Teen-targeted films have been portraying sexual negotiation, consent, and relational dynamics for decades now.
The way these topics are depicted has changed drastically throughout time. In this article, I will examine how different generations of movies have addressed them. This is important because it allows people to see how sexual attitudes have evolved. First, let's look at some older movies that address these issues.
Older Movies
Let's take a look at older teen-targeted movies from the 80s and 90s. In these movies, sexual negotiation was often presented as something that happened after a person had already become emotionally involved with another person.
In "Pretty Woman," Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) and Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) meet and quickly form an emotional connection. After spending time together, they begin to discuss their sex lives, and Vivian suggests having unprotected sex with him. This is presented as normal behavior.
This movie also features scenes where characters pressure one another into having sex without consent, such as when Vivian is forced to perform oral sex on her client. This shows that the concept of consent was not well understood at the time. Another example is the movie "She's All That" which shows two high school students who develop feelings for each other but do not talk about whether they want to be intimate until after they have kissed multiple times.
Newer Movies
More recent teen-targeted films have been more progressive in their portrayals of sexuality.
In "The Fault in Our Stars," Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort) are presented as having consensual sex after building an emotional connection. They talk openly about what they want beforehand, asking questions like if they should use protection. The film depicts them communicating clearly before engaging in any physical activity. Another example is "Easy A," which follows Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone), who fakes being promiscuous to fit in with a group of popular girls. When she starts receiving attention from boys, she tries to navigate how much information she wants to share about herself while still appearing appealing. This shows how complex negotiations can be between partners.
There's "13 Reasons Why," which explores issues surrounding consent and rape culture through the story of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford).
Teen-targeted films have evolved over time when it comes to portraying sexual negotiation, consent, and relational dynamics. Older movies often gloss over these topics or present them in unrealistic ways, whereas newer films show characters navigating them in realistic and respectful ways. It will be interesting to see how this trend continues into the future.
How do teen-targeted films portray sexual negotiation, consent, and relational dynamics?
Teen targeted films often glamorize and normalize aggressive and unhealthy sexual behaviors, such as nonconsensual sex, rape, and abusive relationships. These movies also tend to romanticize risky and unsafe sexual encounters that can lead to physical, mental, and emotional harm. While some movies may include positive representations of healthy sexuality and consent, they are not always accurate or realistic.