Methodology

St Alphosus Theologate

Terence Wee C.Ss.R

Reading the Signs of Time – A Study on Sexually

Explicit English Television Programs: Its Evolution,
Its Impact, and the Challenge of Evangelization to a
Generation Accustomed to It

Submitted to Bro. Karl Gaspar C.Ss.R

Methodology TERENCE WEE

Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1

The Reality - History and Evolution............................................................................................ 2

Impact of Sexually Explicit Programs ......................................................................................... 5

Study Cases ................................................................................................................................ 9

i) Premarital Sex ..................................................................................................................... 9

ii) Promiscuity ........................................................................................................................ 9

iii) Relationship .................................................................................................................... 10

iv) Openness to Current Realities ........................................................................................ 10

Analyzing Sexually Explicit TV Programs from the Moral Point of View ................................. 11

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 13

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Figures
Figure 1. Revenue of Sexual Materials in 2006.......................................................................... 2
Figure 2: Percent of Shows with Sexual Content Over Time ..................................................... 4
Figure 3: Percentage of virgin initiating intercourse upon TV exposure ................................... 6
Figure 4: Condom Usage for 18-35 years old Catholics ............................................................. 7
Figure 5: Opinion Poll on Cohabitation Before Marriage for Catholics (2008) ......................... 7
Figure 6: Circumstances that Change the Species of the Object ............................................. 12

Tables
Table 1: Summary of Sexual Content on TV Over Time ............................................................. 4

Appendixes
Appendix A: 20 Most Viewed Television Programs By American Teens (2008) ...................... 15

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Reading the Signs of Time – A Study on Sexually Explicit English Television

Programs: Its Evolution, Its Impact, and the Challenge of Evangelization to a
Generation Accustomed to It
Terence Wee Chai Leng C.Ss.R

No one cares about virginity in this country, it went out of style in the 50’s,
and trust me baby, it ain’t making a comeback!
Gabrielle Solis, Desperate Housewives

But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the
one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you
love, well, that's just fabulous.
Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and The City
Introduction

It is no more a deniable fact that there is an increasing trend of sexually explicit

materials on television program1. Such programs boast to be in line with “status quo” and many
try to push the limits in the name of art and freedom of expression, but ultimately, for
increasing viewership and ratings. Teen dramas and day time operas are proliferated with
kissing, sex and even nude scenes, and more and more people are numb to such scenes and
take it as a norm.

In view of this trend, I would like to make an objective study of the development and
impact of such programs. The research aims not to make a judgemental conclusion but to
understand better the manner and effectiveness of the influence of these programs. In doing
so, I would like to explore the areas where we can turn this trend into aids instead of obstacle
for evangelization.

The research methodology begins with an overall understanding of the evolution and
development of sexually explicit TV programs. Following that, the issue will be studied from
various angles to provide better insight to the trends. Case studies will be presented to show

1
The sexually explicit programs referred here are those shown on normal network or cable television.
Although ‘sexually explicit programs’ can also refer to full fledge pornographic materials, they are not
the main concern or the target of study in this research.
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the various modes of impacts from these programs, and finally, the issue will be analyzed
through the paradigm of evangelization.

Effective evangelization requires us to read the signs of time. We can no longer deny
that such sexually explicit programs are here to stay and will only grow in exponential
proportion. Aside from condemning the trend, it would be high time that we look into ways of
effective education and positive usage of these materials. Can we find good out of evil? This
research aims to shed some light.

The Reality - History and Evolution

Human beings naturally tend towards sex2, and through centuries, various media have
pried on this basic human instinct either to extract financial gain from it, or to explore the limits
of our curiosity. The motivation towards this direction is not hard to analyze as many data
points out that sex sells. A recent research study indicated that sexual materials are billion
dollars businesses, as shown in Figure 1. 3

Revenue
Country Per Capita
(Billions)
China $27.40 $27.41
South Korea $25.73 $526.76
Japan $19.98 $156.75
US $13.33 $44.67
Australia $2.00 $98.70

UK $1.97 $31.84

Figure 1. Revenue of Sexual Materials in 2006

2
June Reinisch. The Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex: What You Must Know to be Sexually Literate.
(New York: St Martin's Press, 1990). 2.
3
Jerry Ropelato. "Internet Pornography Statistics." Internet Filter Review. (2008). http://internet-filter-
review.toptenreviews.com/internet-pornography-statistics.html (accessed August 30, 2008).
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For television programs in particular, sex has always been the most pursued subject of
all time. Viewers can never get enough of programs that explore the various facets of the
intriguing areas of romance and sex. However, gradually, the pursuits and approaches towards
the subject have also evolved. In the early ages of television programs, the topic of sex was
generally approached with tact and a touch of class. Most of the time, no sexually explicit
scenes were shown, and most of the ‘actions’ were inferred, leaving the viewers to imagine and
play out the un-shown scenes in their minds.

