In 2007, Universal Pictures released the
comedy Knocked Up, following the
story of an unexpected pregnancy between two strangers. While the movie is
remembered for its comedic value, important lessons can be learned from the
main storyline that depicts themes such as casual sex, alcohol’s role in sexual
decisions, and the consequences of risky sex.
Television portrayals of sex often focus on
it as a casual activity, failing to show the very real health and life
consequences that can accompany it (Collins et al., 2003). When watching
television today, when the consequences of risky sexual behavior are shown, it
is often in unrealistic ways or ways that are very stereotypical. On the flip
side, however, Collins et al. (2003) also present statistics that suggest that
media can also be used to promote valuable lessons about sex, “by modeling
responsible behavior or pointing out the consequences that can result from
careless sexual activity.” When looking to Knocked
Up, the consequences of risky sex are illuminated, also showing the role of
that alcohol can play in increasing the chances of engaging in risky sex,
consequently increasing the likelihood of unintended outcomes.
For example, the idea of casual sex is
promoted as a central theme throughout the movie. Ben Stone (Seth Rogan) and
his group of friends are known to frequent bars and pick up women. Their focus
on sex is further brought to the forefront when their career goals are exposed
– a porn website that shows viewers nude sex scenes of their favorite celebrities
in movies. The most significant instance of casual sex is when Ben and Alison
(Katherine Heigl) leave the bar together after a night of drinking. They have
an awkward and hazy one night stand and part ways the next day assuming to
never cross paths again. The one-night-stand has been popularized in many
popular television shows and movies, making it a relatively common ending to a
night out at a bar or party. Unlike many other popular depictions of
one-night-stands, Knocked Up, as
suggested by the title, takes a turn to focus on the consequences of
alcohol-induced sex.
Shown in the clip above, alcohol played a
central role in the outcomes of that evening, first in the initial flirtation
between Ben and Alison, and later in the miscommunication they faced in bed.
This scene highlights the way alcohol infused a risky sexual situation that
ended in an unplanned pregnancy.Therefore,
Knocked Up, and this scene in
particular reflect the reality that risky sex is increased when alcohol is
involved. As discussed in lecture, the film depicts the ways that alcohol can
alter one’s ability to make choices, particularly those related to sex. In a
way, however, this movie can be used as a positive source of sexual education,
particularly in regards to risk. Much like the Friends episode examined by Collins et al. (2003), the movie
provides a narrative of the consequences of condom failure, or in the movie’s
case, miscommunication caused by alcohol consumption. Therefore, in the long
run, Knocked Up can serve as an
educational opportunity for viewers on the risk of alcohol-induced sex, as well
as proper communication in bed. References:
Collins, R. L., Elliott, M. N., Berry, S. H.,
Kanouse, D. E., & Hunter, S. B. (2003). Entertainment television as a
healthy sex educator: The impact of condom-efficacy information in an episode
of Friends. Pediatrics, 112(5), 1115-1121. doi: 10.1542/peds.112.5.1115
Lippman, J. (2015). Lecture November 12:
Alcohol [Lecture notes].
Showtime’s drama Shameless
is well known for its intriguing storyline that deals with very real themes as
it follows a dysfunctional family in a low income neighborhood of Chicago.
Though sometimes a bit exaggerated, overall the show does a great job of
depicting and dealing with issues that are very relevant and not always
properly represented in popular media – namely sex. From the very beginning of
the show, audiences were introduced to the various characters that make up the
Gallagher family. The clip below shows a brief look at the characters that are
changing the way sex is depicted on television.
Fiona, the older sister, tackles stereotypical portrayals
of women and sex. According to Ferguson et al. (2005), Fiona would be
classified as the ‘promiscuous female’, yet the show is successful in making it
clear that this is not a bad thing. In all ways, she owns her sexuality, and
confirms the sexual script that women can have sex like a man (Markle, 2008). Unlike
other television shows, Fiona is not punished for her promiscuousness; but
rather, it is displayed as a very normal aspect of her life. Therefore, the
show succeeds in normalizing sex and subtly encourages women to own their
sexuality, a theme that shines through many other female characters on the
show.
