Sexuality has become more and more present in the media. Along with this presence, come two distinct messages that are often incongruent. Television, movies, and music all portray sexuality as spontaneous, natural, animalistic, and passionate in nature. On the other hand, commercials and messages through other mediums such as the news promote sexual preparedness, responsibility, and awareness about sexuality and the effects of intercourse, both positive and negative.
In film, sexuality is rarely planned. Especially between young unmarried individuals. The television show "Scrubs" provides an excellent example. Both the protagonist, J.D, and his best friend/love interest, Elliot, encounter spontaneous forays of sex and sexual activity in places that do not typically indicate planning of
such activates. While one could assume "Hey, these two characters are doctors, they probably know how to be safe when it comes to sex", in most cases, evidence of this is not present, so it must be assumed that they do not. This is also the case in the television show "House". Two colleagues, Chase and Dr. Cameron have unplanned and spontaneous sexual intercourse at work and other public places before their relationship becomes public and official. The secretive nature of their sexual relationship, coupled with the fact that at different times they both resent and attempt to resist the sexual acts together would indicate that they for the most part do not show up to work with a couple condoms in their pocket. This theme of spontaneous and passionate sex resonates throughout television and media, especially in reality television. On the latest season of the Real World, which takes place in Hollywood, most of the characters up to this point in the season have participated in sex with one another or with visitors to the house. Purely by the nature of these rendezvous, which typically take place after a long night of drinking, it must be assumed that they are truly spontaneous and unplanned in nature.
On the other hand, through commercials, support for protected and more responsible sexuality is strongly supported on every front imagined. A common proponent, not surprisingly, is the Trojan condom company. In their most recent commercial, they present a bar full of a few beautiful women, and a whole lot of pigs. Literally. All the women seem to be disgusted with the attempts by the pigs to seduce them. One pig traverses to the bathroom and retrieves a Trojan condom from the machine, and returns to the bar as a handsome young man that is able to swoon the same woman quickly. This indicates that not only is it desirable for men to be prepared for sex, but it is disgusting to attempt sexuality without being prepared with a condom. Another ad ran on MTV shows a boy and a girl sneaking off from their dance in to a nearby closet. They begin making out but the girl starts nervously expressing her question of whether or not he plans on wearing a condom. In his response, he feverently tells her that he never has sex without one and that any common excuse not to wear one is foolish. Both of these commercials provide a very valuable but incongruent message to other mediums, ironically even on the very same channel.
In film, sexuality is rarely planned. Especially between young unmarried individuals. The television show "Scrubs" provides an excellent example. Both the protagonist, J.D, and his best friend/love interest, Elliot, encounter spontaneous forays of sex and sexual activity in places that do not typically indicate planning of
such activates. While one could assume "Hey, these two characters are doctors, they probably know how to be safe when it comes to sex", in most cases, evidence of this is not present, so it must be assumed that they do not. This is also the case in the television show "House". Two colleagues, Chase and Dr. Cameron have unplanned and spontaneous sexual intercourse at work and other public places before their relationship becomes public and official. The secretive nature of their sexual relationship, coupled with the fact that at different times they both resent and attempt to resist the sexual acts together would indicate that they for the most part do not show up to work with a couple condoms in their pocket. This theme of spontaneous and passionate sex resonates throughout television and media, especially in reality television. On the latest season of the Real World, which takes place in Hollywood, most of the characters up to this point in the season have participated in sex with one another or with visitors to the house. Purely by the nature of these rendezvous, which typically take place after a long night of drinking, it must be assumed that they are truly spontaneous and unplanned in nature.
On the other hand, through commercials, support for protected and more responsible sexuality is strongly supported on every front imagined. A common proponent, not surprisingly, is the Trojan condom company. In their most recent commercial, they present a bar full of a few beautiful women, and a whole lot of pigs. Literally. All the women seem to be disgusted with the attempts by the pigs to seduce them. One pig traverses to the bathroom and retrieves a Trojan condom from the machine, and returns to the bar as a handsome young man that is able to swoon the same woman quickly. This indicates that not only is it desirable for men to be prepared for sex, but it is disgusting to attempt sexuality without being prepared with a condom. Another ad ran on MTV shows a boy and a girl sneaking off from their dance in to a nearby closet. They begin making out but the girl starts nervously expressing her question of whether or not he plans on wearing a condom. In his response, he feverently tells her that he never has sex without one and that any common excuse not to wear one is foolish. Both of these commercials provide a very valuable but incongruent message to other mediums, ironically even on the very same channel.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJjtQrfY0yU MTV Condom Ad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6krr40mdHM Trojan Condom Ad
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