As time goes by, show’s producers and network executives began to test the limits of
expression by showing more and more sexual scenes explicitly.

In the 70’s, kissing scenes have been widely accepted. Along with that, references to
various notions such as pre-marital sex and contraception became more prevalent. By the 80’s,
more visually suggestive scenes were starting to emerge, and in many cases, sexual values such
as virginity, monogamy and faithfulness were taunted or indirectly ridiculed in most of the
shows. With the dawn of the 90’s, a new wave of ‘revolutionary’ shows started to appear.
These shows boast the freedom to explore the most intimate and secret sexual thoughts of
humans. In particular, the cable show “Sex and the City” became a phenomenon. It was the
show to break the rules and presented outright discussion and portrayal of sexual and
relationship matters. The series had been criticized by members of the religious right (such as
Morality in Media) due to the subject matter of the series revolving around what they consider
sexual immorality. 4

Following the show a whole new floodgate of series started to emerge, while sexual
scenes and direct referral to intimate sexual matters became proliferated in these shows.
Figure 2 shows the growth in sexually explicit shows (in percentage) from the 90’s to the resent,

4
Wikipedia. "Sex and the City." Wikipedia. (2008). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City
(accessed August 30, 2008).
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and Table 1 shows the frequency of sexual contents in the shows.5 A list of 20 most viewed TV
shows taken for this statistic is provided in Appendix A.

100
Shows with sexual contents (%)
80 70
64
60 56

40

20

0
1998 2002 2005
Year

Figure 2: Percent of Shows with Sexual Content Over Time

Table 1: Summary of Sexual Content on TV Over Time

5
Kunkel Dale and others. A Kaiser Famiy Foundation Report : Sex on TV 4. (Arizona: University of
Arizona, 2005). 21.
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Impact of Sexually Explicit Programs

The growth of sexually explicit programs have no doubt stamped a trail of social and
moral impacts on the viewers, especially the youth, who are the highest percentage group in TV
viewership6. Many studies and research groups had reported on the negative effects of such
programs. However, there were also some reports that were slow in placing a moral judgement
and try to study the impact from sociology point of view and even discuss on the possible
positive benefits of the trend.

Focus group such as Parents Television Council (PTC) has placed a great deal of effort in
putting out the message that sexual explicit contents on TV is way too virulent and degrade the
morals of the new generations. A recent study done by the PTC and RAND corporation
indicated that exposure to sexually explicit materials induces youth to engage in sexual
activities earlier, more often, and more loosely. As quoted “A study of 1792 adolescents ages
12-17 showed that watching sex on TV influences teens to have sex. Youths who watched more
sexual content where more likely to initiate intercourse and progress to more advanced
noncoital sexual activities in the year following the beginning of the study.” 7 Figure 3 indicates
the trend of virgins initiating intercourse base on different level of television exposure.

6
Readers might query on the role of censorship board preventing local viewers from accessing these
Americans and Europeans programs. However, due to the proliferation of means to attain such
materials, such as DVDs, internet TV and peer-to-peer sharing, it is fare to assume the availability of
these TV programs to local viewers.
7
Rebecca L Collins and others. "Watching sex on television predicts adolescent initiation of sexual
behavior." PEDIATRICS 114, no. 3 (September 2004): e280-e289.
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Figure 3: Percentage of virgin initiating intercourse upon TV exposure

In other studies, it was revealed that these TV programs undermine marriage by making
constant references to non-marital sex. They also trust a barrage of once taboo subjects such as
threesome, partner swapping, paedophile and prostitution, inciting the viewers to explore the
possibilities of these situations.8

A recent study on Catholics views of sexual matter in conjunction with 40 years

publication of Humane Vitae indicated that issues in concern now are no more sexual
abstinence or virginity, but the likes of usage of condoms for safe sex and cohabitation as
means to reduced rate of divorce. Figure 4 and Figure 5 indicate the fact of the staggering
number of Catholics who are using contraception and agrees to cohabitation9. These statistical
data indirectly points to the influence of media in particular TV programs.

