Channel 4 Joy of Teen Sex 10pm Wed

[leonine98]

Has anyone seen this programme and what did you think? I have a 16 year old daughter who recorded it to watch as it is going viral amongst that age group. I saw recording first and was deeply disturbed. Advice was given on what to do if your boyfriends 'come' tastes bad, how to penetrate annally and a young 17 year old lesbian was shown how to wear a strap on dildo. Articles on how to jazz up your vagina and have a Prince Albert's fitted to your willie also included. Quite understand that some may want this information but all this stuff is on the internet and can be accessed if you want to find it in the privacy of your own room. Anyone including much younger children could find this programme and watch unsupervised and be deeply disturbed by its contents. Is this something which should be on main time TV? Very worried about pressure effect on my daughter who will think there is something wrong with her if she is not into all of this. Interested in your views. Who should I speak to in order to raise my concerns?

This came up on MN's Telly Addicts section last week when episode 1 of 4 went out.

Can understand concern about younger children though with (apparently) many teens having their own TVs and internet access these days, not sure how younger viewers would/could be 'stopped' from viewing it anyway.

Should point out the bit about anal sex was aimed at a gay lad, who seemed late teens or early 20s, but apart from the question over the first teen going on the pill, few of the subjects would be that likely to come into discussion with parents (or am I waaaaay out of touch?).

The negative comments from the female who saw the Prince Albert might be sufficient to put lads off, and a strap-on is probably more hygenic (than tongue/fingers etc) so long as it gets washed, so not a big problem there... Strap-on was 'demonstrated' on BBC 3 ("Lip Service" series, before Christmas) available for download via iPlayer or recorded no doubt by some. LS had plenty of girl+girl in bed situations too, which, let's face it, have reached "Coronation Street" !

Thought the 'jewelry' above the mons was being used to get cash off 'trendy' girls, just like American-style nails with glitter and fancy colouring (and most hair/beauty products) are played to a mostly female audience as latest trend and far from necessary.

Yes, much could be said about it being perhaps to 'casual' in discussing matters but perhaps better to have clear facts than tales spread by those who know getting changed as they go along, and contraceptives etc being completely avoided. While condoms would be far better for the teen seen at the beginning of the show, she was at least ready to see sense by the end.

YANBU - might be something not to watch together, but be a starting point for discussion... as 'just say no' probably doesn't cut it with teens any more...

Agree Network guy but don't you think specifically targetting teenagers for this programme who may be as young as 13 is a bit dangerous? This sort of programme could harm and confuse vulnerable and impressionable teens. Surely, if you are curious sexually and have a need for information you can find this out without it having to be broadcast nationally. Don't think terrestrial TV can put much store by timings these days but titles do influence and surprised this one is allowed to have teens as their target audience.

I remember when my DD was about 16, Channel 4 were making a program about teenage sex. My DD was in a relationship with a lad where they were "waiting", and they wanted to show an interview of my DD etc, made it sound so idyllic, despite the fact that my DD had admitted to being previously sexually active. The researcher or whoever it was who phoned me was sooo bloody persistent,kept calling to see if i would reconsider etc when i said no to the point that in the end i had to resort to saying "my DD will appear on your program over your dead body, am i making myself clear!" She didn't call again. There was no way i was going to have my dd appear on some vouyeristic CH4 program, talking about her sex life!!!! no no no NO!!! I was just so at their selective deafness surrounding the word no - couldnt quite believe that i wasn't falling over myself so that DD could be on telly, that it was a good opportunity etc. Opportunity for what? To say something that she woudl look back on and regret - no thanks!

I didnt like it, as it was dispite its airing times aimed at 13+ year olds IMHO anal sex is not something that a teenager that young should be accepting as the every day norm in sexual intercourse.

the jewels and waxing are a way of exploiting teenage girls for fashion.

I do also belive that the strap on was also a little bit ott for the targetet audience.

The programe in my opinion should have been aimed at 19 to 20+.

I think at 13 to 17 discussing pre intercourse experience, safe intercourse, stis and relationships, esteem, body image and respect is what should be important.

Porn is so readily availible on the internet and feel it should be conveyed to teenagers that most of the sexual acts you see in porn is not the norm in a day to day sex life. This programe did the exact opposite and I would worry for young girls and boys who may feel under preasure to perform acts that come with experience, physical and emotional maturity and trust with your partner.

I think you are over reacting a little - it wasn't 'advice on anal sex etc etc etc ' was it it was advice on specific issues asked for and given to individuals - that SOME young people might a) relate to and b) want to know the answer to

some young people will be happy to ask their parents about sex but I am not sure many would be able to discuss the specifics of fisting or teabagging - seriously!

The program is not advocating teens LEGALLY do all those things - it's mearly providing information and a forum for discussion

bright, that was my first reaction when watching this programe was, OMG that is someones 13e yr old, 17 yr old daughter, what are they thinking portraiting them on t.v like that.

it wasn't 'advice on anal sex etc etc etc

ermm did u watch it? yes it was. it was quite explicite about penitrating at the right momemt actually.

YANBU, I thought it was far too explicit.

That poor young girl who had nine sexual partners, one STD and an abortion at 16 was a bit of a shock and then said she didn't want to use any of the contraception that was offered.

Jeez if you have done all that in your teens what are you going to do in your twenties/thirties.

