The problem with over-sexualization in teen dramas

There was a time when teen content dealt with the most basic necessities of life. Like matching outfits with your best friends, going to the mall, competing in dance competitions, and most importantly, falling in love.

Source: Scoopnest

But as for my generation (90’s to early 2000’s), although many of us wished for a love as pure as Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez from the High School Musical series, reality always found its way to sprinkle in the topic of the “birds and the bees” in the purest way possible. Fast forward to the 2010’s. SEX! It’s all that’s talked about. Or at least in hit making teen dramas. With shows such as Pretty Little Liars, Elite, Riverdale, and Euphoria (to name a few), the portrayal of sex lends itself to concerning expectations that many teens fall privy to; while being saturated under the false pretence of imagery that is completely choreographed with actors in their mid to late 20’s lending itself to “expected” body imagery instead of embracing the painfully awkwardness of adolescence, ergo, the problem with over-sexualization in teen dramas. 

With the pressures in today’s society of “beauty standards”, although TV programming has diversified its programs to suit audience members, why are the actors in teen dramas in their mid to late 20’s (or older)? Long story short: labour laws. According to casting director Todd Thaler, the number of hours that children are allowed to work is highly restricted which limits the amount of time producers can have adolescents on set. Due to extreme long hour days including night shoots, casting directors and producers tend to cast 18+ actors because they can be readily available on set for 16-18 hours hence shortening the shooting schedule and getting most of the work done in a timely manner. Not to mention, the work or scenes pertaining to sexual content in the script being way risker than what could actually happen on set if an adolescent was to play the role. Even though this is totally valid concept, it still does not dismiss the fact that adults playing teens is extremely overlooked, especially when it comes to body image. 

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Although, HBO’s hit show Euphoria is known for its groundbreaking performances, storytelling and motion picture catching, its sex scenes have caused quite the stir in media calling out unnecessary nudity and unequal treatment between female and male costars when taking off the layers. In an interview with the LA Times, Sydney Sweeney, who plays Cassie, states,

“There are moments where Cassie was supposed to be shirtless and I would tell Sam, “I don’t really think that’s necessary here,” to which he responds, ‘OK, we don’t need it.”

Though this exchange is a win for improving the safety and concerns of actors on set, it can become daunting to make sure that their body looks a certain way to portray the moment. But in pleasing the barrel of the camera, the younger audiences who tend to watch the show may develop negative bias towards their own body image for not meeting the “standards” depicted when in reality it is a grown adult on the screen, let alone a prosthetic penis. 

So, what needs change? Obviously sex is an experience that many teens choose to endeavour in. But when it is glamorized to be the perfect first time with perfect lighting, perfect bodies, and young looking adults, it’s a complete sham. Instead, why not show the awkwardness? The zit faced cheerleader? Or the perfectly imperfect body? Even with 18+ actors, it’s not an impossible ask.

My recommendation: Sex Education. Streaming only on Netflix.

Source: Screenspy

Written by Jessica Powell