8
Richard Huff. "Is it time for divorce ... with your TV set? Programs are anti-marriage - study."
NYDailynews. August 6, 2008. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/08/05/2008-08-
05_is_it_time_for_divorce__with_your_tv_set.html (accessed Septempber 1, 2008).

9
The Von Hügel Institute, St Edmund’s College, Cambridge University. "Sex and the modern Catholic."
The Tablet, 2008: 15.
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Comdoms usage
never use no
18% comment
1%

have used
would use
59%
22%

Figure 4: Condom Usage for 18-35 years old Catholics

Cohabitation Before Marriage

100 90
90
80
70 66
Percentage (%)

58
60 53
47
50 42
40 34 Yes
30 No
20 10
10
0
18-35 36-45 46-65 over 65
Age Group

Figure 5: Opinion Poll on Cohabitation Before Marriage for Catholics (2008)

On the other hand, certain studies such as Kaiser Family Foundation Report on ‘Sex on
TV’ portrait the reality of the situation and also provided the positive impact of the programs.

As we indicated at the outset of this study, there is increasing evidence that exposure
to sexual content on television is a significant contributor to many aspects of young
people’s sexual knowledge, beliefs, expectations, attitudes, and behaviors. In other
words, television plays a meaningful role in sexual socialization (Donnerstein & Smith,
2001; Gunter, 2002). Sexual socialization consists of learning the answers to such
questions as who it is appropriate to have sex with, when to have sex with someone,

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and what precautions, if any, are appropriate. There are many sources from which
young people gain their understanding of sexual norms, including parents, peers, and
schools. Yet television, as the predominant mass medium, also plays an important role
in the sexual socialization of America’s youth, providing stories that sometimes inspire,
often inform, and consistently contribute to the sexual views and behaviors of
adolescents and young adults. 10

As indicated, such shows can serve as useful means to introduce various topics in
relation to sex to the young generation in a very effective way. By doing so, the recipient is
empowered to take responsibility of their knowledge and make responsible choices. A study on
the effectiveness of conveying positive message through such programs demonstrated
extremely promising results.

A research conducted to find out the effectiveness of sending out the message of
condom safety in the popular TV series “friends” showed that 65% of teens who viewed the
show could positively recall the message and encouraged them to discuss about the issue. Up
to 10% of the teens discussed the matter with their parents later on. According to the Nielsen
Corporation, 1.67 million adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 saw this episode.
Therefore, the message was effectively conveyed to up to 1.08 million teens. 11

As discussed above, sexually explicit TV programs do produce a lot of social and moral
crisis. On the other hand, they also tend to be the best media for sex and moral education if
used in the proper manner. Following this, we will look into specific case studies, indicating
various aspects in which the TV programs touch on, and continue to search for a possible good
means to utilize these programs.

10
Kunkel Dale and others. A Kaiser Famiy Foundation Report : Sex on TV 4. (Arizona: University of
Arizona, 2005). 57.

11
Rebecca L Collins and others. "Entertainment television as a healthy sex educator: the impact of
condom-efficacy information in an episode of Friends." Pediatrics 112, no. 5 (September 2003): 1115-
1121.
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Study Cases

As we have seen from our discussion, various sexual issues have been portrait in TV
programs. Some issues were portrait in a negative light, while others conjure up a deeper
reflection of the viewer on the reality of things and empower the viewer to make a stand,
either for, against, or simply accepting the facts of reality. In the following sections, various case
studies will be presented on shows portraying different aspects of sexual content.

i) Premarital Sex
Of all the sexual issues brought up by TV programs, premarital sex is the one most common and
most taken for granted. Almost all shows portray the laxity of the common public on the virtue
of monogamy or abstinence before marriage. To quote a few programs, 3rd Rock from the Sun, a
sitcom regarding an alien family trying to experience all the different aspects of human life, had
constant reference on sex being able to fix everything, and every member of the family were
encouraged to experience it. The infamous Sex and the City shows 4 single women constantly
having sex with men and talking about it openly. In Desperate Housewives, character Gabrielle
Solis convinced her maid that she should give up her virginity as it is a thing of the past and is
not of any great concern anymore.

