How sex is represented on tv

TV has always shaped how we see teenage life, but how much has really changed? In this blog, Jasmine dives into the evolution of on-screen relationships and what they tell us about growing up today.

Growing up with older siblings, my TV knowledge was quite vast. Watching shows like One Tree Hill and 90210 with my sister, and (if the football wasn’t on) Waterloo Road with my brother, I definitely immersed myself in the relationship drama. Looking back, I felt as though I understood the ways of teenage life and how best to survive high school. But asking me now, teenage life is so different, and I was so wrong. Of course, I know the world is ever-changing and evolving with the times and trends of today’s society, but dare I say that perhaps the expected prudishness within British culture may be coming to an end (about time, if you ask me).

Back in the noughties, relationships, sex and friendships were often depicted as scandalous, reckless and heavily heterosexual. Not only that, but there always seemed to be very large house parties with alcohol and drugs. No one ever questioned how on earth these 14 or 15-year-olds managed that without anyone realising.

The arrival of shows like Heartstopper (2022) and Sex Education (2019) has really opened society’s eyes and made people think about how exclusionary and unrealistic previous shows were. They raise questions about what we should be teaching children and young adults, whether that’s sex positivity or open communication to understand themselves, their bodies and others. That said, older shows did occasionally unpack serious teenage topics with nuance, such as teen pregnancy with Haley and Nathan’s storyline in One Tree Hill (2003), but ultimately modern TV shows are doing much more to raise awareness and reduce stigma and shame.

Looking into this further, I watched the first episode of two TV shows from different eras to see how they depict teenage life, relationships and discussions of sex: Waterloo Road (WR) from 2006, and Sex Education (SE) from 2019. Both explore teenage life around sex and relationships, but one is set in secondary school and the other in sixth form.

Starting with WR, within the first 58 minutes the show hints at cheating, violence, underage drinking, sex and self-harm. Although these things are depicted negatively through troubled teens being reckless and volatile in school, it still forces conversations and highlights issues that can impact relationships and friendships. It also sheds light on the stigma around fitting in.

When Donte’s dad makes a speech in front of the school, apologising for attacking their English teacher, Donte feels humiliated, worried that his peers will use it against him. Instead of acknowledging the message that fighting can lead to serious criminal offences and potentially damaging family consequences, such as Donte being put into care while his dad went to prison, the focus is on Donte’s fear of losing social standing. This perhaps highlights the impact of bullying in schools, implying that even good intentions can result in judgement and embarrassment.

WR shows how typical British families avoid openly discussing sex and relationships with their teenagers. The only time Chloe speaks to her mum about her boyfriend is during the first six minutes, when her mum simply tells her she deserves better. Throughout the episode, she remains unaware of Chloe’s actions: excessive drinking, driving under the influence and self-harm. Overall, the episode touches on teenage sex and relationships but shows nothing explicit. There are no conversations about safe sex or consent, even though the show highlights the importance of preventing teen pregnancy.

Thirteen years later, SE arrived with a very different approach. This already shows the contrast in TV portrayals of modern society. Breaking down stigma and acknowledging that teenagers are having sex is now seen as important. The show emphasises discussions about safe sex and encourages comfort and confidence rather than embarrassment or shame.

Within the first few seconds, we see sex, nudity and a focus on condom use. Unlike WR, SE highlights the importance of condoms without needing to state it outright. Most importantly, SE also depicts LGBTQIA+ relationships. WR never hints at anyone who isn’t heterosexual, whereas SE introduces openly gay character Eric and lesbian couple Ruthie and Tanya. This inclusivity allows for a broader discussion of relationships that apply to multiple sexualities and genders, providing a safe and relatable space for all viewers. Moving with the times, this is perhaps the most refreshing aspect of modern TV: making everyone feel included and showing that not everyone fits into heterosexual norms or a single box.

Finally, there are similarities between both shows. Each depicts aspects of teenage life that don’t always involve sex, such as smoking, drug use and bullying. These remain important topics, but it’s encouraging to see them portrayed differently and perhaps more accurately in newer shows. Both WR and SE show classroom chaos, misbehaving students and teenage stress, but in contrasting ways. This may suggest that society’s view of teenagers is changing. They’re not just moody or argumentative. They’re figuring life out, curious about their bodies and searching for the answers school doesn’t always provide.