Raunch or romance? Framing and interpreting the relationship between sexualized culture and young people's sexual health

The increase in exposure to sexually explicit material has been cited as a significant factor influencing adolescent sexuality and health. Concern about the negative impact of this material is increasingly prominent within policy, professional groups, and the media. Little research, however, has been conducted within this area. This article presents findings from my research, which is located at the intersection of public health, sociology, media and cultural studies. It explores young people's perspectives of sexuality, sexual identity and health within the context of sexualized culture and examines how young people discuss these issues, providing a critical account of young people's engagement with, and experiences of, sexualized culture as ‘agents’ in their own right. My findings are set against historical debates about the nature and impact of sexualized culture and the development of sexual health policy in the United Kingdom.