This presentation highlights the need for future research in the areas of cultivation theory, uses and gratifications theory, and expectations of parenthood.

1. How Television Cultivates
Perceptions of the
Transition to Parenthood
By Kaitlyn Olberding

2. Importance
Millions of individuals experience marital distress,
destructive conflict and divorce every year
(Markman et al., 2010).
Many researchers (Shapiro et al., 2000; Curran et al., 2000; Cowan
& Cowan, 2000; Belsky & Pensky, 1989; Dainton, 2008; Fuller & Fincham, 1995;
Herschberger et al., 2009) have examined marital
satisfaction in the transition to parenthood.
A few studies (Segrin & Nabi, 2006; Osborn, 2012) have
explored how television cultivates unrealistic
expectations about marriage.
No previous study has examined how television
cultivates perceptions of the transition to
parenthood.

3. Purpose
To add a layer of depth to the question, “why
does marital satisfaction decrease during the
transition to parenthood?” by examining how
television cultivates expectations and
perceptions of the transition to parenthood
To identify the role that mass media play in
shaping viewers’ attitudes and perceptions
about this major life transition

4. Review of Literature-
Marital Satisfaction
The well-being of an individual and the survival of a
marriage depends on marital satisfaction.
Marital satisfaction is composed of various factors
including: mutual interests, mutual values, sexual
satisfaction, a sense of security and
communication styles (Hirschberger et al., 2009).
Marital dissatisfaction is problematic because it
negatively affects partners’ “health, welfare, and
quality of life” (Linville et al., 2009, p. 244).

5. Marital Satisfaction during the
Transition to Parenthood
The transition to parenthood often leads to a
decrease in marital satisfaction (Cowan & Cowan, 2000).
Many factors lead to this decrease in satisfaction
including: an increase in chores and stress, a
decrease in communication, and an
interference with companionship and sex life
(Twenge et al., 2003).
High expectations of parenthood before the baby
arrives also contribute to a decrease in marital
satisfaction.

6. Expectations of the Transition to
Parenthood
 Individuals approaching parenthood often have
simple, romanticized expectations of what
parenthood will be like (Pancer et al., 2000).
 Husbands and wives who had high expectations of
the transition to parenthood experienced steeper
declines in marital satisfaction after the baby was
born (Lawrence & Nylen, 2007).
 Curran et al. (2009) hold that parents who have
lower expectations are more prepared for the “harsh
realities of sleepless nights, struggles over household
and child-rearing tasks, and financial strains” (p. 104).

7. So, what contributes to these
expectations?
Expectations are a combination of experiences
and stimuli, both interpersonal and mediated,
rather than simply one or the other (Segrin &
Nabi, 2002).
Thus, cultivation theory and uses and
gratifications theory will be explored.

8. Theoretical Framework –
Cultivation Theory
Cultivation theory focuses on the overall
pattern of television programming and how it
cultivates perceptions of reality among viewers
over time (Gerbner & Gross, 1976).
Cultivation analysis is not centered on television
programs that the viewer prefers, but on what
“no regular viewer can escape” (Gerbner & Gross, 1976, p.
20).

9. Theoretical Framework –
Cultivation Theory
 “Television viewers who say they are exposed to greater
amounts of television are predicted to be more likely
(compared to viewers who say they are exposed to
lesser amounts) to exhibit perceptions and beliefs that
reflect the television world messages” (Potter, 1994, p. 1).

10. Theoretical Framework –
Cultivation Theory
Television cultivates,
from birth, the beliefs
and partialities that
were once obtained
from primary sources,
such as family
members, personal
experience, and
education
(Gerbner & Gross, 1976).

11. Theoretical Framework-
Uses and Gratifications Theory
Uses and gratifications research began with the
work of Herzog (1944) who was interested in why
people use certain types of media.
Katz et al. (1973) hold that individuals are able to
bend the media to fit their needs more so than
the media are able to overpower individuals.
Those who watch television programming that
romanticizes marriage do so because those
representations match their preexisting
romanticized beliefs (Segrin & Nabi, 2002).

12. Theoretical Framework-
Uses and Gratifications Theory
Based on uses and gratifications theory, it is
predicted that individuals who hold idealized
beliefs about the transition to parenthood will
choose TV programming that also idealized
the transition to parenthood.
Expectations of marriage are commonly
shaped by the observations of one’s parents’
marriage (Curran et al., 2009).

13. A Few RQs and Hypotheses
 RQ 1: What perceptions does television cultivate
among viewers about the transition to parenthood?
 RQ 2: Does viewing of a specific genre cultivate
certain attitudes about the transition to parenthood?
 RQ 3: Do individuals watch television shows that align
with their own expectations about the transition to
parenthood?
 H1: Those who say they are exposed to greater
amounts of television that idealize the transition to
parenthood will hold idealized beliefs about the
transition to parenthood.

14. Contributions
Exploring a previously neglected area of
research
Developing a better understanding of why
marital satisfaction declines during the transition
to parenthood
Expecting parents will be more prepared to
buffer the common decline in marital
satisfaction during the transition to
parenthood.