Ever since I was little, I remember being curious about the birds and the bees. Along with that curiosity came a little bit of shame. I mean, the word “sex” in and of itself continues to make many of us feel uncomfortable. I just wish there had been someone to tell me that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. You would hear about sex from a classmate that had an older sibling, or see a glimpse of it in movies. But your teachers would get mad at you for talking about it, or you would have to cover your eyes when the scene came on. What are a bunch of teenagers to do with so many unanswered questions?
In my case, my friends and I would secretly search the web by typing in words like “sex,” “kiss,” and “makeout” to find some answers—as if those were any help. It wasn’t until sex-ed in sixth grade that they actually taught us what sex was. Even then, we were told it was solely for the purpose of reproduction, and we were scared with warnings of pregnancy and all sorts of sexually transmitted diseases. That day, I promised myself I would never do something so shameful. I laugh about that now.
The experience I just described resonates with many people, which is why it is so important to talk about sex. Why should we shun such a natural part of human life? It is not just sex itself, but the pleasure that comes from it that has become taboo. Perhaps more representation of sex in the media could be a productive way to start the conversation. You might see and relate to an awkward sex scene or someone going through the same sexual struggles as you in a movie, finding it comforting or reassuring. I think representation in media can help people feel more comfortable with sex and slowly tear away the stigma around it. Of course, movies, TV shows, and social media posts are not your best options when it comes to reliable sources of information—I remember my friends and I repeatedly getting into arguments about what goes where because we had read different things on Google or watched different videos on YouTube. Looking back now, none of us knew what the hell was going on!
I do acknowledge that there are many ways in which information from the media can be detrimental to our personal lives. However, one thing that the media has done well—for me at least—is showing that I’m not an anomaly; I’m not the only one feeling a certain way.
I want to end this off by recommending the show “Sex Education,” which follows a group of teenagers as they navigate their sex lives. Watch it by yourself, with a friend, even with your parents—at your own risk, though. However you do it, just get the conversation started!
the conclusion is really relatable 🤕