The role of satellite TV channels in changing the image of marriage in the youth of Tehran

This research tries to study the possible role of satellite TV channels in forming the image of marriage in the youth of Tehran، and measure their impact on how the youth view marriage. Theories of the impacts of the media have been reviewed and among them the Cultivation Theory which emphasizes on the long term and gradual effects of the media، particularly TV on the image formation of the audience and their conceptualization of the social reality، has been selected. This study has utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methods. First، nine Tehrani youth aged 18 to 20 years were interviewed in depth and then the collected data were analyzed qualitatively and statements were extracted to form the questionnaire of the qualitative research. The statistical population of the research included Tehrani youth aged 18 to 29 years and through multi-stage cluster sampling، 306 of them were selected as sample population. Data analysis and obtained results confirm the hypotheses of the research based on which satellite TV channels are effective in changing the mental image of marriage among the youth while attracting their attention towards sexual issues. It seems that watching satellite TV channels has had an effect on patterns of spouse selection among Tehrani youth and has created a conformity of mating patterns among them. An insignificant difference is observed in the impact of satellite TV channels on the mental image of marriage among male and female participants of the study.