This paper discusses mass media images of family life, the impact of media on families and evidence concerning sexually explicit programing. Section One identifies characteristics of family images (including sex-related differences and typical themes) found in women's magazines, comic strips, films, children's books and television. Television researchers have found that the themes of home and family and close personal relationships between the sexes are those which appear most frequently in network prime-time and weekend-daytime dramatic programing. Section Two considers the impact media have on families. First, the research on the uses and functions of television within the family is summarized. Next, research on the context of family viewing is reviewed and the consequences of the family viewing environment on television's effects are inspected. Finally, the kinds of family life expectations television may cultivate are discussed. It is argued that television seems to cultivate attitudes about when to form a family and how many children to have. Section Three reviews research on how television depicts sexual activity. It is concluded that television is becoming more sexy but not less sexist. (Author/RH)