by Carolyn Teasley

Created on: July 07, 2008

Is There Too Much Sex on TV?

The answer to this question is a definite yes. When you have to monitor even the daytime shows when the little ones are up, that is too much! I learn this from personal experience that occurred about ten years ago. My five year old son was walking through the living room after getting a drink from the kitchen when he glanced at the television. I had just turned on my soap opera. Brian wanted to know what the couple was doing. As I focused on the show, I realized it implied they were in bed having sex. Needless to say, I thought up a quick response, not the truth. From that day on I decided to give up soap operas. It was becoming harder to tell who had slept with whom anyway.

There used to be a time period in the evenings that was labeled "Family Viewing Time". It ran from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Everything had to be run pass the censors before it could show on air. We still have censors, but their rules as to what is too explicit have become way too lenient these days. Sex used to be implied by a couple embracing and retiring to the bedroom. You had to use your imagination as to what went on. Not any more! The scene now includes the couple stripping, embracing and the actual motions of having sex. We are only spared seeing genitals and full frontal nudity of the woman's breasts. When did this become appropriate "Family Viewing Time"? Would you let your children fourteen and under sit and watch this? I sincerely hope not.

What happened to our code of morality most people used to live by? Have the television stations sold out? Sex sells is what is being implied in all types of shows from dramas to comedy. It even seems the reality shows are cashing in. Morality does not seem to be as important to family values on television as it once was. What kind of message are the television shows trying to send to our young children?

DVD rentals are becoming a substitute for family viewing. Even then the parents must check out the ratings as thoroughly as possible. What used to be rated PG, Parental Guidance, has now become closer to R, Restricted viewing. There are now DVD Rental Companies that clean up these movies and offer a true PG or G, General rated version.

In conclusion, my answer has been fully explained except for this final and most important reason. Sadly, the major television networks are more interested keeping their target audience, 18 to 35, entertained. Advertising dollars go to the demographic audience with the perceived most buying potential.

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