There has been a recent shift in youth culture, away from sexual liberation and awareness, to something that I can only describe as ‘abstinence porn’. Because you know what’s sexier than sex? Not having it.
Books like Twilight idealize abstinent relationships, and portray female sexuality as dangerous, unless explored within the confines of marriage. Musicians like Taylor Swift produce song lyrics which quite openly state that sex before marriage is the wrong choice for women (apparently guys are exempt from these issues), a theme that is further perpetuated by her ‘clean teen’ image, and her constant wearing of virginal, white dresses. That’s not to say that Taylor shouldn’t sing about whatever she wants, or that her talent isn’t valid. Abstinence is a valid choice for some teens, and should certainly be considered when individuals make decisions about their sexuality.
However, the portrayal of abstinence in popular culture becomes problematic when it is promoted as not just an option for teens, but the only option, as in the TV show The Secret Life of An American Teenager.
Now, I was always dubious about this TV show. The Secret Life was created by Brenda Hampton, who is also responsible for the sickeningly sweet series, 7th Heaven. Both of these TV shows are arguably thinly veiled religious doctrines, disguised as popular culture. However, 7th Heaven also dealt with some serious and interesting contemporary issues, such as racism, drug use, abusive parents and more. And when a character in 7th Heaven falls pregnant as a teenager outside of wedlock, although abortion is not presented as an option at all, the show explores unplanned pregnancy and motherhood without creating an environment of shame or fear.
The Secret Life, however, a show that is more directly aimed at a 13-18 age bracket, portrays pregnancy and sex outside of marriage in an incredibly narrow and problematic manner.
The show follows the life of Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley), a 15-year-old American teen who, after having sex for the first and only time, discovers that she is pregnant. Amy is forced to consider her options, and deal with the consequences of having sex.
Adrian (Francia Raisa), the resident school ‘slut’ (their word, not mine), suggests some alternatives to Amy including a brief discussion of abortion figures. However, as the dangerous, irresponsible character in the series, it is needless to say that Adrian’s advice is quickly discarded after a religious teen talks Amy out of it, on the grounds that abortion is both a sin and murder.
Then, after Amy confesses her plight to both her parents and her new boyfriend, Ben (Kenny Baumann), whom she started dating after falling pregnant, offers to marry her – because raising a child outside of wedlock is irresponsible.
In the meantime, the father, Ricky (Darren Kagasoff), is oblivious to the whole ordeal, and when he finally does find out, agrees with the majority of influences in Amy’s life that abortion would be a crime, and that instead, having a child at 15 is the only real option.
The messages so far? – Sex is dangerous, and will almost always result in pregnancy. If pregnant, abortion should not be considered under any circumstances, as it is a sin and a cruelty. Lastly, children should always be raised by two married parents.
The series skims over the various forms of contraception that can be used, but does not attempt to deal with the arguments in support of abortion, and when Amy finally does have the baby, motherhood is portrayed as unrewarding, difficult, and almost as a form of punishment – hence showing teen pregnancy to be the most awful and destructive experience known to teenagers.
However, it is the depiction of sex in The Secret Life that I find most offensive. The six main characters in the series all have terrible experiences with sex, and not to mention, horrible attitudes towards it also. The female characters view sex as either a necessary acquiescence to ensure the loyalty of their boyfriends, or else as a means through which to manipulate the various men and women in their lives. As for the male characters, they are preoccupied entirely by sex as both a marking of social status, and as a form of escapism from the realities of their lives. There is nothing empowering about sex for these teens – every decision to have sex in the series is centred on another person.
The choice to have sex is either based on reinforcing some relationships or breaking down others’, but is never based on simply desire, or love. As a result, sex in the The Secret Life produces nothing but bad experiences and consequences.
Now, I’m not arguing that sex is always a good idea for every teenager, and that TV shows should reflect that. However, The Secret Life only portrays sex as a bad idea, and offers one homogenous view of sex and sexuality (especially female sexuality) as dangerous, wrong, and bound to result in negative consequences.
Teenagers need to be educated as to all possibilities and options when it comes to sex. It seems to me as if TV series aimed at teens swing wildly from one extreme to the other. There’s the abstinence porn of The Secret Life on one side of the spectrum, and then on the other is Gossip Girl which to some extent promotes promiscuity from an early age.
Perhaps sex can be irresponsible for some people but not offering a well-rounded view of sex and sexuality is equally irresponsible in my opinion.
Can there be a happy medium? Can you think of any TV shows for teenagers that deal well with sexuality?
