Due to its popularity among younger generations, especially Gen Z, TikTok has become an important platform for expressing one's identity, creativity, and sexual desires.
Recent studies have shown that these videos often reinforce traditional gender roles and unrealistic expectations around sex and romance. This paper will explore how TikTok erotic performances and jokes can create spaces for relational socialization while also perpetuating harmful stereotypes around gender and desire.
How do TikTokers use humor to promote sexual performance?
In many TikToks, comedic performances are used to engage with topics like dating, relationships, and sex in a playful way. Users may make fun of their own awkward experiences, share tips and advice, or reenact scenarios from movies or TV shows. These videos can be entertaining but they also reinforce certain beliefs about what is "normal" when it comes to intimacy.
Some videos show men talking about their anxiety over losing their virginity while others make light of female partners who refuse to perform oral sex. While these videos may seem harmless, they can reinforce negative ideas about masculinity and femininity. Men may feel pressure to prove themselves as sexually capable while women may face shame if they don't conform to cultural norms.
How do TikTokers use humor to challenge gender norms?
Some users challenge the status quo by poking fun at gendered stereotypes.
One popular trend involves transgender people responding to comments on their appearance or identity by pretending to be cisgender. In another video, a woman describes her experience of being approached by men based solely on her physical attractiveness rather than her personality. By exposing these assumptions, creators aim to deconstruct traditional notions of masculinity and femininity.
This type of content can still perpetuate harmful attitudes toward non-binary individuals.
Can TikTok erotic performance create spaces for relational socialization?
Despite the potential pitfalls associated with sexualized humor, some research suggests that TikTok can foster connection between users through erotic performances. This is especially true in communities where members share similar identities or interests. In one study, participants discussed how watching other TikTokers talk about their dating lives helped them feel less alone and more open to exploring new experiences. They also found that seeing others express themselves confidently and authentically allowed them to do the same.
Users reported feeling supported when they saw others who shared similar concerns or desires.
It seems that TikTok can provide a safe space for self-expression and community building around sex and relationships.
What are the limitations of using TikTok for relational socialization?
While there are benefits to using TikTok for relational socialization, there are also drawbacks. One limitation is that many videos focus only on heteronormative experiences and ignore queer identities altogether.
The platform may reinforce certain beliefs about what is considered normal or acceptable in relationships.
Some TikToks promote a "hookup culture" in which casual encounters are valued over long-term commitments. While these messages can be empowering to some viewers, they may exclude those looking for something more serious.
TikTok provides an important outlet for discussions surrounding sex and relationships.
Creators must be aware of the potential harm caused by perpetuating stereotypes and limiting narratives. By being mindful of how humor and sexual performance impact viewer perceptions, content creators can foster connection while also challenging unhealthy attitudes toward gender and desire.
In what ways do TikTok erotic performance and humor facilitate relational socialization while also reinforcing unconscious stereotypes about gender and desire?
Despite its popularity among young adults for entertainment purposes, TikTok has been criticized by some scholars as a platform that promotes sexual objectification of women and reinforces patriarchal ideas about female sexuality and desirability. On the other hand, it can be argued that the platform also serves as an important space for exploring different types of romantic relationships and sexual identities.