And how old was that sexpert giving out the advice?

Dr Petra Boynton doesn't rate it - and to me that says it all. Check out the post on her blog... here

erm yes I did - my point is it was advice specific to one persons question - if I listen to gardeners question time I'm not necessarily going to go straight out and prune my rosebush :)

some teens will have anal sex - and may want advice on it - advice is NOT the same thing as directing them all to do it - you are being a bit hysterical :) hth x

Im not being hysterical in the slightest.

My point was that this program was aimed at teens of a very young age and not the 19 to 20 age group where anal sex is something likely to be explored, even then I dont belive many majority of hetrosexual teens will be exploring anal sex.

I do not think it is appropriate and nor do I belive teeneagers from 13 to 16 are having anal sex and if they are they are very vulnerable and this should be being tackeled appropriatly by health proffessionals, teachers, social workers and some crass and very clumbsy tv program.

Im not in the slites bit hysterical, but lookimng realisticly from a parenting angle and proffessional angle the program was very out of touch to what teens are intersted in aswell as what is approprite.

I didn't see it but it sounds hideous and totally agree it should be on a lot later!! And not advertised early in the evening when younger kids see the trailers ( I saw those) My dd is only five but I dread to think what will be broadcast in ten years time if ch 4 can get away with this tripe now. Totally agree we need to be concentrating on safe sex and the emotional side of sex in a mutually caring relationship. This is totally wrong IMO. I'm happy to complain to tv complaints dept! Whose with me?

even gay 16 year olds??? the young man in question was 20 and a gay virgin - I am not sure his situation can be applied to all teens?

do you think a 13 year old learning about a gay man having anal sex will run out and get bummed? that is where I feel you are being OTT

again giving information IS NOT the same thing as giving instructions to go and DO something

My point was that this program was aimed at teens of a very young age and not the 19 to 20 age group where anal sex is something likely to be explored, even then I dont belive many majority of hetrosexual teens will be exploring anal sex.

this was my point and I think you are missing it and responding in a very imature fashion.

is it aimed at youn g teens I thought it was about sex - which is illegal under 16 - could be wrong though - also on late and with advice that it is explicit

under 16 you have to have some input in what they watch and be a parent

but unless you feel 100% comfortable discussing lube with your 13 year old son/daughter maybe it has a place in the whole gambit of sex education out there

I just watched it
was actually pretty good,
If a really thick teenagers who refuses all contraception, photos of genital warts, herpes
and preparing an asshole metephorically on ur hand doesnt put teens off nothing will.

it was promoted to young and older teenagers through advertising and conveyed experiences from the age bracket of teens.

using a 20 year old gay man who is a virgin was not appropriate and conveying him as phobic about anal sex was benificial to the experiences and interest of teens.IMHO. I dont think the vast majority of content was appropriate for teens but more for 19+ age group.

why not - do gay teens not exist? do 14 year olds not have sexuality or questions about sex?

I think you are a little unrealistic - I work with teens - trust me they know more than you think and need information in many forms as much as possible!

The repeat is on tonight at 22:00 while episode 2 goes out on Wednesday at 23:00 or thereabouts.

How much later do you want it, Booandpops?

If someone has seen anything indicating it is being 'aimed at 13 year olds' I'd love to see a link.

While I would quite agree various portions may be completely distasteful, there may well be individuals wondering about different aspects.

Just as Billie Porter (18yo 'roving reported' for the show) was fine saying she wasn't keen on this or that, I guess many posters/parents will say none of the content is 'appropriate', but as gordy said, it wasn't advocating everyone try everything at all.

Read the series blurb here and there seems to be nothing about a proposed 'target audience'.

I suspect at least 50% of the participants had previously posted their own questions / fears after seeing one of the other shows on Channel 4.

Rubbish it may be in some people's view (and I don't defend everything, by any stretch) but I expect those who made it, and those who commissioned it, truly believe it to be more educational than voyeuristic or 'wank material'.

Showing operations or big needles is bound to upset some people (and unfortunately might put a teenager off some types of contraception), but talking frankly about STIs is probably far better than considering 'ignorance is bliss' (and not being in a position where a son might feel able to visit the GP, or a daughter may be pregnant or have an STD, or worse, both).

Some of the taboos are what has caused too many teenage pregnancies, in my view, and the fact so many parents had difficulties in the past discussing sex only exacerbates the problems, doesn't help, does it.

Don't get me wrong - this is not something 'every' teen should see but if some are getting into situations like this already, then they need to be more aware of the risks they are running, and perhaps use risk as a reason for saying no, and not being pressured at all.

so do I gordy and I disagree with you. If he was 20 he was not a teen. I would rather advice comes from appropriate forms.

ps with a screen name like 'gordylovesheep' I trust you're not in Wales (!)

[in N Wales, and have heard too many sheep jokes...]

LOL sadly I am in the Midlands!

I am confused Tom - you WANT a teen talking about first time gay anal sex but yet you profess that teens don;t HAVE anal sex !

Best not let your child watch and hope they are confident enough to approach an adult if they ever want advice :)

Think I will leave you two at loggerheads. don't know what "so do I" relates to tomhardy... but don't worry, unlikely to see a response tonight...

Off to see if there's more input on the Telly Addicts thread about this one, or off to bed...

Darn - helps if the link works, doesn't it! (to the Telly Addicts thread on this TV show)