Updated: Mon Nov. 03 2008 03:40:41

The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Groundbreaking research suggests that pregnancy rates are much higher among teens who watch a lot of TV with sexual dialogue and behavior than among those who have tamer viewing tastes.

"Sex and the City," anyone? That was one of the shows used in the research.

The new study is the first to link those viewing habits with teen pregnancy, said lead author Anita Chandra, a Rand Corp. behavioral scientist. Teens who watched the raciest shows were twice as likely to become pregnant over the next three years as those who watched few such programs.

Previous research by some of the same scientists had already found that watching lots of sex on TV can influence teens to have sex at earlier ages.

Shows that highlight only the positive aspects of sexual behavior without the risks can lead teens to have unprotected sex "before they're ready to make responsible and informed decisions," Chandra said.

The study was released Monday in the November issue of Pediatrics. It involved 2,003 12- to 17-year-old girls and boys nationwide questioned by telephone about their TV viewing habits in 2001. Teens were re-interviewed twice, the last time in 2004, and asked about pregnancy. Among girls, 58 became pregnant during the follow-up, and among boys, 33 said they had gotten a girl pregnant.

Participants were asked how often they watched any of more than 20 TV shows popular among teens at the time or which were found to have lots of sexual content. The programs included "Sex and the City," "That '70s Show" and "Friends."

Pregnancies were twice as common among those who said they watched such shows regularly, compared with teens who said they hardly ever saw them. There were more pregnancies among the oldest teens interviewed, but the rate of pregnancy remained consistent across all age groups among those who watched the racy programs.

Chandra said TV-watching was strongly connected with teen pregnancy even when other factors were considered, including grades, family structure and parents' education level.

But the study didn't adequately address other issues, such as self-esteem, family values and income, contends Elizabeth Schroeder, executive director of Answer, a teen sex education program based at Rutgers University.

"The media does have an impact, but we don't know the full extent of it because there are so many other factors," Schroeder said.

But Bill Albert, chief program officer at the nonprofit National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, praised the study and said it "catches up with common sense."

"Media helps shape the social script for teenagers. Most parents know that. This is just good research to confirm that," Albert said.

Still, U.S. teen pregnancies were on a 15-year decline until a 3 percent rise in 2006, the latest data available. Experts think that could be just a statistical blip.

And Albert noted that the downward trend occurred as TV shows were becoming more sexualized, confirming that "it's not the only influence."

Psychologist David Walsh, president of the National Institute on Media and the Family, cited data suggesting only about 19 per cent of American teens say they can talk openly with a trusted adult about sex. With many schools not offering sex education, that leaves the media to serve as a sex educator, he said.

"For a kid who no one's talking to about sex, and then he watches sitcoms on TV where sex is presented as this is what the cool people do," the outcome is obvious, Walsh said.

He said the message to parents is to talk to their kids about sex long before children are teens. Parents also should be watching what their kids watch and helping filter messages sex-filled shows are sending, he said.

Comments are now closed for this story

Socialism is killing us
Monkey do as monkey see. No wonder you see alot of single teens who are either pregnant or with a baby in hand. It's cool because it's on tv.

Karen (Ottawa)
I suppose it makes sense that those who watch "sexy" TV are more inspired to have sex, but they're getting pregnant because of UNPROTECTED sex. TV's not causing that problem...

Ian Ottawa
It is a status thing with some teens and the "Parents" are not to blame in all cases because our "Society" has taken the discipline away from the parents. The kids need guidance and now the normal thing is there self esteme.

Patrick
What an absolutely SHOCKING discovery!!!!!! (eyes rolling)
This is one of the reasons that we haven't had TV in our house for almost 2 years.
Question is.....why are parents allowing their kids to watch these shows?

Tazzy
I think a lot of things are to be blamed for TV because that's what influences lots of people. I would say not only teenagers even some adults today we have high rate of teen pregnancies, murders, crimes, and divorces. We have more depressed people in our society cause they watch TV whole day and some of the shows affect them. Like the other person said Monkey do as monkey see. SO please the GOVTERNMENT should control the TV we do not need the TV to control our lives!

Mandosa in Sarnia, Ontario
Or maybe parents should shut of the blasted TV altogether, and try some parenting for once? Nahhh, what we really need here is some good old government programs to save us.

Dave - Sudbury, ON
This is absolutely no surprise. Is TV to blame? Partially yes but I say where are the parents to say "that is wrong, that is not how it is in real life or abstain till your married" Parents that are involved in their kids lives and provide sound role models have a greater chance of avoiding these life altering lapses in teen judgement. At the very least, they can offer educational choices on pregnancy prevention.

