Younger generations are reshaping the narrative in movies and TV shows, and a recent UCLA study sheds light on their evolving preferences in media content.
The study, which involved interviews with 1,500 individuals aged 10 to 24, revealed some intriguing insights. Notably, when asked about the necessity of sex in entertainment plots, 47.5% of those between the ages of 13 and 24 expressed that it wasn’t required.
Furthermore, a significant percentage (44.3%) expressed a desire to see less romance on screen and, interestingly, more content centered around platonic friendships (51.5%).
In a revealing video linked to the survey, 16-year-old respondent Ana shared her perspective: “When there’s media with too much sex, me and my friends often feel uncomfortable,” she noted. Ana emphasized, “I feel that it is way too graphic.”
The survey also quoted pop star Olivia Rodrigo, who conveyed her disinterest in watching the HBO series “The Idol.” Olivia highlighted her preference for movies that are female-centered without being overly sexual or focused on pain and trauma.
Yalda T. Uhls, the Director of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers and co-author of the study, explained, “While it’s true that adolescents want less sex on TV and in movies, what the survey is really saying is that they want more and different kinds of relationships reflected in the media they want.”
This study underscores a shifting landscape in the entertainment industry, with the younger generation advocating for more diverse and meaningful relationships in the content they consume.