Sexually Explicit Material

and Adolescent Sexual

Health
A Cause for concern?

Clare Bale
PhD student, University of Sheffield
clare.bale@btinternet.com
Background and
context.....
Rates of diagnoses of uncomplicated genital chlamydial
infection by sex and age group, GUM clinics, United
Kingdom: 1997 - 2006

Males Females
1400 <16 1400
Rate per 100,000 population

16-19
1200 20-24 1200
25-34
1000 35-44 1000
>44
800 800

600 600

400 400

200 200

0 0
19

19

19

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

19

19

19

20

20

20

20

20

20

20
97

98

99

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

04

05

06
Routine GUM clinic returns

09/06/2009 Sexually Transmi tted Infections, HPA Centre for Infections 2

clare.bale@btinternet.com
“The positive media coverage of
celebrity behaviour involving sex,
drugs and alcohol acts as an
encouragement to young people “
(p8) (my emphasis);
 
“the power of commercial marketing,
advertising and merchandising of
alcohol and various products that use
lifestyle, imagery and language to get
their message across to their
audience. These messages are being
received at a very early age” (p14).
“Consider the effect of young girls’
magazines that portray young girls
as sexual objects, and the marketing
of ‘sexualised’ dolls to girls as young
as 3 years of age” (p20).(my
emphasis)
 
“ An increasing number of young
people experiment with sex, drugs
and alcohol. The irony is that
endorsement of this behaviour -
whether by explicit or subliminal
“ (we) need to reconsider the
messages young people receive -
often subliminally - that it is
acceptable to engage in both
inappropriate and sexual
behaviour “ (p4) (my emphasis)
There is an association between pornography viewing
and having engaged in oral and anal intercourse
(Hammaaren & Johansson 2001, Tyden et al 2001,
Haggstrom-Nordin E et al 2005).

Pornography viewing is cited as being closely related

with sexual risks among adolescent and youth (Steele,
J. R., 1999 and Wang S 2000 cited in Hong et al 2007).

(Pornography) It is argued to fuel distorted views of

male and female sexuality, violate notions of freedom
and justice, which in turn may lead to sexual
objectification of women (Wallmyr & Welin 2006)
(sexual) violence against women (Rogela & Tyden
2003) and children (Langevin & Curnoe 2004).

clare.bale@btinternet.com
 Given appropriate information and services,
young people will behave responsibly and well
(Friedman 1992)

Risky behaviour = having more

than one partner in one’s
lifetime (Peter & Valkenburg 2006)

If boys learn during these

formative years that women are
sexual objects, only to be used
for sexual satisfaction, it may
result in unhealthy and
unrealisitic sex role
expectations (Wallmyr and Wellin 2006 p 294)
“Sexual health is the integration of
the somatic, emotional,
intellectual, and social aspects of
sexual being, in ways that are
positively enriching and that
enhance personality,
communication, and love” (WHO
1975).
 Sexual health is a state of physical,
emotional, mental and social well-being
in relation to sexuality; it is not merely
the absence of disease, dysfunction or
infirmity. Sexual health requires a
positive and respectful approach to
sexuality and sexual relationships, as
well as the possibility of having
pleasurable and safe sexual
experiences, free of coercion,
discrimination and violence. For sexual
health to be attained and maintained,
the sexual rights of all persons must be
respected, protected and fulfilled”
RCN 190908 clare.bale@btinternet.com
RCN 190908 clare.bale@btinternet.com
 Research topic, Aims and
Objectives....
• To provide an authentic account of young
people’s engagement with, and
experiences of, sexualised culture as
‘agents’ in their own right.
• To explore the spaces where young people
discuss/consider these issues.
• To explore young people’s perspectives of
sexuality, sexual identity and health within
the context of sexualised culture.
 Emerging
themes..................
• Humour
• Transgression
• Age differentiation
• Other
• Moral propritary
 Challenges...............
• Authenticity – seeking a truth? (external
validity)
• Ethics
– Recruitment
– ‘High risk’ group
– Consent
– Confidentiality
• Use of web 2 technology (Practicalities)
• Timing – young people centered
• Responsible theoretical analysis