The portrayal of this aspect reflects the general view of the western and European culture, and
it strongly encourages and influences the new generation to view it in the same manner. In
most cases, no positive value is extractable from these depictions.

ii) Promiscuity
Recent shows premiering on TV are increasing in the commonality of showing sexual
promiscuity in the characters. In the pilot plot of Swingtown, a show premiering June 2008, a
new couple was invited for a neighbour’s party, and soon after the neighbour invited the couple
for a private ‘foursome fun’. In Californication, a new Showtime series, the main character is a
debauched writer who constantly hops into bed with psychotic women, one of whom happens
to be a teenage girl12. In Desperate Housewives, character Gabrielle Solis sleeps with many men

12
Joshua Alston. "Sex on TV: was it good for you?" Newsweek, (June 2008): 52-55.

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and do not show any sign of remorse for her actions. As a last citation, the show Secret Diary of
a Call Girl allows the viewer to peep into the mind of a call girl and presents a somewhat how-
to manual on how a lady becomes a tramp. Without saying, the main character in the show
sleeps around for money, and the unreserved portrayal of how the girl pleases her men is a
hard to resist lure for people to be drawn into accepting promiscuity as norm or at least be
more tolerable of it.

iii) Relationship
One of the most successful accomplishments of the TV programs is the portrayal of the
complexity of human relationship. Although exaggerating at times, these programs do paint an
unabashed picture of reality. Be it love relationship, friendship, family relationship, sexual
relationship, psychotic relationship, you name it, the TV programs had explored it. These
programs, although requiring of proper censorship and discerning selection, provide a rich pool
of resource for education in these area.

In particular, these programs speak out most effectively to the younger generation, and thus
serve as the best aid for education or means to bring out discussion on particular topics. Shows
such as Sex and the City explore the many facets of relationship and love which might seem
bold yet mostly true. F.R.I.E.N.D.S looks into friendship and relationship. Shows such as Brothers
and Sisters and Desperate Housewives at times shed light on complicated family relationships.
All in all, there can a multitude of opportunity to extract excerpts from these shows to shed
light or provide insights on aspects of relationships that could otherwise be difficult to discuss
or explore.

iv) Openness to Current Realities

Another positive aspect of the growth of sexually explicit TV programs is its shameless portrayal
of realities. Although done for the purpose to attract viewers’ attention, the producers have
diligently look into almost all realms of human and sexual relationship and presented them in a
most graphically exciting form possible. As such, sieving through the exaggeration and wow
factor of the shows, the materials presents a good study of societal behaviours and realities.

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As been mentioned, the show Sex and the City is a very good portrayal of the current views on
love and relationship. Shows such as Queer as Folks and The L Word explore the previously
taboo world of gay and lesbian relationship. Secret diary of a Call Girl looks into the world of
prostitutions and sexual play and fantasies. All of these, although seen as bad influence and too
explicit for some, do show the once shunt realities of our society, and could be used in a
positive light when utilized in a mature and intelligent manner.

Analyzing Sexually Explicit TV Programs from the Moral Point of View

Dealing with sexually explicit TV programs, one will ultimately come to a stand point or
realization that beyond all talks and arguments, such shows have fundamental ‘moral flaws’.
Going straight to the point, we could ask “Can we actually extract anything good out of
something that is fundamentally bad?”

To discuss this view in details would entail a lengthy and in depth look of moral views
and values, of which the scope would be beyond the boundaries of this report. However, a
simple yet well-founded approach could be applied by studying this issue through the
traditional moral view of St Thomas Aquinas’ presented in Summa Theologica.

In Book II question 18 of Summa Theologica, St Thomas discussed on the good and evil
of human acts. He noted the 3 elements that define an act to be good or evil, namely the act
itself (object), the end (intentions) and the circumstances. For a general rule, when any one of
these 3 elements is bad, the act is considered to be bad.

Taking this rule into account, one could easily argue that traditional moral view would
deem viewing sexually explicit TV programs to be bad, simply because the virtue of the act itself
(the TV program and the viewing of it) is bad.

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However, St Thomas also conferred an exception to this rule in Book II question 18

article 1013, as shown in a simplistic explanatory form in Figure 6.

