Sex By Rebecca L. Collins Analysis

Heating Up Sex has become a prominent topic for television in this generation. Rebecca L. Collins, a senior behavioral scientist who graduated from UCLA, claims in the essay “Does Watching Sex on Television Influence Teens’ Sexual Activity?” that sex on television influences the early initiation of sex for teens. She believes that the leverage that television has over teens can easily be avoided and provides ways to decrease teens’ sexual activity. However, television has a positive influence on teens’ sexual behavior. Her argument can easily be disproved with the support of shows that appear on television today. Although Collins defends her argument with studies and research, sexual talk on television has a positive impact on teens. Lastly,
Curiosity and the desire to have sex for young teens is inevitable, even if the teens did not see it on television. People believe television has a negative influence on teens’ sexual activity. Their belief that sex is portrayed as a “fun, casual activity” on television is a misconception. Viewers are able to see the consequences of sexual activity through the lives of others on television. Collins argues that “TV plays a role in hastening the initiation of sexual activity,” (Collins qtd. Rottenberg 543). however, her point is rebutted because MTV’s show, 16 & Pregnant, clearly illustrates the consequences of teens who engage in sexual activity at a young age. This show documents the lives of young pregnant teens extensively in order to educate viewers about the impact of careless sexual activity. According to an article in The Independent Florida Alligator, written by Jensen Werley, Bruce Floyd, a social media specialist for UF University Relations, says that “these [shows] could encourage teenagers to think critically about the consequences of pregnancy,” which supports the fact that television has a positive influence on teens’ sexual activity. Floyd continues, “MTV shoes could help educated people how teen pregnancy is not glamorous and can change your life dramatically,” which contradicts Collins’ idea that “sex is often presented as a casual activity without risk or consequences” (Collins qtd. Rottenberg
The intentions of television shows such as 16 & Pregnant is often overlooked. Some interpret this show as a way of glamorizing teen pregnancy because the mothers get to be on a reality show. However, when these mothers are projecting their daily struggles of becoming a teen mom, one realizes that it is not glamorous at all. Sex on television also has the ability to educate teens about ways to prevent unplanned pregnancies and the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases. Although teens may still engage in sexual activity at a younger age than expected, it is important for them to be educated about the risks and consequences of their actions. Because teens are not being educated well enough about sex by their parents or teacher, sexual activity displayed on television shows serve as an importance to the adolescents. It is essential for the adolescents to be able to ask questions when they need to; otherwise, they are at risk of the consequences of engaging in sexual