Wrong Views of Sexuality

The media not only distorts sexual realities but it also cultivates feelings of inadequacy among teen viewers. … First, the media communicates that the value of a person is primarily his or her physical attractiveness.  We are bombarded with a constant parade of beautiful women, which gives teenage firs a very unrealistic standard by which to judge their own attractiveness.  I hope that most of us realize that the media’s beauty standard is not a normal one.  What’s more, it’s constantly changing.  For a time, large breasts were the standard.  Sometimes the emphasis has been on a woman’s legs.  A few years ago Farrah-Fawcett-styled hair was the desirable.  Then tight fashion jeans were the “in thing” with emphasis on the buttocks.  It’s ridiculous.

Think what that does to the average young person.  Many a young woman has a totally distorted sense of self-worth.  If by comparison to the latest standards of physical beauty she is not attractive, she sees herself asa without worth or value, which results in tremendous feelings of inadequacy.

The young male is also affected.  He develops totally unrealistic ideas about a woman’s true beauty.  Why do most men place physical attractiveness above all other considerations when they seek relationships with the opposite sex?  Because of the media, of course.  All the male heroes on TV have “beautiful women.” . . . 

Sad to say, most young people, even from church families, have not learned about their sexuality in church.  Even a greater tragedy, most did not learn about their sexuality at home.  They have learned it from television, movies, and music.  Those are three great influences on teens.

Josh McDowell and Dick Day, "Why Wait?" p.44, 45