In a society where sex infiltrates all outlets of the media, a social conscious teenager may be influenced as well as pressured to participate in activities they are convinced “everyone is doing”. But instead of shunning the media for its strong influences, one can look to certain figures in the media for helpful refuge. Teenage stars such as the Jonas Brothers, a pop band, and Miley Cyrus, star of Disney’s Hannah Montana are vowing to abstain from sexual activity until marriage.

Conflict between moral and social values makes life difficult for teenagers. Should one stay a virgin until marriage because that is what our parents and religion enforce? Or should one just get it over with to feel cool and be like everyone else? Images in the media such as the pregnancy of Jamie Lynn Spears, the leakage of sex tapes, and the constant flashing of private parts of women in Hollywood reinforce the pressure, but, ironically, it is becoming a trend to abstain. One might assume that the previously mentioned stars just want attention and are going to go back on their word like Britney Spears did, but celebrities such as Jessica Simpson and Lenny Kravitz kept their word.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Judy Kurianksy, author of her book Generation Sex, states that there is a 10% reduction in high school teenagers participating in sexual intercourse leading the percentage of total sexually active teenagers to below 50% and believes that the public proclamations of purity from stars like the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus is a great thing. Teenagers need a role model to make them feel otherwise about sex and to convince them that it is okay to say no.

Participating in sexual activities as a teenager is extremely risky. There is the possibility of pregnancy, unprotected sex, and the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases. At a young age, the idea and feelings toward sex may be misconstrued by the media, our social contexts, and uncontrollable hormones. But by having role models, they can truly analyze how their own personal views about sex and make the right decision for themselves instead of being swayed to do something that is really not them.



If you would like to watch the video of the CNN news clip with Dr. Judy Kuriansky, please click below:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2008/04/09/anderson.sex.hollywood.cnn



BLOG COMMENTS:

Jasmine Ortiz

Do you think that other stars, such as bigger stars other than Hannah Montana could create a more broad audience to change people’s views, because I agree that the media does have a huge influence on teenagers?

Abe

I think the role models that were mentioned are doing the right thing but one can only hope that they will stay on the right path. We will have to see where Hannah Montana is a few years from now.

KG

The media does put pressure on teens but I agree that the media can help promote good ideas.

Anonymous

Not everyone looks to media as role models. Only children do. Teenagers are a different problem, they manipulate one another. Birth control should be the main focus of sex, it’s an activity in America that is a fad which can easily become a curse but everyone will one day take part.

Young Moo-la

Birth control could’ve been mentioned.

Booka

I agree with waiting to have sexual intercourse until marriage. It is ok to say no. The media does not give us a teen good advice on sex. They basically teach to have sex at a young age.