Citation

Johnston Polacek GNL, Rojas V, Levitt S, Mika VS. Am. J. Sex. Educ. 2006; 1(4): 51-69.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J455v01n04_05

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Little is known about Hispanic teens' sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors and their relationship to media influences. Information about this relationship could contribute to an understanding of the early onset of sexual behavior and early teen pregnancy. This paper reports preliminary findings from a pilot project conducted to determine local Hispanic adolescents' use of media and describe their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors regarding sexual activity. Five focus groups were conducted (n = 24); ages ranged from 14 to18. The focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed to identify emergent themes. Analyses revealed that participants received an inordinate amount of sexual information from television, music, and magazines. The teens admitted that sex in the media desensitized them to risks of, and increased their perceived pressure for participating in sexual activity. To create more effective sexuality education programs, media influences, the language of sex, and ethnic- and gender-specific perceptions of sex need to be considered.