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.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
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.
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