Similar to Fiona, is her younger brother Lip, who also
embraces his sexual freedom from a very young age. In the first episode shows Lip’s
sexual encounter with a girl from school, a very real depiction that does not
over romanticize sex. In this way, viewers are getting a very real and raw
depiction of sex.
This blunt approach to sexuality continues throughout all
the seasons of the show as viewers watch the family grow up. When the time
comes for the youngest sibling, Debbie, to lose her virginity, Shameless continued its ways by
normalizing the awkwardness that often accompanies having sex for the first
time. In defying the trend of overly romantic virginity loss narratives that
occupy primetime television, the show is further normalizing sex and an integral
and inevitable part of life. Though Debbie’s virginity loss likely follows the
urgency script, apparent in her desperation to have sex with her older
boyfriend, it shows a refreshing depiction of sexual encounters, in which the
girl is pressuring the boy to have sex (Kelly, 2010). Therefore, the show is
again promoting women, and young girls to be more comfortable with their
sexuality.
Lastly, Ian Gallagher, the middle child, is also breaking
down sexual stereotypes and representing a very real depiction of gay youth and
the coming out process. While Ian’s sexuality is openly accepted by his family,
his community remains a bigger obstacle, particularly for his boyfriend,
Mickey. Mickey has to hide his orientation for a long time before his is able
to embrace is sexuality and come out to his family and the community. This
storyline is important to the show because is showcases the struggles of the coming
out process, but it also shows the positive aspects of acceptance, very
apparent in the clip above when Ian comes out to Fiona. In addition, Ian and
Mickey’s relationship is not overly gendered, as Holz Ivory, Gibson, &
Ivory (2009) would suggest. The show provides a very real depiction of two men
in a relationship, again normalizing sexuality, no matter what type. Therefore,
LBGT adolescents can see this more real depiction where
the gay characters are not being over caricaturized and they may also be able
to gain useful, somewhat accurate information about the coming out process
(Bond, Hefner, & Dragos, 2009).
Overall, Shameless is successfully tackling sexuality in the media by
providing very real depictions of the role of sex in life. The show provides a
variety of perspectives that make it a more accurate and relatable source of
information regarding sex compared to other television series. It has real entertainment value and is able to portray the raw facts of life and overtly depicts sex for what it should be -- shameless.
References
Bond, B. J., Hefner, V., & Drogos, K. L. (2009).
Information-seeking practices during the sexual development of lesbian, gay,
and bisexual individuals: The influence and effects of coming out in a mediated
environment. Sexuality & Culture: An Interdisciplinary Quarterly, 13(1),
32-50. doi: 10.1007/s12119-008-9041-y
Ferguson, T., Berlin, J., Noles, E., Johnson, J., Reed, W., &
Spicer, C. V. (2005). Variation in the application of the 'promiscuous female'
stereotype and the nature of the application domain: Influences on sexual
harassment judgments after exposure to the Jerry Springer Show. Sex Roles,
52(7-8), 477-487. doi: 10.1007/s11199-005-3713-y
Holz Ivory, A., Gibson, R., & Ivory, J. D. (2009). Gendered
relationships on television: Portrayals of same-sex and heterosexual couples. Mass
Communication & Society, 12(2), 170-192. doi: 10.1080/15205430802169607
Kelly, M. (2010). Virginity loss narratives in “teen drama”
television programs. Journal of Sex Research, 47(5), 479-489. doi:
10.1080/00224490903132044
Markle, G. (2008). “Can women have sex like a man?”: Sexual
scripts in "Sex and the City". Sexuality & Culture, 12(1),
45-57. doi: 10.1007/s12119-007-9019-1
