Time to stir it up.

sometimesalwayschaotic · November 2011

What are your thoughts on this? Should TV shows promote high schoolers having sex?

https://popwatch.ew.com/2011/11/03/glee-sex-the-first-time/

CocoBrynne · November 2011

I don't think they should promote it, but instead try to educate instead of glorifying it. Obviously teenagers are going to have sex regardless, I think burying heads in the sand and pretending it's not going to happen is foolish, so the best course of action IMO is to make sure they can have open lines of communication about BC and how to protect themselves.

sometimesalwayschaotic · November 2011

CocoBrynne:
I don't think they should promote it, but instead try to educate instead of glorifying it. Obviously teenagers are going to have sex regardless, I think burying heads in the sand and pretending it's not going to happen is foolish, so the best course of action IMO is to make sure they can have open lines of communication about BC and how to protect themselves.

I think this would be a good way too. I also think that it would be good to show the struggle with it and make it seem like a big decision rather than it's just time because it feels good. I would really like to see the shows empower women and show that just because the man is pressuring the women doesn't have to give in. If a boy wants to break up with you just b/c you won't have sex with him he isn't worth it. They could show that too. A relationship should be about respect too. Shows could really teach a lot of these things but most don't. It's also good to show that sometimes when you do have sex with someone they treat you badly right after since all they wanted was the sex. I guess this is rather new to me since I hadn't seen any of the above mentioned shows. I would like to see if it's done, that it's used to educate rather than to just gain ratings because it's controversial.

sometimesalwayschaotic · November 2011

rmj80:
hheyderh:

CocoBrynne:
I don't think they should promote it, but instead try to educate instead of glorifying it. Obviously teenagers are going to have sex regardless, I think burying heads in the sand and pretending it's not going to happen is foolish, so the best course of action IMO is to make sure they can have open lines of communication about BC and how to protect themselves.

I think this would be a good way too. I also think that it would be good to show the struggle with it and make it seem like a big decision rather than it's just time because it feels good. I would really like to see the shows empower women and show that just because the man is pressuring the women doesn't have to give in. If a boy wants to break up with you just b/c you won't have sex with him he isn't worth it. They could show that too. A relationship should be about respect too. Shows could really teach a lot of these things but most don't. It's also good to show that sometimes when you do have sex with someone they treat you badly right after since all they wanted was the sex. I guess this is rather new to me since I hadn't seen any of the above mentioned shows. I would like to see if it's done, that it's used to educate rather than to just gain ratings because it's controversial.

It's our job as parents to teach all of these things to our children...not the tv's.

So true! That's why I think it's important for kids not to watch these things. It makes me sad how many only have the TV as influence rather than parents.

CocoBrynne · November 2011

rmj80:

CocoBrynne:
I don't think they should promote it, but instead try to educate instead of glorifying it. Obviously teenagers are going to have sex regardless, I think burying heads in the sand and pretending it's not going to happen is foolish, so the best course of action IMO is to make sure they can have open lines of communication about BC and how to protect themselves.

This is SO not true. Sure, many teenagers have sex, but there are also many who choose not to. The idea that "everybody's having premarital sex" is just propoganda that's been overexagerrated by the media for ratings. Are there certain communities where it happens a lot? Sure. Are there certain communities where unprotected, premarital sex is a huge problem? Absolutely.

BUT there are also plenty of communities where it isn't much of an issue at all. I believe if kids understood that what they see on the news and on tv shows isn't really how everybody REALLY lives, they might be less inclined to try to be like "everyone" else or, at the very least, less inclined to devalue their own morals because it's "no big deal."

/soapbox

I agree that not all teenagers have sex, but the fact is lots of them do. I think it is our job as parents and also the job of schools to make sure the kids that DO choose to have sex are well educated. If we turn a blind eye it affects everyone bc then we end up with teen mom's who are statistically more likely to rely on public assistance and not graduate.

laney75 · November 2011

As far as I'm concerned, this gives us another reason to cancel our cable. Just because we all grew up with shows (Dawsons Creek, etc) that had teen sex doesn't mean it's ok. Putting it on TV promotes teen sex, any way you want to look at it. Being okay with it now, because we all grew up with it, just means we've become desensitized.

sometimesalwayschaotic · November 2011

laney75:
As far as I'm concerned, this gives us another reason to cancel our cable. Just because we all grew up with shows (Dawsons Creek, etc) that had teen sex doesn't mean it's ok. Putting it on TV promotes teen sex, any way you want to look at it. Being okay with it now, because we all grew up with it, just means we've become desensitized.

So true! We no longer have cable and that's why I see things like this it shocks me. I think many things we see on cable now would have been unacceptable even just 5 years ago.

chicsub · November 2011

I agree that it's all about having discussions with your kids. Our "community" didn't have this issue, but in the homes of the valedictorian from the grade below me and our pastor's daughter it was an issue. So even if it's not an issue for the overall community, kids still have sex, even under the best of circumstances. Sure, there are a lot that don't, but I feel like it doesn't hurt to continue the conversation when opportunities arise. I didn't have sex until after h.s., but I feel like the only conversation my mom had with me was about how we don't have premarital sex b/c it was a sin and "good girls" don't do that. So I felt very shamed when I did end up having sex with my boyfriend in college, even though I never fessed up to it with my mom. I'm guessing this might have been a similar situation in the homes of the girls that ended up pregnant in our town.

StatlerWaldorf · November 2011

It's entertainment. If you don't agree with it, don't watch it and don't let your children watch it. I don't think it should be a tv show's responsibility to instill morals into their viewers.

WiggleBaby · November 2011

StatlerWaldorf:
It's entertainment. If you don't agree with it, don't watch it and don't let your children watch it. I don't think it should be a tv show's responsibility to instill morals into their viewers.

Yes

fwiw - those of you who think it's not going on... it probably is. no definitely not EVERY kid, of course. plenty of kids don't have sex in high school. however how are you judging that it doesnt happen "in your community"?? how do you know who is having sex? or how many are/are not? because not everyone gets pregnant or some obvious consequence. i'm not trying to be snarky at all... just being honest.

also i'm assuming you haven't heard of The Secret Life of the American Teenager???

notkateanymore · November 2011

StatlerWaldorf:
It's entertainment. If you don't agree with it, don't watch it and don't let your children watch it. I don't think it should be a tv show's responsibility to instill morals into their viewers.

100% agree with this...if you have an open and honest relationship with your child and teach them the values they need, a tv show shouldn't change anything!

pinacolodas · November 2011

I love Glee, I trust the writers to handle it well. I love that they are showing the progression of a gay relationship. So many gay teens have no-one to talk to about sex, much less so than straight teens. Like a gay son is going to have a tougher time going to his Dad and asking about what happens, etc. So any positive portrayal is good to me.

Of course I would love to see discussions about sex safe and the emotional consequences of sex.

Want a personalized experience?

Time to stir it up.

Re: Time to stir it up.

Choose Another Board

Search Boards