The Parents Television Council has released its findings in their independent study regarding Sex on Television. Not surprisingly, sex in marriage is being abandoned in favor of non-marital sex, sexual dialogue, adultery, etc.
This is definitely not news to anyone as all you have to do is watch television to see this trend being lived out. However, when the numbers are put together it is rather heart-breaking.
One term they used in their study was "the Family Hour" (8:00-9:00pm) - I had forgotten all about that hour. I haven't heard it used in so long that I forgot that it existed (I bet most teens have no idea what I'm talking about). Long gone are the days of The Cosby Show (a show I used to watch regularly with my family) and other family-friendly programs.
Now instead, these are the options we get to pick from (something most teens look at adults and say "what's the big deal?" because they're so used to seeing/hearing it):
- The Family Hour contained the highest frequency of references to non-married sex as opposed to references to sex in marriage, by a ratio of 3.9:1. During the 9:00 and 10:00 hours, the references to non-marital versus marital sex averaged 2.5:1.
- Verbal references to non-marital sex outnumbered references to sex in the context of marriage by nearly 3 to 1
- Scenes depicting or implying sex between non-married partners outnumbered scenes depicting or implying sex between married partners by a ratio of nearly 4 to 1
To see the full report, click here: https://www.parentstv.org/ptc/publications/reports/sexontv/marriagestudy.pdf
It's a 24 page document, but the first 2 pages contain the bulk of their findings.
MY TWO CENTS:
I'm not advocating for the removal of sex from television or think its taboo (sex). What I am advocating for is television shows, networks, advertisers, etc. to put sex in its proper context: the marriage relationship between a husband and wife. Celebrate sex for what it is designed to be and in what relationship it is to be enjoyed. Don't glamorize it as a consequence-free endeavor and primary way to share feelings with others (or just to get lusts satisfied).
Bring back the healthy, marital relationship where husbands like Cliff Huxtable (from The Cosby Show) love and honor their wife and chase her upstairs after noting excitedly "Hey, hey... the KIDS are ASLEEP!". Give teens something to look forward to in marriage ("I can't wait to have someone that loves me like that") versus talking bad about marriage and sex in marriage ("I don't have sex, I'm married") or saying/acting bluntly "who needs marriage? Have fun now!"
GOOD JOB PARENT TV COUNCIL on this report!!!
And that's what I think about marriage on TV ought to be Charlie Brown...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
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2 comments:
I remember watching Beverly Hills 90210 as a teen, and on the show it was such a big deal to lose your virginity at prom (just like a hundred other shows/movies). A LOT of my classmates/friends were influenced by that show (and that was 14+ years ago!) Now what kids watch makes 90210 look like Elmo's World. I'm really sad about what's out there now. Some of the worst shows like Gossip Girl, The Hills, endless stupid reality shows, and other shows geared toward the younger generation encourage premarital sex. Maybe encourage isn't the word - but they make it out like sex is just a normal part of a "relationship" -gay or staight, married or not.
That is so crazy that you mentioned that show because it was one that came to my mind too! It was THE show when i was a teen. and you're right, it was such a major influence in teens' lives. crazy! now, you're right, today's shows are without words and it seems like the world embraces them all. Sad... Laura and I were talking a few weeks ago (before the report came out) about how there are not any shows on during the prime time hour that we want to watch with our kids (or that are at least trying to get us to watch together) and how that has changed from when we were growing up. Sad indeed.
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