Risky Business: Sexual Risk and Responsibility Messages in Teen Sex Romps

Previous research on media effects has revealed a relationship between exposure to sexual content on screen and sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Highly sexual films targeting adolescent audiences may be particularly influential. Study 1 examined movies of the comedy subgenre of Teen Sex Romps (TSRs) in a quantitative content analysis. In particular, the frequency of sexual behavior, talk about sex, and risk and responsibility messages were analyzed. Findings revealed that messages related to sexual precaution appeared only once for every 10 instances of sexual behavior, and mentions of birth control occurred approximately once for every 17 conversations about sex. Using a cross-sectional survey design, study 2 examined the association between exposure to TSR films and participants’ attitudes toward casual sex and condom use. As predicted, exposure to TSR films was associated with more permissive sexual attitudes, more sexual behavior outside of romantic relationships, and less favorable attitudes towards condoms. Implications for questions of media influence and sexual health are discussed.