break. EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN. Be there for them when they have questions or even before, instead of being such a prude. This is a witch hunt that will end with the repeal of the 1st amendment. Next in line, all music that arouses the senses, public exhibition of opposite sex animals, and trips to Europe by anyone under the age of 18!

[Stanley]

Just because your kids watch stuff on TV that may, at times, promote sex, doesn't mean they are going to become sexually active and become pregnant. Some people are smart. They have their own morals and beliefs that they go by, and that's why they can watch that kind of television maturely. Some of you "posters" need to realize that it is not the media's fault, it's the stupidity of your teenager. Media has always been promoting sex, drugs, and alcohol, and the teen pregnancy rate is rising now? How much sense does that make...honestly. Instead of telling your kids to stay away from sex, tell them how to do it safely. No matter how much you preach abstinence, your kids are still going to be exposed to that content at school, at work, and in the media. Don't put blame on others for mistakes you or someone around you may make. Be proactive, inform your kids about sex.

WRAP IT UP BOYS

[Joe Mamma]

Yes, people do believe what the TV tells them. This is why Obama has so much support.

[ceallaig]

TV has been blamed for everything that is wrong with society from violence to drug use to bad language, so why should this be any different? Parents who allow the TV to be a babysitter and not TALK TO THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT SEX are to blame for the increase, NOT television.