Too much sex on television is becoming more and more of an issue for college students. According to recent study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 70 percent of television shows have some sexual content with a average of five sex scenes per hour.
Cynthia Pelak, an assistant sociology professor, said she agrees that the sexual images affect college students.
"Not only their behavior is affected, but the way they think about themselves," she said. "These images affect how they view themselves in this highly gendered and racial world."
Pelak said that when students see these images on television, they end up focusing too much on self-image.
"They spend too much time in front of the mirror as opposed to reading, learning and organizing," she said.
Students like Doug Pittman, a sophomore business major, said he agrees that there is too much sex on television, but not that it affects students.
"Sexual images on television don't affect how college students behave because it really just depends on their upbringing," Pittman said.
According to Pittman, sexual images on television are excessive, but it depends on the person whether or not that's a bad thing.
Pittman said some television shows are pretty materialistic.
"They're portraying carefree sex like it's something okay to do," Pittman said.
Other students like Tim Donahoo, a senior communications major, said he definitely feels that television shows make sexual activity seem more common.
"Shows make you numb to how important that stuff really is," Donahoo said.
Getting away from these images can be difficult because they are so prevalent.
"There's nothing else to watch unless you want to watch Saturday morning cartoons, and even then Jessica Rabbit is looking good in her outfit," Donahoo said.
The attractive characters make shows like "The OC" and "Desperate Housewives" more appealing to students, Donahoo said.
"The good-looking people caught my attention, but I stay for the story," he said.
Pelak said the problem is that people are making money off sex.
"It sells products," Pelak said. "We treat sex and sexuality in a non-sacred way because it is bottled, served and consumed."
