Example Of A Discussion Essay

Presently, the media are responsible for representing contradictory messages about sex, city and romance following the absence of effective sex education at home and in schools in the United States. Television shows illustrate images of oversexed and underdressed celebrities who display their well waxed private areas to paparazzi. Studies indicate that about 75% of television content is sexual while only 14% of this content includes disclosure of consequences of sexual activity or the need for contraception. The sexual messages on the media contradict the messages in the political and public health arena following the increase in teenage pregnancy, abortion, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. It has been concluded that what is shown in the media is largely impractical and unhealthy sexual behavior.
The famous must see series “Sex and the City” is an example of a sexually suggestive program illustrating a cultural paradigm where discussions about urban life, femininity and singlehood take place. First, the four female characters are independent, successful and single illustrating feminism as an accomplished and victorious agenda that does not need to be discussed anymore. However, they are not able to land a good man implying that there are certain aspects of their conduct that need to be adjusted for example, even though they have good careers they should still depend on a man. The obvious perception of sex, city and romance is that for a woman to get married, she must fall in love. Secondly, if a female is not wedded by the age of thirty-plus it becomes a discussion issue leading to panic. The media still advocates for heterosexual romance and women are in constant search of the type of relationships they see in magazines and television. On the issue of sex, women are illustrated as liberated and can have casual sex with no consequences thereafter. The four women can’t seem to get enough of talking about sex and other fetishes a discussion that has over the years considered to be a taboo for women. Advertisements seem to advocate smoking that is well know to cause cancer as opposed to condoms which prevent disease. Despite the sexually suggestive content, it is obvious that adolescents can learn a lot about sex roles: what does it mean to be successful or attractive? How should one behave around the opposite sex?
The dating culture has over the years transformed with no definitive rules of dating. However, it is universal that a relationship should be based on reciprocated values and interest since different people will keep disagreeing in many aspects of life. Furthermore, you are expected to be honest to your partner and include them in your personal and professional plans as the two of you are looking forward to be together in the long run. The media provides dating advices by illustrating women as submissive creatures who have to wait for the man’s approval in their endeavors citing the example of the reality television show “The Bachelor”. If a woman is successful and independent it becomes difficult to find a man to have an affiliation with. Rather than following what the society and the media are depicting about dating, I agree with the suggestion that an individual’s values should be their guide when it comes to dating. This follows the argument that the American media is the most irresponsible and sexually suggestive when it comes to human sexuality. Their views are not necessarily true as all the media is trying to do is sell virtually everything from lipstick to household furniture yet the national network remains reluctant to air ads for birth control merchandise.