Project 4

Methods

The research for this study included a 20 question Qualtrics survey that was distributed through the CCGA D2L homepage and CCGA student page. Only students ages 18-24 attending the College of Coastal Georgia were allowed to participate. Data was reviewed, cleaned up, and checked for full completion of the survey. After filtering, 9 of the 46 responses were from participants over the age of 24. 1 of the 46 responses was from a participant not attending the College of Coastal Georgia. These responses were filtered out, leaving 36 completed surveys matching the desired project requirements.

Our survey aimed to represent all demographics, genders, and sexual orientations at the College of Coastal Georgia. The results for the 36 participants’ race or ethnicity found that 86% of participants were White or Caucasian, 2.7% were Black or African American, 5.5% were Asian or a Pacific Islander, and 5.5% were Hispanic or Latino. As for age, 16.6% of participants were 18, 25% were 19, 11% were 20, 22% were 21, 19.4% were 22, 2.7% were 23, and 2.7% were 24. The gender identity of the participants was 58.3% female, 27.7% male, 11.1% non-binary, and 2.7% selected other, specifying genderfluid. For sexual orientation, 55.5% of participants were Heterosexual/Straight, 22.2% Bisexual, 8.3% Pansexual, 8.3% Asexual, 5.5% Other, specifying Queer/Asexual.

Results

The data is from a survey created in Qualtrics. This survey consisted of 20 questions to help determine the awareness and opinions of participants about teenage representation in movies.

Discussion

This study shows that overall, young adults at the College of Coastal Georgia are aware of teenage representation in movies, and the potential impacts it could have on young viewers. Over 50% of participants can recall seeing teens use drugs and alcohol in movies, have noticed stereotypical portrayals of teenagers, and recognize potential impacts on young viewers. A majority of participants are aware that teen life in movies is not an accurate representation of real life, and that it could cause repercussions in the lives of young developing people. Because young viewers do not have the “cognitive skills that allow them to critically analyze messages from the media” they are a population that is especially at risk for struggling with intimacy, relationships, developing social skills, and substance use later in life (Dajches et al. 578).

There have been “multiple studies (that) conclude the messages children learn about sex and relationships through popular mass media sources can have a lasting effect in shaping their sexual identities, and opinions and attitudes toward personal and intimate relationships” (McGoldrick 3). One study lasting six years with over 1,000 participants showed that "participants with high exposure to sexual content in movies became sexually active at younger ages, were less likely to use protection and contraception, and had heightened levels of sensation seeking that stayed constant throughout their teenage years and early twenties" (O’Hara et al.). The research in this survey supports these studies. The most participants think being underwhelmed in real life events, struggling with relationships and intimacy, and doing sexual acts to "fit in" with peers are possible impacts of the sexual representation of teenagers in movies.

The multi-billion-dollar movie industry is the reason for a spotlight on teenage sexuality, substance use, and social behavior in films geared towards a young audience. The portrayal of teenagers in film plays a vital role in social development of all young viewers, especially young males. This is because the "teen male has long been a movie marketer's prime target: willing to shell out cash at the box office and eager to devour crude humor and racy antics." Movies that incorporate "fraternal camaraderie, alcohol-fueled antics and female nudity" are "developed to engross, entertain, and socially teach male adolescent and teenage audiences" (McGoldrick 2). Companies like Motion Pictures are “not sensitive to the joint portrayal of violence and alcohol, sex, and tobacco related risk factors” (Bleakley et al).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the findings from our research and survey show that people are definitely aware of the teenage stereotypes seen in movies. The people that took part in our survey were of different gender, ages ,and ethnicity. This created good diversity for our topic questions that proved our overall awareness of the issue. The findings showed that the dipliction of sexual behavior and substance use by teenagers in movies is not a true representation of real life. This is revealed by the 64% of participants that answered that teens use drugs and alcohol less than in movies. Overall from our Qualtrics survey and our own research we were able to successfully bring awareness to the possible issues of teenage representation in movies.

Controlling the viewing content and promotion of positive healthy habits for teenagers are ways to stop the negative issues.

The movie industry does not care and must change.

Limitations

This study had a total of 36 responses, which is less than expected. Ideally the survey would have represented at least 100 participants. This would have allowed for a better representation of the race, gender, and sexual orientation of students attending the College of Coastal Georgia.

Future Research

In future research, I hope to bring higher awareness to the long-lasting impacts of teenage representation in film, and possibly re-direct film industry practices. I hope to gather a wider array of responses from younger teenagers (13-17) and young viewers (under 13). I would also like to gather more responses to accurately display the opinions and viewpoints of College of Coastal Georgia students.

Overall, I believe this survey highlighted CCGA young adult's awareness about teenage representation in movies. Hopefully the results can guide conversation about possible action plans to counteract the potential impacts on young viewers by the representation of teenagers in film.