A recent survey conducted by researchers at UCLA has revealed evolving entertainment preferences among Generation Z, with a shift away from steamy sex scenes and a growing interest in stories of platonic friendship.
The survey included 1,500 respondents aged 13 to 24 and indicated that 47.5% of Gen Zers consider sex scenes unnecessary for most TV shows and movies. Additionally, 44% of participants felt that romance is overused as a plot device in entertainment content.
What seems to resonate more with this generation is a desire for narratives centered on platonic friendships. A majority of respondents, 51.5%, expressed a preference for stories highlighting non-romantic relationships. Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, one of the study’s co-authors, emphasized that Gen Z seeks a wider and more diverse range of relationships in the media they consume, aiming to reflect the full spectrum of human connections.
The study also shed light on the loneliness epidemic affecting young people today, indicating that they turn to entertainment as a source of inspiration for the types of relationships they seek in real life. The study noted that adolescents today engage in less sexual activity than previous generations and are staying single for longer periods, potentially contributing to their interest in alternative narrative choices.
The research delved into other aspects of entertainment preferences, with 56% of participants favoring original content over franchise projects or remakes. An intriguing shift was noted in the results when compared to the previous year’s study. In 2022, most respondents preferred stories about “lives unlike my own,” while in 2023, they leaned more towards narratives that reflected “lives like my own.”
Furthermore, the survey showed changes in the preferred hero archetype. In 2022, the top choice was a “black man,” while in 2023, there was a preference for a “white man” as the hero. This transformation could be indicative of broader societal and cultural influences on the entertainment landscape.
The study’s author, Stephanie Rivas-Lara, who is also a Gen Z member, suggested that these findings might be tied to ongoing discussions among young people about the concept of community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She explained that, in an era characterized by concerns about climate change, pandemics, and global instability, adolescents are increasingly looking to media as a “third place” where they can connect and find a sense of belonging.
“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 watch,” Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, founder and director of CSS and co-author of the study, said.
— Hannah Jane Goulden (@hannahjgoulden) October 25, 2023
