Beyond the Bedroom A Look at Sexual Culture
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The Representation of Sexual Consent in Popular Media
When it comes to topics surrounding sex, consent is often hard to represent accurately and responsibly in popular culture. Cinematic, television, and other types of media often fail to accurately depict how both partners must agree to sexual activity in order to give consent. In recent years, there has been an increase in the focus on communicating the importance of consent but there is still major room for improvement.
Misrepresentation of Consent
In our society it is often portrayed that there is only one acceptable way to give consent, usually depicted as a conversation between the two parties. However, in most cases this is not true. Consent can be given in many forms and through subtle body language cues. Popular media often depicts an unrealistic version of consent, such as one partner keeping up to the other’s pace and never turning the other down. In reality, the conversation around consent is far more nuanced and complicated than what we often see in popular media.
Positive Examples
Despite the lack of accurate representation of sexual consent in popular media, there are some positive examples. Television shows such as Big Little Lies, Queer as Folk, and The Magicians depict conversations around consent in a respectful and realistic manner. These shows demonstrate how both partners must be on the same page before engaging in sexual activity.
Additionally, movies like “The Benefactor” and “The To Do List” feature conversations about consent, sex, and expectations prior to any sexual contact. This serves as a great example for changes in the way popular media can represent consent.
The Need to Educate
Despite the increased focus on communication of consent in media, there is still a need to educate people on the definition and value of consent. It is important to note that consent is not a single moment, but rather a continuous process.
It is also important to be aware of how different forms of media can present different views on consent. Films, television, and literature can all provide different perspectives on consent. It is important to be aware of how consent is represented in media and take a critical approach to understanding it.
In conclusion, although there have been some positive examples of depicting sexual consent in popular media, there is still a long way to go. We must continue to educate ourselves and others on the definition and importance of consent in order to create a better understanding of the subject.
Key Takeaways:
- Consent is not a single moment and should be continuously discussed throughout any sexual activity.
- Consent can take many forms and be communicated through both verbal and non-verbal cues.
- Popular media is often misinformed on how to accurately depict consent, so it is important to assess and look critically at how it is portrayed.
- It is important to continue to educate on the value and importance of consent.