Summa Theologica Book II, Question 18, Article 10

Circumstances that change the species of the object:

1) By their kinds (object) are good or bad. [accordance to reason]

Act
(species) 2) indifferent act [circumstances are decisive]

*While some circumstances only add "goodness" or "badness: to an act,

some can change the species of good and evil.

Eg Stealing (general) Stealing (to sustain life)

Object Bad Good
End Bad Good
Circumstances Neutral or bad Good

Figure 6: Circumstances that Change the Species of the Object

As shown in figure 6, there are certain circumstances that could change the species of
the object. Taking stealing as an example, the object (to steal), and the end (to obtain other’s
goods) are bad, and either one of these elements would deem the act to be bad. However, in a
special case in which one steals purely in order to sustain one’s life, then the end (to sustain
life) and the circumstances (life situation making this the only option) could in fact change the
species of the act (stealing) from generally bad to good.

Applying similar argument to the usage of sexually explicit TV programs for

evangelization use, the end (evangelization) and the circumstances (the reality that this is a
most effective means to reach out to the people) could in fact change the species of the object
and substantiate the act to be good.

To look at the matter in this view would only be one of the many moral perspectives14,
however, as mentioned, due to the limitation of the study, other views will not be touched on.

13
Thomas Aquinas . The Summa Theologica of St Thomas Aquinas. Translated by Fathers of the English
Dominican Province. Vol. II. (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1948). 670.

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Conclusion

Sexually explicit TV programs have truly flourished in our current world. Even with high
supervision and censorship, one could easily access such materials and explore their intricate
contents. Therefore, asides from prevention, it is high time we come to accept the reality that
these materials are present and are here to stay, and look for the best way to deal with them
and turn them to our benefit.

Without a doubt, these TV programs have produced a plethora of social and moral
issues in the society, especially in the younger generation. The constant portrayal of sexual
openness and moral laxity had seeped steadily into the minds of the modern viewers. The
concept of “norm” had changed dramatically over time. Talks of virginity and monogamy are
mostly seen as passé, good family values are challenged, and to have a young adult upholding a
so call ‘classical’ Christian moral stance is almost an abysmal losing battle.

Nevertheless, the presence of these materials does provide its values. As quoted clearly
in the Kaiser Family Foundation Report on ‘Sex on TV’:

Given television’s devotion to the topic of sex, there is no more salient context in which
to convey sexual risk or responsibility messages. The lack of attention afforded such issues
at best reduces the relevance of these concerns for viewers, and misses an opportunity to
provide a potentially beneficial perspective on television’s treatment of sexual themes
and topics.15

In the perspective of pastoral evangelization, to be effective one needs to first of all

change the stance from preventing to confronting. To prevent the young from exposure to
these materials is futile. Evangelizers are no more the voice to tell others what to do and what
no to do, but rather, to show them what is out there, and advice them on what is right and
wrong. We can no longer stop, but we can inform and guide. Thus, a good starting point in

14
For more references please see Anthony Kosnik. Human Sexuality, New Directions in Catholic Thought.
(London: Search Press, 1977). and Richard A McCormick, and Paul Ramsey, . Doing Evil to Achieve Good:
Moral Choices in Conflict Situations. (London: Loyola University Press, 1985).

15
Kunkel Dale and others. A Kaiser Famiy Foundation Report : Sex on TV 4. (Arizona: University of
Arizona, 2005). 60.
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reaching out to the youth of this generation is to inform of the reality with the aid of these
materials. Young adults of this post-modern era are people of information; therefore the ice-
breaking gesture would best be the admittance of these programs and invite for a sincere
dialogue.

Sexually explicit TV programs are also powerful tools to bring people to discuss on
modern perspectives and introduce views of morality. The shows serve as an abundance
resource for issues on relationships, sexual matters and personal problems, ranging from the
more common items like casual sex, contraception, to the more intricate ones like
homosexuality, sexual abuse and dysfunctional family relationships. Using the materials as a
launching pad, these issues could be tackled in a well accepted manner and reduce the barriers
of the listeners.

Ultimately, proper introduction of these shows could be configured as a form of

empowerment to the receiving audience. By openly discussing these shows and its contents, a
message is sent in saying that the receiving party is taken as mature thinking adults who have
the capability to make a choice and a stand. Reality is presented to them, the moral
implications are shown to them, the sincere advices are voiced out to them, and it is up to them
to take up the responsibility by acting and choosing the best outcome through their own
discerned, thought-through solutions. This might sound a risky move, but it also presents to be
a most respectful move for the new generation of mature thinkers.

