Sexualization in Digital Media
The world is increasingly connected digitally and this has led to a massive expansion of online platforms where users can access a wide range of multimedia content such as videos, images, text, music, games, etc. With the advent of these online platforms, there has been an increase in the availability of sexualized content that has become easily accessible to young people through various channels including social networking sites, pornography websites, dating apps, TV shows, movies, advertisements, and video games. There are many ways in which young people are exposed to sexualized content online but what is more alarming is that most of them have little knowledge about how this repeated exposure affects their cognitive schemas surrounding sexual pleasure, desire, and relational expectations. This essay will examine the effects of repeated exposure to sexualized digital media on these three aspects.
Cognitive Schemas
Cognitive schema refers to mental representations of objects, events or situations that guide thought processes and behaviors. These schemata help individuals make sense of the world around them and enable them to interpret new information based on their existing knowledge and experiences. When it comes to sexuality, there are specific cognitive schemata that govern an individual's perception of sex, love, intimacy, relationships, and pleasure. Exposure to sexualized media shapes these schemata by providing young people with distorted views of what constitutes healthy sexual behavior and relationships.
Frequent viewing of pornographic materials may lead young people to believe that sex should be performed without any emotional attachment and that it can only involve certain types of acts (e.g., anal sex). This distortion of sexuality leads to unrealistic expectations and may result in feelings of dissatisfaction when real-life partners do not match up to those ideals.
The constant exposure to images of perfect bodies through social networking sites and online dating apps may create negative self-image issues among young people who compare themselves to these idealized figures. Young people may develop a belief that they need to look a certain way to attract potential partners which can lead to body image concerns and low self-esteem. This is especially true for women who are more likely to feel pressured into meeting societal beauty standards due to sociocultural factors such as gender inequality.
This negative self-perception can manifest itself into insecurities and poor interpersonal skills which ultimately hinder healthy romantic relationships.
Desire
Repeated exposure to sexualized digital media has been linked to desensitization towards sexual content. The brain becomes accustomed to seeing explicit material and therefore requires more stimulation to achieve arousal or excitement. As a result, individuals may seek out more extreme forms of sexual gratification leading to risky behaviors like casual sex, unsafe practices (e.g., unprotected sex), and unwanted pregnancies. The desensitizing effect also means that individuals may find it difficult to form meaningful connections with their partners as they become less responsive to intimacy and emotional closeness. In essence, repeated exposure to sexualized digital media shapes cognitive schemas surrounding desire by encouraging individuals to seek thrills and novelty in sex rather than genuine connection and intimacy.
Relational Expectations
Sexualized media teaches young people that relationships should be transactional - an exchange of favors between two parties.
Men may learn that they have to shower their female partners with gifts and money while women are expected to submit themselves completely to their male partners' wishes. These beliefs create unrealistic expectations in relationships where one partner is always seeking something from the other without giving anything back. This can lead to feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction over time.
Young people who watch pornographic materials may develop the idea that relationships should only involve penetrative intercourse which can make them feel unsatisfied when real-life relationships do not meet these ideals. Repeated exposure to such misrepresentations of relationships creates distorted perceptions about what healthy intimate relationships look like, thus shaping cognitive schemata surrounding relational expectations.
Repeated exposure to sexualized digital media has significant effects on cognitive schemas surrounding pleasure, desire, and relational expectations. It leads to distorted views of sexuality, low self-esteem, desensitization, and unrealistic relationship expectations. While it cannot be denied that there are many benefits associated with online platforms, it is important for parents and educators to help young people navigate this world responsibly so as to avoid negative impacts on their personal development.
How does repeated exposure to sexualized digital media shape cognitive schemas surrounding sexual pleasure, desire, and relational expectations?
Increased exposure to sexualized digital media may have several effects on an individual's cognitive schemas surrounding sexual pleasure, desire, and relational expectations. One potential effect is the development of skewed perceptions of normalcy regarding sexual behavior and relationships. This can occur as individuals are exposed to unrealistic portrayals of idealized body types, sexual acts, and relationship dynamics through social media platforms and other digital channels.