How does sexual performance and humor on TikTok facilitate relational socialization? This essay explores how people who post erotic videos on TikTok use language, tone, music, gestures, and facial expressions to create humorous interactions between performers, viewers, and potential partners. We will consider whether these performances can break down societal norms around gender roles and expectations regarding relationships and sex.
Let's look at some examples of popular TikToks that feature erotic content.
Video 1 features a woman singing "Baby" by Justin Bieber while dancing provocatively for her partner. She uses a high-pitched voice and looks directly into the camera, smiling seductively. The video ends before she finishes the song. Video 2 shows a man talking about his fantasy of going on a romantic date with a woman he met online. He is dressed up nicely and speaks in a slow, calm voice. In the background, a jazz version of "Can't Help Falling in Love With You" plays.
Video 3 displays two people doing an impression of a couple having sex. They make funny faces and noises, but there is no actual nudity.
These three videos share many characteristics. All involve roleplaying or acting out scenarios related to intimacy or sex. The first video is playful and flirty, while the second is more serious and sentimental. The third has a comedic tone throughout. What do they have in common? How do they help us understand relational socialization through sexual performance?
All three videos show that humor can be used to attract attention and establish connections. By using humor and exaggerated expressions, creators are able to stand out from other accounts on TikTok and draw viewers in. This helps them build their personal brand and connect with potential partners. Secondly, these videos show how performers use language, music, and body language to communicate complex emotions like attraction, desire, vulnerability, and affection.
In the first video, the singer's tone of voice suggests both confidence and shyness, while her movements convey excitement and flirtation. Thirdly, erotic performances on TikTok can reinforce unconscious gendered stereotypes by focusing on traditional masculine and feminine roles. The man in Video 2 expresses his romantic desires directly, while the woman in Video 1 plays the seductress who is confident enough to sing suggestively. These roles are based on societal expectations about gender norms and can limit the ways people interact with each other online and offline.
We have seen that erotic performances on TikTok often combine humor with sexually charged content. They allow users to explore different facets of relationships and intimacy, including fantasy, flirtation, and playfulness.
These performances may also reinforce harmful gender stereotypes that can make it difficult for people to form authentic bonds based on mutual respect and understanding. As we continue to use social media platforms like TikTok to communicate our needs and desires, it is important to consider the ways in which performance and humor shape our interactions and expectations around relationships.
How do TikTok erotic performance and humor facilitate relational socialization while reinforcing unconscious gendered stereotypes?
The popularity of TikTok videos that feature sexual performances and jokes has undoubtedly played an important role in facilitating relational socialization among its users. By showcasing humorous and sexually suggestive content, these videos create a space where people can connect with each other through shared interests and experiences, often leading to the formation of new relationships and friendships.