Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Communication (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Communication

Advisor/Mentor

Warren, Ron

Committee Member

Amason, Patricia

Second Committee Member

Jennings, Freddie

Keywords

Content Analysis; Romantic Relationship; Television; Tween

Abstract

In the streaming era of entertainment, television programming is available at the touch of a fingertip to any pre-adolescent tween (those between the ages of 8-13) with a smartphone. Previous content analyses have examined romantic relationship content on television programming in a limited manner, covering mostly teen shows and sexual behavior, rather than tween shows and romantic relationship behavior. And so, despite the fact that tweens tend to use media as a socializing agent for learning acceptable romantic relationship norms, not much is known about how television programs likely watched by this age demographic are depicting romantic relationships. Therefore, it is crucial to learn more about what is being depicted to understand if the romantic relationship norms pre- and early adolescents might be learning from these depictions are healthy or unhealthy in nature. Based on television ratings (TV-PG and TV-14) and Common Sense Media’s age recommendation tool, a population of 11 television programs consisting of 326 episodes was identified, and 177 episodes were coded as a sample. The results indicated that there was a high amount of healthy romantic relationship language and behaviors depicted, including instances of flirting (both verbal and nonverbal), affectionate interpersonal touching, talk about liking or loving a person romantically, talk about building or maintaining a romantic relationship, and talk about romance in general. Other behaviors, such as kissing, were present less frequently and were often more present in television shows rated TV-14 as opposed to TV-PG. Romantic relationship language and behavior, both healthy and unhealthy, were more likely to appear in shows rated TV-14 as opposed to TV-PG. This content analysis provides evidence that romantic relationship language and behaviors are depicted in television shows likely consumed by tweens for those who want to study the context of these depictions further.

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