Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9UQQic7HT4

This youtube video demonstrates how relationships are generally represented on TV. One common theme is that although usually "traditional" relationships are perfect and glamorous, when there is a problem it is usually initiated by the women/girl. This is important because both boys and girls are affected by this portrayal, and take these ideas with them when they venture into their own relationships.

Traditional Relationship

This photo, taken from the show Boy Meets World of the characters Cory and Tapanga, represents how "traditional" relationships are portrayed on TV. This image reinforces social norms of what the "traditional" relationship should be (not inter-racial, not same sex), and also shows how happy people could be in this type of relationship. This show is also geared at adolescents which is the age group that I am studying.

In depth

One of the studies done by Rebecca Collins, Marc Elliot, Sandra Berry, and David Kanouse, looked into the portrayals of sex on entertainment television and how it may contribute to adolescents initiating in sexual activity. Their results showed that adolescents who viewed more sexual content were more likely to initiate intercourse and progress to more advanced sexual activities during the next year. These findings provide evidence for a correlation between watching sexual content on television, (approximately two-thirds of TV programs contain sexual content), and how quickly adolescents are initiating in sexual activity. The relationships between adolescents are becoming romantic earlier, due to their exposure to sexual content on Television. This demonstrates how portrayals of relationships on TV can affect our behavior. Other studies show how portrayals of relationships on TV adds to what we expect out a relationship, which usually follows social norms.

Research Question

      I am interested in researching the effects that television exposure has on romantic relationships, including how people they perceive ideal and normative relationships, as well as how sexual interactions are affected by television viewing. This is important because media effects our every day lives whether we know it or not, or whether it is intentional or unintentional. I will answer my research question by looking at similar studies done on this subject, and connecting their findings. These include things on why TV affects people, specifically adolescents, and the results of this relationship. Not only does TV portrayals of relationships affect how we perceive relationships, but it also affects our behavior in our own relationships.