Dean
Geez, what a surprise> How many of you out thre don't realize that behaviour is learned? Why do you think clothing people, accessories, etc., love it when the papparazzi snap photos of their latest stuff being worn by the latest "hottie", (tramp), in Hollywood. I believe in free speech but where are the parents of these kids? Why not be open with your kids about the dangers of sex? At least if they get some kind of open discussion regarding the subject, then they know about "action/reaction". You can't blame everything on someone else. Stand up and be accountable to your own family.

Garbage in garbage out! Simple explanation.
"....rates are much higher among teens who watch a lot of TV with sexual dialog and behavior than among those who have tamer viewing tastes" (Well duh!)

Same with violent movies, games, TV programs and cartoons.

We are what we eat and we are what we watch, listen and read. Garbage in garbage out.
Parents are to blame.

If we returned to the parental values we held 50 years ago our lives would be much much better.

Society has not progressed socially but actually digressed as we embraced social liberal values and will continue to decline until we change our ways.

Schills
I think that's a pretty poor study. There are too many other factors to make a blanket statement like that, leave it to the media. It's like saying 90% of teens that became pregnant rode a bicycle so it must be bicycles causing teen pregnancy.

Michael (Ottawa)
What do you expect when our own CRTC authorizes such things as pornographic television channels.

When parents watch this crap is it such a difficult thing to understand the values of their children will also get screwed up?

TV has become a curse to so many families who waste so much of their life in front of their "Glass Altar".

There are alternatives.

Steve in Fredericton
I think more younger people should be having babies. Sounds strange I know, but the more kids you have younger in life (the younger the better... within reason), the more able our society will be to support the aged.

From a parents perspective this sounds scary. But speaking as a parent of a teen-age mother, I know I have more fun with my grandkids as a younger "grandfather" than most do who can barely muster the energy to get up off the couch. My grandkids will know and understand what it means to be fit and able later in life.

Sask girl
This is correlational. I don't think it's realistic to assume causation. I think that there are underlying personality factors. I mean obviously a teen who has sex at a young age is more "comfortable" with the subject than one who doesn't. It doesn't really surprise me that their viewing tastes differ.

Still, I think we need to make a distinction between teen sex and teen pregnancy. Why aren't teens using contraception?

Casz
quote ...But Bill Albert, chief program officer at the nonprofit National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, praised the study and said it "catches up with common sense." endquote

You don't do scientific research to confirm answers, the problem is that people only like the results when it agrees with their version of common sense. Then they don't have to do anything different.

TV, video games etc. are great scapegoats. Parents & guardians can be comforted with the thought that even if they did restrict TV viewing and game playing, provided age appropriate, up to date education and encouraged mentoring; TV and videogames would over ride their influence.

Where's the moral compass?
Karen: "but they're getting pregnant because of UNPROTECTED sex. TV's not causing that problem..."

The problem is they are being influenced by TV and are engaging in sex by which they get pregnant. NO SEX NO PREGNANCY.

Teen girls and guys should be doing other things than screwing around. They do not have the emotional maturity to be engaging in sexual intercourse. Those who condone and encourage these activities are lowering the moral standards for our kids.

Michael (Ottawa)
Steve
"From a parents perspective this sounds scary"

No Steve, it sounds totally irresponsible and very foolish to me.

Jason Brown
I'd have to read the methodology of the study, but it may not be the particular TV shows themselves that are influencing teens to have sex. Those who watch the shows may simply not be doing anything else (i.e., they are bored) and so they watch TV and have sex, whereas more active teens are engaged in activities other than sex and TV.

kate
Sex is natural, we're animals like it or not and as such we have natural urges - look what happened to the Catholic church when you try to repress what is natural. Locking kids up and banning TV isn't going to stop them from wanting to experience pleasure - educating them as to what happens when you don't use birth control will help. The US has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the world, not because of TV but because of belief in an antiquated myth that prohibits them from teaching kids about birth control and responsibility.

I can't believe in 2008 we're still having these same discussions.

chris
to paraphrase the late pope "AIDS is bad, Condoms are worse" you arnt going to stop teens from having sex its not going to happen and chances are your precious little snowflake has a few friends who are sluts or man whores the difference is in making sure that they know what can happen and take the proper precautions.

R&R
This type of research tells us nothing more than there is an association between those who may ALREADY be more interested in sex and sexual activity having a higher likelihood of watching sexualized content on TV. This study does nothing to provide evidence of a cause and effect relationship between TV watching and teen pregnancy.

