|
TV
Smarts
Included in
this month's learning activity are the following sections:
Note: Links on this page with the Portable Document Format icon
require
Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print them. You can download this free
software at: http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html
At the completion
of the activity, participants will be able to:
- explain how sexual messages from TV may contribute to teen pregnancy,
and
- identify three strategies to prevent being negatively influenced by
TV's sexual messages.
30 minutes
- Blackboard and chalk (or equivalent) for recording the youths' ideas
- Sex
and TV Quiz
- Make copies of the Sex and TV Quiz for each youth.
-
Introduce the Activity
Explain to the youth that the activity is about sex and TV.
Tell them they will take a quiz. They should do their best on the quiz,
but they are not expected to know the right answers. After the quiz, they
will be given the correct answers and then discuss what these answers
mean to them.
- Have
Youth Complete the Quiz
Allow 5-10 minutes for youth to complete the quiz. Share correct answers
to the quiz. Encourage the youth to make note of the correct answers.
- Discuss the Quiz Results
Lead a discussion using the following questions.
- Which answers
are surprising to you? Explain.
- What kind
of sexual messages do we receive from TV shows and commercials?
Possible responses might be:
- Everyone has sex.
- It's normal
for teens to have sex.
- People
just have sex. They don’t need to think about it or prepare
for it first.
- It’s
okay to have with someone you just met.
- It's okay
to have sex without birth control or STI protection.
- It is important
to be sexy.
- Why do you think so many Americans believe that TV contributes
to teen pregnancy?
- Do
you believe TV contributes to teen pregnancy for some youth? Explain.
Record answers to the following questions on the board for reinforcement.
- What can producers of TV shows
do differently to help decrease teen pregnancy or at least avoid
contributing to teen pregnancy?
- What can
you and your friends do so you are not negatively influenced by
TV’s sexual messages? In other words, how can you be TV smart?
Possible responses might be:
- Watch less
TV (substitute another fun activity for TV).
- Discuss
how unrealistic some of the situations on TV are with friends.
- Discuss
how you want your relationships to be with friends.
- Rewrite
in your head unrealistic or unhealthy TV situations.
- Remind
yourself that TV is not reality.
- Remind yourself
that using an advertised product will not make you sexier.
- When watching TV, look for
positive and healthy messages about sex.
Conclude the discussion by asking youth to choose one or two of the
TV smart strategies that they will do for the next week. Have two to
three youth share which strategies they chose.
- Summarize the Activity
Thank the youth for their participation. Encourage them to protect
themselves from TV's negative sexual messages by using their TV smart
strategies. Offer the youth a final reminder that TV is not real, but
their lives are!
top
Home
| Index |
Topic in Brief | Evidence-Based Programs
Skills for Educators | Skills
for Youth | Current Research
Library | Statistics
| Theories & Approaches |
Links |
Professional Credits | Learning Activity | Forums
| Archives
|
