Media

For Immediate Release:
September 7, 2004

Contact: Adrienne Verrilli
212-819-9770 ext. 325

Study Links Increased Sexual Activity With Viewing of Sexual Content in Television Programming

New York, NY - The RAND Corporation released a study today that concluded that young people who watch large amounts of television containing sexual content are more likely to initiate sexual intercourse and other sexual activities, including making out and oral sex, than those who watch little television. The study also found, however, that exposure to safer-sex messages in television programming resulted in a slower progression of sexual activity.

"Today's study should be viewed as both a wake-up call and an opportunity," said Joseph DiNorcia, Interim President and CEO of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS). "This study shows that young people are experiencing the effects of our highly sexualized society, but also that they respond positively to safer-sex messages," continued DiNorcia.

In addition, the study found that numerous factors beyond television viewing influenced those young people who were more likely to initiate sexual intercourse including, "older age, having older friends, getting lower grades, engaging in deviant behavior, and sensation-seeking." Factors that influenced delayed progression of sexual activity included "parental monitoring, parent education, living with both parents, having parents who disapprove if the adolescent has sex, being religious, and having good mental health."

"Parents, educators, and policymakers have an obligation to ensure that all of our young people are receiving open, honest, and medically accurate information about their sexual health at home and in school," DiNorcia said. "This study confirms that television plays a role when young people are forming sexual attitudes and making decisions about their behavior. Although some television shows include positive message about safer-sex, far fewer go the extra step. That is why it is critical for young people to receive information from trusted and informed adults," DiNorcia continued.

For additional information on talking with your kids about sex, visit: http://www.familiesaretalking.org or http://www.lafamiliahabla.org.

To view the study, go to: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/114/3/e280

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