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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Are your teens allowed to watch ‘sex education?’

32 replies

DoreenSamuel · 18/01/2020 20:18

It’s classed as an 18 because there’s lots of swearing & sex in it, but it’s put across in a factual and funny way. Would you let your under 18 teen watch it?

OP posts:
DottyDotAgain · 18/01/2020 20:21

Definitely! I'm just watching season 2 and was in the room with my 18 and 15 year old, but they've both walked out because they're too embarrassed to be watching it with me...! Grin But I would absolutely let them watch it. Season 1 was funny, informative and very useful, I'd say...

Riverviews · 18/01/2020 20:22

My 15 year old recommended it to me after he watched it

Littlefish · 18/01/2020 20:25

I watch it with my 15yr old dd after she recommended it!

Original poster
DoreenSamuel · 18/01/2020 20:44

Phew I was worried about all those masturbation scenes - but I guess teenagers know all about that 🙈

OP posts:
fedup2017 · 18/01/2020 20:48

I'm actively encouraging my 16 year old DS to watch it.....He can be a bit "Otis" at times! He obviously refuses to watch it with me due to the s.e.x.

Yadaaday · 18/01/2020 20:51

I would let a teenager watch it. It’s nothing they aren’t thinking/doing anyway and the show seems responsible enough.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 18/01/2020 20:52

I want to say yes, but I used to watch "Footballers Wives" with my dad growing up and the thought makes me cringe now... so I'd probably take their lead.

pointythings · 18/01/2020 21:35

Yes, absolutely. Ought to be mandatory viewing for all teens and shouldn't be an 18 at all - it's incredibly well acted, tackles issues in a way that speaks to teens and is very entertaining.

Aramox · 18/01/2020 23:29

Yes for my 14 y o

JustDanceAddict · 19/01/2020 08:52

My 17 yr old watched it and prob did at 16.
I have only caught bits of it.
I’m sure it’s fine for 15+ from what I’ve seen.

Jesz · 19/01/2020 10:01

My DS watched it without me knowing (mates Netflix account on his Xbox!) and is now 13 and is open about watching it.

Notonetojudge · 19/01/2020 11:36

13 nearly 14yo dd loves it. I watch it with her and occasionally think it’s tasteless but not inappropriate. I’m sure she watches worse when not with me. Assuming you allow dc to leave the house, banning most viewing is difficult IME as everything ends up on YouTube eventually.

Staywithmemyblood · 19/01/2020 12:28

My 14 yr old DD watches it and so do I, but not together Grin

TomPinch · 25/01/2020 06:47

One minute into the first episode of series 1, we have a physically perfect, naked, rather well-endowed girl bouncing up and down on her boyfriend. No male nudity of course. All a bit gratuitous. I made it to the end of the first episode, found the humour cringy and trivializing.

So, from that grouchy remark you can tell that I'm not a fan. That there are far worse things out there is the programme's best recommendation. I'm intrigued by its consistently good reviews, but o tempora o mores I suppose.

No I would not let my teens watch it.

Greendayz · 25/01/2020 08:45

Yes I do. I think it's actually really educational, as well as very funny.

Tompinch - if you watch on you'll find plenty of male nudity and some non-perfect bodies in it too

chipsandgin · 25/01/2020 19:57

Another one whose (just turned) 16 year old DS recommended it to me!

Wellmet · 25/01/2020 20:03

I was thinking of starting this exact thread! Having just watched the second series I think it deals really well with some tough issues.
I actually want my teens to watch it, I think It's very informative. I won't watch it with them though! Blush

CodenameVillanelle · 25/01/2020 20:07

I think I'd let mine watch it from about 14

LemonBreeland · 25/01/2020 20:13

I would encourage my teens to watch it. It deals very well with so many teen issues and doesn't make sex out to be easy, compared to films. It shows the real awkwardness of teen relationships.

ZenNudist · 25/01/2020 20:22

I enjoyed season 1 but season 2 is unwatchable. I would encourage my dc to be a bit discerning. Then again lots of teen tv is totally inane so its probably pitched at the right level.

Its perpetuating the myth that "everyone" is at it and a few more teen misinformation stereotypes about FWB culture. Overall our kids are heading into a miserable adulthood where emotional connection is jettisoned in favour of instant gratification (or in many people's cases, no gratification).

Backintime4breakfast · 26/01/2020 19:52

i don't get why everyone is encouraging their kids at 14 to watch something that is an 18.

CodenameVillanelle · 26/01/2020 21:16

Because we can use our own judgement backintime? Because it's a really positive and inspiring show for young people with messages they should absorb before they reach 18? Because watching very sanitised and non explicit depictions of sex is not going to harm a 14 year old teenager?

TomPinch · 27/01/2020 08:59

A topless teen bouncing up and down on her boyfriend and asking him if he'd like to spunk on her tits isn't explicit?

OK then....

MOLLYJO987 · 29/01/2020 00:36

I think my 14 year old girl would be embarrased to watch it with me. It is very odd that the first scene I think is the only one with that much nudity in it.
It's not like I want to see them naked but they usually keep most of their clothes on in the rest of the sex scenes to the point where its obvious they are trying to not make it about their bodies.
So why that scene in the first episode?
I love that show.

nex18 · 29/01/2020 21:56

I’m just watching it with my 13 year old ds and 17 yo dd. Apparently dd’s friends think it must be embarrassing watching with mum but they’re happy enough. There’s nothing inappropriate imo.