Western Entertainment Television Programmes: A Catalyst for Behaviourial Tendencies among Students of Babcock and Covenant Universities

Abstract

Television has been considered a major influencer of its viewers world-wide on a lot of things especially in attitudinal and behavioural capacities. This study probed the influence of Western entertainment television programmes on the behaviour of Nigerian youths. The study was anchored on the Social Learning theory and Cultivation. Using the survey method, and questionnaire as instrument; a total of 300 students from Babcock University, and Covenant University were selected. Findings revealed that Western entertainment television programmes influenced the style of dressing of Nigerian youths (60.7%), sexual behaviour (60.5%) and food habits by (58.7%); that youths exhibit violent behaviours, imitate foreign accent and engage in public display of affection as a result of watching Western entertainment programmes. It was recommended that programme producers should be more creative and original in the production of indigenous programmes, reduce the emphasis placed on body shape, and that parents should help reduce amount of sexual and violent content they expose their wards to at home by having family programmes viewing time.

KEY WORDS: Style of dressing, Sexual behaviour, Food/eating habits, Western entertainment television, Influence.