The Joy of Teen Sex

This article was originally published in Edinburgh University's 'Student' newspaper in spring 2011.

In what is essentially an amalgamation of two of the Channel’s most ‘controversial’ programmes– The Sex Education Show and Embarrassing Bodies - the (sex on the) brain-boxes at Chanel 4 have created yet ANOTHER programme, this time more specifically aimed at teenagers, in which we are subjected to a ‘no holds barred’ guide to sex in the 21st century. The format, unsurprisingly, looks a lot like this:

- You are shown a clip of a misshapen body part OR forced to listen to a self styled narrative of embarrassing issue as told by the ‘patient’.

- A smug, yet unprejudiced, ‘health professional’ raises a perfectly formed eyebrow.

-'Patient’ starts sobbing about how embarrassing the whole state of affairs is.

- You are forced to observe ‘health professional’ hold ‘patient’ up as an example (supported by relevant and shocking statistics).

- You watch with baited breath as ‘patient’ gets a telling off / verbal cuddle.

- Recommendations are made but predicament is never fully solved.

- You begin to feel dejected; mainly at the fact you keep on watching what is effectively an STD parade/circus of teen impiety.

Despite its unremarkable set-up The Joy of Teen Sex had the potential to be semi-educational. However, this appeal was quickly lost due to the fact that watching it was like watching ‘Comic Relief’; a succession of entertaining and light hearted scenarios sporadically interrupted by the onslaught of a chain of terrifying morality-questioning features designed to crush your soul.

One of the more palpable examples of this being when the spotlight shifts from Natasha, a girl desperate to learn how to perfect her fellatio technique at the show’s ‘Sex Advice Shop’, over to a girl the same age talking to the show’s resident Doctor, Dr Rachel, regarding her concern that she may have caught HIV after having unprotected sex. Thus, it is hard to gauge whether The Joy of Teen Sex is more concerned with highlighting the importance of sexual health issues or whether it is simply a means of advising young people about different types of sexual technique and adventure.

Unfortunately general consensus leans more toward the latter, as rather predictably the show has caused much indignation since its first TV broadcast earlier this month. A letter sent to Chanel 4 on behalf of several practicing health and education professionals noted their concern that The Joy of Teen Sex was ‘exploitative and invited viewers to be critical of young people. Sex and relationships for young people are complex and nuanced and factual entertainment shows only ever really scratch the surface of what is going on.’

This well observed assertion sums up The Joy of Teen Sex in a nutshell, though sadly the rational voices of the letter’s authors and slighted viewers are unlikely to be heard over the bellowing of the shows self proclaimed ‘sexperts’. At least not until the wider audience recognise the implications a show such as this one may be having on those who choose to watch it not to indulge in the delicious irony or ridiculousness of the whole set up, but for actual educational purposes.