Are Men Influencing What We See On Television?

       We live in a world dominated by men and in the media industry, this is no exception. Men manipulate the jobs in front of and behind the camera. As a matter of fact, when looking at the word “manipulate”, focus on the first three letters.  How interesting!  Does this dominance affect what is produced for viewing and how it is viewed? I believe the answer to this question is yes. The article titled, The Effects of Sex in Television Drama Shows on Emerging Adults’ Sexual Attitudes and Moral Judgments, by Keren Eyal and Dale Kunkel examines the “effects of exposure to differentially valenced consequences of premarital sexual intercourse” (Eyal 162).

       This research supports the other findings that have been obtained in previous studies. There is more sex on television and as a result, premarital, sexual intercourse is being viewed as acceptable. Previously, it has been discussed that males are not held to the same standards as females in the commission of acceptable sexual acts. In discussion, it has been determined that, it is more tolerated for a male to have multiple sexual partners, whereas when a female considers this idea, it is frowned upon. Males control the media industry as do their sexual ideas and philosophies. According to the Hollywood Diversity Report released in 2014 by the University of California Los Angeles, both as directors and lead actors, men are more successful Oscar winners than females.

       Concepts that are appropriate for males to say and do, surface during production of films and television shows. Males, in general, have the ability to be accepted regardless of the vulgar language they use and the sexual ideas and philosophies they have. The image below depicts the different words and phrases commonly used in social media. There is an obvious difference as to what is acceptable and common in men versus women. Since males have a much higher tolerance for what is acceptable in the media, I feel more inappropriate behavior from them is acceded to. Subsequently, there are more male producers than female producers, resulting in a additional sexually explicit media. Therefore, the sexual media that is being produced in this industry can influence us as viewers, either in a negative or positive way, depending on our individual morals and values.

Citation

Bunche,  R. (2014). 2014 Hollywood Diversity Report: Making Sense of the Disconnect, 1-36.

Eyal, K. Kunkel, D. (2008). The Effects of Sex in Television Drama Shows on Emerging Adults’ Sexual Attitudes and Moral Judgments. Pediatrics, 122-181.