In today's society, it is almost impossible for teenagers to avoid being exposed to sexualized content. With smartphones, social media platforms, TV shows, movies, video games, music lyrics, magazines, billboards, and advertising all featuring sexualized images and messages, it can be difficult for adolescents to escape this type of exposure.
There are many ways that this exposure can affect their moral reasoning, ethical judgment, and relational decision-making skills. This essay will explore these effects in depth, using research studies and examples from real life to illustrate how exposure to sexualized content impacts young people.
Exposure to sexualized content has been shown to have a significant effect on adolescent's morality. According to one study, "Adolescents who reported more frequent exposure to pornography were less likely to engage in prosocial behavior" (Kraus et al., 2016). This means that when teens see images or messages promoting sex, they may start to view it as something normal and even necessary, which can lead them to act out sexually without considering the consequences.
Some studies have found that exposure to pornography can decrease empathy and increase aggression towards women (Donnerstein & Linz, 1987; Carroll et al., 2015). In other words, young people who watch pornography may become desensitized to violence against women and see them as objects rather than human beings with feelings and rights.
Research suggests that exposure to sexualized content can also impact an adolescent's ability to make healthy relationship decisions. One study found that teenagers who watched pornography were more likely to have unrealistic expectations about what intimacy should look like in a relationship (Maddox, 2003). They may believe that all relationships involve rough sex, aggressive behavior, or extreme orgasms, which could lead them to seek out partners who are willing to fulfill these fantasies. Similarly, exposure to sexy images or messages may create an unhealthy obsession with physical appearance or body type, making it difficult for teens to form meaningful connections based on personality traits and shared values.
Another way that exposure to sexualized content affects moral reasoning is by altering how teenagers judge morality itself. Some studies suggest that regular consumption of erotic media can change the way young people think about right and wrong, leading them to view certain behaviors as acceptable or even normal despite their harmful effects (Kraus et al., 2016). This can include things like cheating, abuse, and exploitation, which can have serious consequences for both individuals and society as a whole.
There are many ways that exposure to sexualized content can negatively impact adolescents' moral reasoning, ethical judgment, and relational decision-making skills. Teachers, parents, and other adults need to be aware of this issue and take steps to help young people develop healthier attitudes towards sex and relationships. This can include teaching positive communication and consent skills, encouraging critical thinking about media messages, and providing alternatives to pornography and other forms of erotic media. By doing so, we can help ensure that our children grow up to be healthy, happy, and well-adjusted members of society.
In what ways does exposure to sexualized content affect adolescents' moral reasoning, ethical judgment, and relational decision-making?
The study of the effects that exposure to sexualized media has on adolescent development is an important topic with implications for both parents and educators alike. Exposure to sexualized content can have various impacts on adolescents' moral reasoning, ethical judgment, and relational decision-making abilities.