The topic of how media portrays sex, sexuality, eroticism, intimacy, or relationships can be controversial among adults and teenagers alike. This essay will explore these topics further to find out if there is truth behind them.
The idea that media may reflect real life situations has been explored for decades. It was believed that films, books, television shows, magazines, songs, commercials, etc., could reflect what really happened in society.
Some movies show gang violence while others focus on crime fighting or romantic love stories.
This view has changed due to new technologies like social media which allow anyone to share their own thoughts about anything without censorship from an editor. As a result, many people believe that the media doesn't accurately portray reality because they only show certain aspects of it while leaving others out. Adolescents are particularly affected by this phenomenon since they don't have enough experience yet to understand everything going on around them.
There are various ways in which adolescents can relate to media portrayals of sex. They may identify with characters who express themselves freely, even though they might not agree with every aspect of their behavior. Other times, they may feel uncomfortable watching something they wouldn't do themselves or wish they had done differently when they were younger.
If a character sleeps around too much or has affairs outside marriage, most adolescents would probably disapprove. If a girl kisses another woman passionately, she might feel uncomfortable watching it but still admire her strength. On the other hand, if a guy gets drunk and hits someone at a party, he might relate to his actions, even though it is wrong.
Adolescence is often associated with exploration and experimentation, and this includes sexuality as well. In fact, teens tend to explore their bodies more than adults do, so they could find themselves relating to characters in films or shows who engage in sexual activities. This doesn't mean that all adolescents will emulate these behaviors; instead, some learn from them and avoid doing things they don't like. Others might try new things just to see what happens, knowing that it isn't always healthy.
Media portrayals of intimacy also influence teenagers greatly because they provide models for how relationships should be developed. Whether they watch a couple falling in love or break up after an argument, they develop ideas about dating and romance. Adolescents may think that intimate relationships are easy, while others believe that they need time and patience to grow together. Still, others see relationships as complicated since there are many factors involved beyond physical attraction.
Media portrayals play a significant role in shaping adolescent perceptions of sex, sexuality, eroticism, and intimacy. While some aspects may not match their personal beliefs exactly, most teens use them to form opinions on these topics. They also use social media to share those thoughts with each other and discuss them openly. As long as they understand the difference between real life situations and what they see on TV, movies, or online, they can make informed decisions about their own lives.
In what ways do media portrayals align with or contradict adolescents' lived experiences and personal beliefs?
Media portrayals can be categorized into several main types: fictional entertainment (e. g. , television shows, movies), news (e. g. , broadcasting and newspapers), social media (e. g. , Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), advertisements, public awareness campaigns (e. g. , anti-smoking).