As Carrie Bradshaw mentioned in Sex and the City, “the most exciting, challenging and
significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself”. If through the new influx of
sexually explicit TV programs, people can come to understand themselves better, and with the
aid of good evangelization, manage to view sexuality and relationship in a positive manner,
then in fact, the new trend might not be that bad after all.

The challenge, ultimately, would be, ARE WE READY TO BE A REVOLUTIONARY

EVANGELIZER?

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APPENDIX A:

20 MOST VIEWED TELEVISION PROGRAMS BY AMERICAN TEENS (2008)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Books:

Aquinas, Thomas. The Summa Theologica of St Thomas Aquinas. Translated by Fathers of the
English Dominican Province. Vol. II. New York: Benziger Brothers, 1948.

Collins, Raymond F. Sexual Ethics and the New Testament: Behaviour and Believe. New York:
The Crossroad Publishing Co., 2000.

Kosnik, Anthony. Human Sexuality, New Directions in Catholic Thought. London: Search Press,
1977.

McCormick, Richard A, and Paul Ramsey, . Doing Evil to Achieve Good: Moral Choices in Conflict
Situations. London: Loyola University Press, 1985.

Moore, Gareth. The Body in Context: Sex and Catholicism. London: SCM Press LTD, 1992.

Oraison, Mark. Learning to Love: Frank Advice for Young Catholics. New York: Deus Books, 1965.

Reinisch, June. The Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex: What You Must Know to be Sexually
Literate. New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.

Journal and Magazine Articles:

Alston, Joshua. "Sex on TV: was it good for you?" Newsweek, June 2008: 52-55.

Collins, Rebecca L, et al. "Watching sex on television predicts adolescent initiation of sexual
behavior." PEDIATRICS 114, no. 3 (September 2004): e280-e289.

Collins, Rebecca L, Marc N Elliott, Berry H Sandra, David E Kanouse, and Sarah B Hunter.
"Entertainment television as a healthy sex educator: the impact of condom-efficacy
information in an episode of Friends." Pediatrics 112, no. 5 (September 2003): 1115-
1121.

Dale, Kunkel, Keren Eyal, Keli Finnerty, Erica Biely, and Edward Donnerstein. A Kaiser Famiy
Foundation Report : Sex on TV 4. Arizona: University of Arizona, 2005.

Gallagher, Raphael. "Forty years after Humane Vitae?" Reality, July 2008: 18-20.

Lodge, David. "How far have we come?" The Tablet, July 2008: 16-17.

The Von Hügel Institute, St Edmund’s College, Cambridge University. "Sex and the modern
Catholic." The Tablet, 2008: 14-15.
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News Articles:

Anonymous. "Child sex clip shocker for parents." The Star (Malaysia), July 2008: p. N3.

Anonymous. "Sex photo duo plan comeback to showbiz." The Star (Malaysia), July 2008: p. E5.

Nepales, Ruben V. "'Sex and the City' star talks on coming out, breast cancer." The Inquirer, May
2008: p. E2.

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American Psychological Association. "Televised sex impairs memory for TV ads just like violence
does, according to a new study." ScienseDaily. June 19, 2002.
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9, 2008).

Curry, Erin. "reality TV programs more vulgar, sexually explicit than scripted shows, new study
finds." Baptist Press. June 28, 2004. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=18591
(accessed August 9, 2008).

Huff, Richard. "Is it time for divorce ... with your TV set? Programs are anti-marriage - study."
NYDailynews. August 6, 2008.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/08/05/2008-08-
05_is_it_time_for_divorce__with_your_tv_set.html (accessed Septempber 1, 2008).

Ropelato, Jerry. "Internet Pornography Statistics." Internet Filter Review. 2008. http://internet-
filter-review.toptenreviews.com/internet-pornography-statistics.html (accessed
August 30, 2008).

The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and
Reproduction. 2008. http://www.indiana.edu/~kinsey/index.html (accessed August 10,
2008).

Vanwesenbeeck, Ine. "Psychosexual correlates of viewing sexually explicit sex on television

among women in the Netherlands." Journal of Sex Research. November 2001.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2372/is_4_38/ai_84866958 (accessed August
9, 2008).

Wikipedia. "Sex and the City." Wikipedia. 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City

(accessed August 30, 2008).