Trends of sexual and violent content by gender in top-grossing U.S. films, 1950-2006
- PMID: 22727080
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.02.006
Trends of sexual and violent content by gender in top-grossing U.S. films, 1950-2006
Abstract
Purpose: Because popular media such as movies can both reflect and contribute to changes in cultural norms and values, we examined gender differences and trends in the portrayal of sexual and violent content in top-grossing films from 1950 to 2006.
Methods: The sample included 855 of the top-grossing films released over 57 years, from 1950 to 2006. The number of female and male main characters and their involvement in sexual and violent behavior were coded and analyzed over time. The relationships between sexual and violent behavior within films were also assessed.
Results: The average number of male and female main characters in films has remained stable over time, with male characters outnumbering female characters by more than two to one. Female characters were twice as likely as male characters to be involved in sex, with differences in more explicit sex growing over time. Violence has steadily increased for both male and female characters.
Conclusions: Although women continue to be underrepresented in films, their disproportionate portrayal in more explicit sexual content has grown over time. Their portrayal in violent roles has also grown, but at the same rate as men. Implications of exposure to these trends among young movie-going men and women are discussed.
Copyright © 2012 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Similar articles
-
Violent film characters' portrayal of alcohol, sex, and tobacco-related behaviors.Pediatrics. 2014 Jan;133(1):71-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-1922. Epub 2013 Dec 9. Pediatrics. 2014. PMID: 24323997
-
Trends in explicit portrayal of suicidal behavior in popular U.S. movies, 1950-2006.Arch Suicide Res. 2011;15(3):277-89. doi: 10.1080/13811118.2011.589748. Arch Suicide Res. 2011. PMID: 21827317
-
An evaluation of the Motion Picture Association of America's treatment of violence in PG-, PG-13-, and R-rated films.Pediatrics. 2005 May;115(5):e512-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2004-1977. Pediatrics. 2005. PMID: 15867016
-
Do Sex and Violence Sell? A Meta-Analytic Review of the Effects of Sexual and Violent Media and Ad Content on Memory, Attitudes, and Buying Intentions.Psychol Bull. 2015 Sep;141(5):1022-48. doi: 10.1037/bul0000018. Epub 2015 Jul 20. Psychol Bull. 2015. PMID: 26191956 Review.
-
Portrayal of gay characters in Bollywood cinema.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2015;27(5):455-9. doi: 10.3109/09540261.2015.1086320. Epub 2015 Nov 4. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2015. PMID: 26535451 Review.
Cited by
-
Young People's Voices and Science for Overcoming Toxic Relationships Represented in Sex Education.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 11;19(6):3316. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063316. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022. PMID: 35329005 Free PMC article.
-
Positive and Negative Themes Depicted in Combat-Related Sports Films.Glob Pediatr Health. 2019 May 3;6:2333794X19847027. doi: 10.1177/2333794X19847027. eCollection 2019. Glob Pediatr Health. 2019. PMID: 31106245 Free PMC article.
-
Association Among Television and Computer/Video Game Use, Victimization, and Suicide Risk Among U.S. High School Students.J Interpers Violence. 2021 Mar;36(5-6):2282-2305. doi: 10.1177/0886260518760020. Epub 2018 Mar 5. J Interpers Violence. 2021. PMID: 29502506 Free PMC article.
-
How Patterns of Learning About Sexual Information Among Adolescents Are Related to Sexual Behaviors.Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2018 Mar;50(1):15-23. doi: 10.1363/psrh.12053. Epub 2018 Feb 20. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2018. PMID: 29461684 Free PMC article.
-
"SPORTS ARE FUN": A Guide for the Discussion of Sport-Related Films.Glob Pediatr Health. 2019 Jul 7;6:2333794X19860657. doi: 10.1177/2333794X19860657. eCollection 2019. Glob Pediatr Health. 2019. PMID: 31312676 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
