Teenage films are movies made for viewers between the ages of thirteen to eighteen years old. These movies often explore themes that relate to adolescence such as friendship, identity, education, family life, and love. Many teenage films focus on romantic relationships, which can be both positive and negative experiences. The way these films portray romance is important because it shapes young people's expectations about what a relationship should look like and how they should behave in one. In this article, I will analyze three main aspects of how teenage films construct ideals of sexuality and romance:
1) Portrayal of physical intimacy
2) Depiction of gender roles
3) Representation of social norms related to dating and marriage.
1) Physical intimacy: Teenage films frequently depict kissing, hugging, touching, and sex scenes.
The level of explicitness varies significantly depending on the film's rating.
PG-rated films may show only light kisses while R-rated films may show full-on intercourse. This has an impact on the audience's understanding of appropriate physical boundaries. If a character in a movie engages in a certain type of behavior without any consequences, then the audience might assume that same behavior is acceptable in real life.
Some teenage films glamorize casual or hookup culture, where two characters meet and have sexual relations with no emotional attachment or commitment. While this might seem exciting at first glance, it can lead to unrealistic expectations for real-life relationships.
2) Gender roles: In many teenage films, there are strict gender stereotypes regarding male and female characters. Males tend to be portrayed as aggressive, confident, and strong while females are often shown as passive, submissive, and weak. This promotes traditional gender roles, which can limit how individuals approach their own identity and relationships. It also contributes to unequal power dynamics within romantic partnerships, making one person more dominant than another.
3) Dating and marriage: Some teenage films emphasize the importance of marriage before exploring other types of relationships like friendships, platonic love, and polyamory. They depict marriage as a happy ending, even if it comes after significant conflict and hardship. Other films focus on dating as a rite of passage into adulthood, but don't necessarily portray marriage as necessary or desirable. These representations could encourage young people to prioritize finding "the one" over other aspects of their lives, such as education or career pursuits.
Teenage films construct ideals of sexuality and romance by presenting limited options for viewers to choose from, leading them to believe that certain behaviors or relationship models are normal when they may not be in reality. By analyzing these messages critically, audiences can challenge societal norms and create healthier ways to explore intimacy and connection with others.
How do teenage films construct ideals of sexuality and romance?
Teenage films typically depict idealized notions of sexuality and romance that may be unrealistic and detrimental to viewers' perceptions of intimacy. These ideals often include passionate encounters between attractive individuals, as well as intense and dramatic love stories with high stakes.