This same misleading argument and type of research used to be used to "prove" watching pornographic materials led to sexual offending. This theory has since been disproven ... and so will this new version of the same argument promoted by the conservative research machine trying to demonize sexual content.

Paul
Gun related murders arent the problem, its the speed at which the bullets are delivered thats the issue!

I think the study should be much more extensive and determine which bicycle seats are causing pregnancy.

"Underlying personality factors" I'm thinking that "these underlying personality factors" is what they are studying and are suggesting that they are formed by what people observe to be common and acceptable behavior.

Yes, we are a direct part of the problem when we fail to see how our actions and words influence people around us, in particular young people. Perhaps some of us are afraid to admit that we are a sum of our experiences & influences, whether fictional, actual or deduced. Regardless, dont allow your own inability to accept this fact to cause your fellow person harm. Open your mind and perhaps accept the fact that tv is a huge influence on peoples lives, even though yours is perfectly fine.

Believe it !
Kate - "I can't believe in 2008 we're still having these same discussions"

Truth NEVER changes!

and media/advertising has no effect, huh?
wow. no kidding...

Ian from N.B.
To say that television is to blame is perposterous. Face it, we're progressing as the human race, we've grown and come a long way, the 50's are gone. You cannot possibly believe that watching sex without consequences is the whole problem, I'll grant that it was probably an influence, but it's not the all-encompassing reason. We need better education for pre-teens showing the positive and negatives of teenage pregnancy and sexual protection. These things are way of life now, sex sells like nothing else and pine all you want for the good ol' days, they're dead and nothing will bring them back.

The older generation has been slow to realize this. I'm 19 and the information that I recieved in grade 8 was woefully inadequate, the high schools did a much better job. However, by then it may be too late for some people. Complain all you desire, but I've been there and seen that and I'm saying it needs a change and not scapegoats. Parents need to start talking to your children and start reinforcing the message earlier on than before. The old days of turning the TV off and saying to Suzie and Johnny "Sex is bad, don't do it" is over. Adapt or get left behind.

Mary
I am fairly young and i know a lot of people who are pregnant. But it cant be blamed on tv. These shows may encourage kids to have sex, but these shows are also encouraging safe sex. I am not pregnant now because i listened in health class and my mom and i were open about birth control and she provided me with protection and communication. the problem isnt tv, its that children are afraid to go some where for help. If parents wouldnt get mad at them for having sex, then they wouldnt get pregnant, because they would go somewhere for protection

Tony
wow it took research to find that out eh! LOL monkey see monkey do eh! Its not that hard to figure out. Why do parents let there kids watch the stuff?? hmmmm?

Joey
Ban TV!

Sahib Reginawale
We need more sexy shows in Canada to boost the population growth rate. A bigger population => a larger tax base => more revenues => more scope to cut taxes => more personal disposable income => more spending => a higher GDP => an expanding economy => still more revenues => more tax cuts and the cycle continues.

Ken Young
It's a bit of which came first the chicken or the egg.

Are they pregnant because they like to watch sexy shown or are they watching sexy shows because they are pregnant.
There is only one truth here and that is if they had been watching sexy shows instead of playing house they never would have become pregnant.

Children model their parents values (or lack)
"Parents need to start talking to your children and start reinforcing the message ...."

What message?

...that it's acceptable for emotionally immature teems to engage in sexual intercourse?

or..thats it's appropriate to wait until these emotionally immature teens grow up into adulthood before falling to peer pressure and worldly values to have sex before its time?

It seems the message will depend on where the parents are at.

tired of stupidity
With all the other issues going on the world and this was the best thing that somebody decided to spend money on! ....Why don't we start doing studies...into matters of greater importance such as how to provide a more stable life for our veterans and the aging population so that they are not living below the poverty line.

BC Conservative
Twelve years ago the Surgeon general of the States, Jocelyn Brothers, suggested that teenage girls be taught how to masturbate so they didn't have to turn to boys for sexual release. She was hounded out of office by the Christian right, who claimed that she was attacking the purity of young girls.

Aside from the silliness of assuming that teenage girls need to be taught how to masturbate, Brothers was at least trying to deal with the problem in a logic way. Doing studies that "prove" that kids who watch TV will have sex more often does little but enforce stereotypes about kids and the power of television.

Posters who talk about instilling family values are right, but that needs to be supplemented by birth control advice and contraceptive availability, long before we start censoring our TVs.

B. Kelley, Ontario
The problem is that TV depicts sexual activity in unrealistic, fanciful terms designed to "sell" their programs. That approach also "sells" susceptible minds on the fallacy that one can jump from bed to bed without protection and without consequences. Parents are still the best source of moral and practical education.