Formal versus informal sources of sex education: competing forces in the sexual socialization of adolescents.

Abstract

This paper points out some of the limitations of formal sex education especially when contrasted with the influence of informal sources. It also examines some of the plausible reasons for the lack of success of sex education and reviews literature which suggests that the informal sources of sexual socialization especially television may dilute the impact of school programs. The new sex education of the 1970s and 1980s is characterized by the impartial teaching of factual information nonjudmental discussion and values clarification. The purpose is to promote healthy sexual relationships encourage responsible decision making and reduce the incidence of unintented teenage pregnancies and sexually trasmitted diseases. Very young teens may be too cognitively immature to engage in the logical premeditated thought process necessary for sexual behavior responsibility. The sexual socialization process is very complex and is influenced by many factors other than classroom instruction. The major sources of informal sex education--parents and television--have increased in importance as sexual information sources. Studies show that young people spend more time watching television than participating in any other activity except sleeping. More importantly heavy television viewers tend to believe that what they see on television represents reality; television may play a very influential role in sexual socialization. The National Federation for Decency reports that on prime time television 89% of all sex is presented outside of marriage. When evidence from studies of social learning and observational learning is related to sex on television the results will show that young people are influenced by the sexual behavior of their favorite characters. Sexuality educators must recognize that their brief and frequently remedial programs cannot in isolation counteract the barrage of negative sexual messages from negative sexual models; in order to enhance responsible adolescent sexual behavior parents and educators need to consider informal sources and deal with them constructively.