The Role of Television in Sex Education

Abstract

In the current century the power of the media, in other words the power of tools of public communication, cannot be denied. It can be stated that the most powerful 'of these tools is television. Television can be said to enter the lives of children and young people at very early stages. Additionally, it has been observed that news on television, soap opera, childrens' programs, advertisements, video clips, and talk shows may contain messages related to sex. That is why it has been thought that television has an impact on sexual development and education and a number of studies have been done to research its effects. In these studies some researchers have been defending the positive effects of television on sexual development while others have been defending the negative effects. Yet, in either case television is accepted to be effective on children's acquisition of sexual roles. It should not be ignored that owners of televisions, administrators, and directors of general broadcasting have responsibilities especially in countries like ours where the subjects related to sex are considered shameful, sinful or are banned.