The media and other agents of socialization as youths’ sources of knowledge about sexuality Cover Image

Rola mediów i innych agend socjalizacji jako źródła wiedzy młodzieży o seksualności
The media and other agents of socialization as youths’ sources of knowledge about sexuality

Author(s): Maria Woźniak
Subject(s): Education, Media studies, Social Norms / Social Control
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: cultural scenarios; sexual scripts; sexuality education; media; adolescents;

Summary/Abstract: The discourse on sexual education expresses great diversity of norms, beliefs, and attitudes towards sex and is dominated by the voices of adults who belong to the political and symbolic elites (i.e., politicians, teachers, clergy). Thus, the opinions of young people, which often reflect authentic personal and generational needs, are too often ignored. What is more, research shows that parents often seem to avoid discussions regarding sexuality with their children, ceding the responsibility to educate young people on the school. However, evaluations of how "introduction to family life" curriculum is implemented suggest that it is often conducted on an unsatisfactory level. Consequently, young people are forced to acquire and verify information about sexuality on their own. Based on individual in depth interviews this analysis refers to chosen sources from which young people obtain knowledge about sexuality. The article focuses on one of such sources: the media (including the Internet). It aims also to discuss young people's ambivalence towards self-acquired knowledge about sexuality.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 10
  • Page Range: 1-15
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish