Publications and Reports
Sex, Kids and the Family Hour: A Three Part Study of Sexual Content on Television
This report summarizes the data collected in three separate studies about sexual messages on television and the impact of those messages on children and families.
Children Now, December 1996.
Parents, Children & the Television Rating System
This survey asks parents and children about their knowledge, opinions and use of the TV ratings system. From the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Kaiser Family Foundation, May 1998.
Parents and the V-Chip
A survey of 1,000 parents of children ages 2-17, concerning TV, the V-Chip, and the TV ratings system.
Kaiser Family Foundation, May 1999.
Measuring the Effects of Sexual Content in the Media: A Report to the Kaiser Family Foundation
This report provides a history of the research on sexual content in the media, an overview of the methods available for studying the effects of media, a discussion of some of the difficulties in doing research on this topic, and specific recommendations for future research on the effects on young viewers of sexual content in the media.
Kaiser Family Foundation, May 1998.
Teens, Sex, and the Media
Information on sexual activity in the media.
Mediascope, March 2000.
Rating the TV Ratings: One Year Out
This study examines whether the ratings assigned to television shows accurately reflect their content, according to the guidelines developed by the industry. The study analyzes the level and intensity of violence, sex or adult language in a show as well as the context in which it was presented.
Kaiser Family Foundation, September 1998.
Sexual Activity on Daytime Soap Operas: A Content Analysis of Five Weeks of Television Programming
This study presents a "snapshot" of the sexual content on soap operas today. Katharine Heintz-Knowles examined 97 hours of programming from theten nationally televised soap operas between May 27 and June 28, 1996.
Kaiser Family Foundation, September 1996.
The Content of Television Talk Shows: Topics, Guests and Interactions
This is a study of 200 different television talk shows, looking at what issues are discussed, who the guests are and their reactions and participation.
Kaiser Family Foundation, November 1995.
Sex and the Mass Media
A comprehensive review of the existing research and literature on how sexuality is portrayed in the popular media today, including television, movies, and music.
Kaiser Family Foundation, September 1995.
Soap Operas and Sexual Activity
A study tracking and analyzing how sexual activity and messages related to contraception, unplanned pregnancy, and HIV prevention are communicated in several of the top-rated daytime soap operas.
Kaiser Family Foundation, October 1994.
A Summary of Sexual Messages in “Family Hour” Television
This recent study of prime time network television content considers the amount of sexual talk and content in programs and how it has changed over the years.
Parent News, January/February 1999.
Can the Mass Media Be Healthy Sex Educators?
Describes the media's role as sex educators.
Family Planning Perspectives, September/October 2000.
Sex on TV: A Biennial Report to the Kaiser Family Foundation
This study examines both the amount and the nature of television's sexual messages, paying special attention to references to such issues as contraception, safer sex, and waiting to have sex. The study looked at 1351 programs across ten different channels, representing broadcast, public, cable, independent, and premium channels.
Kaiser Family Foundation, February 1999.
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