Netflix’s Sex Education is Educating
Teens on T.V. are just as horny, rebellious, and impulsive as ever, but now there’s a series that openly shows the less flattering side of being a teenager.
Shows like Riverdale, The Vampire Diaries, and Pretty Little Liars depict highschoolers as beautiful, mature, and confident masters of sex. There are seldom any consequences for sleeping with each other. There is never a moment of awkwardness or confusion. However, this may not be reflective of young adults in the real world.
It’s understandable why networks would leave out these real-world elements. Their shows are centered around bold, sexy characters, and making a romantic scene uncomfortable or amateurish would disturb the rhythm of their program.
Unfortunately, this can leave the impression that healthy relationships don’t include what young adult dramas almost always leave out: talking!
In fact, usually, the leads are so self-assured and their chemistry is so absolute that it seems futile to pause, check-in with each other, and talk things out.
However, Netflix’s 2019 hit Sex Education changed the rules of the game.
The series follows Otis, an insecure high school boy whose mother is a sex therapist. In order to earn a few bucks and get closer to his crush, he begins solving his peer’s relationship problems and answering their questions about sex. Rest assured, there are constant uncertainties, issues, and difficulties these characters discuss.
The show provides a lot of information while maintaining an entertaining and engaging plot.
- Race, religion, substance abuse, homosexuality, asexuality, and more are examined throughout the show
- Unprotected sex actually has consequences with one character getting an abortion, another getting chlamydia, and another going on a quest for the morning-after pill
- Both teenagers and adults are weird and bizarre, and no one has a perfect relationship
- The danger of misinformation and stigmatization is shown as well as the importance of relying on both correct and professional information instead of rumors
- Examples of sexual assault besides non-consensual sex are discussed, as well as how a victim can file a report and how friends of a victim can support them
While all the above topics were included and artfully displayed, the most important aspect of the show was open conversation.
The series revolved around discussion and building trust and communication between partners. Problems are examined, possible solutions are given, and more often than not, open discussion is key to fixing the issue.
In multiple cases, a lack of open discussion leads to embarrassment or uncomfortableness between couples. This encourages audiences to talk with their partners and ask questions. Pretending to know something when they really didn’t, never led a character down a pretty path. It emphasized that trusting your partner and talking openly with them is critical to having a healthy relationship.
Let’s face it. The videos made 30+ years ago that are shown in health classes throughout America aren’t going to cut it anymore.
Now, maybe the Netflix Original Sex Education, isn’t the best to incorporate into a student’s actual education. However, it’s no mystery that adolescents are influenced by the media. If teenagers learn and replicate the behavior seen online and on T.V. then programs should begin including more and more aspects of healthy relationships.
Sex education proved that featuring healthy communication does not chase away audiences. In fact, it can actually become the focus of an incredibly popular show. Already, another Netflix series, Teenage Bounty Hunters, which was released this year, included multiple scenes of characters talking openly with partners about sex. Plus, the third season of Sex Education is in the works. Hopefully, more shows for young adults will begin including this side of relationships.
