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This week's observance of World AIDS Day reminded us that 40,000 new HIV infections cccur each year in the United States alone. Reporting that teenagers and young adults represent one-half of those estimated cases,
AIDS Action gave the Clinton administration an "F" for AIDS prevention in an annual report card on AIDS policy. AIDS prevention is a public concern, yet as ninth grader Emily Bult points out, the entertainment media continues to promote promiscuity without discussing consequences. Emily examines media portrayals of sex in an article she wrote as part of a media literacy class sponsored by Duke University's Talent Identification Program.
The new president of NBC, Scott Sassa, decided to make more traditional family shows than sex comedies. Sassa told the New York Times that he did not personally object to the content of the sex comedies, but he wanted shows that are more original. These shows will be very different from HBO's Sex in the City, which aired last year. It is all about sex. Carrie, the main character, deals with problems with her boyfriend and other guys. Though it is more graphic, I think Sex in the City is like most television programs these days. Shows are about the relationship between men and women or boys and girls. Felicity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dawson's Creek are three examples of shows for teens that focus on dating. I think these shows are aimed at teens because they are just getting into dating and to them, it is the biggest aspect of life. Television programs or movies for mature adults, like The Joy of Sex, depict frequent sexual encounters, although truly mature adults could enjoy deeper shows about friendships or struggles within families, or maybe an educational program. But apparently society wants to see sex, because that is what is on television. The media portrays romantic relationships as the primary focus of everybody's lives. These relationships are important but so are friendships and family. In the media, if you are dating, you must sleep with your boyfriend or girlfriend as well. In a Friends episode, Phoebe, one of the main characters, is upset because her boyfriend has not had sex with her yet. The "problem" is resolved when she confronts him and they do finally have sex. I personally think the problem is when girls, unprepared to be mothers, get pregnant because they think it is all right to have sex. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article It's All About Sex in Media Literacy is owned by Kim Imdieke. Permission to republish It's All About Sex in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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