Couple of weeks back I was browsing on Netflix, when I came across a show titled Sex Education. From the trailer it did seem like a coming-of-age teen dramedy. I had previously read a lot of reviews on social media, where people were raving about the show and decided to watch it myself. I watched the entire season 1 in one day and this is why I think every teenager, their mom and pop must watch this.
What is the show about
‘Sex Education’ is apt name for this freshly launched original by Netflix, especially because it takes headon sex related issues of teenages. What we mean is, the show captures the essence of sex related and intimate relationship issues any teenager (and even adult) goes through. From erectile dysfunction to vaginismus to gay / lesbian relationships to romantic interactions – the entire eco-system of our sexual life cycle has been dealt with in a matured, dignified way. It also deals with the most controversial topic of abortion and that episode is perhaps one of the finest writings on television/web series.
Storyline
The story revolves around an introvert, shy teenager Otis dealing with intimacy issues himself, but he teams up Maeve, the intelligent yet jaded girl who discoveres that Otis is a natural at giving sexual advice to people. Incidentally, Otis’s mother, played by Gillian Anderson is a sex-therapist who lives a Bohemian lifestyle, yet has the need to pry in her son’s personal life. Together Otis and Maeve, start a sex-education advice service for the students in their highschool. Most of their students are dealing with relationship and sex issues.
Style and Substance
The show is Very British, not sexist and it handles the subject in a cool, dignified manner through interesting plots. No qualms about openly discussing sex-related subjects, through characters. Compared to the American High School comedies, this show has more organic and relatable characters. Even the most popular kids in the school don’t seem like they spend half their lives in salons and gyms. Very careful attention has been given in creating the perfect looks of teenagers who look their age and not Hollywood celebrities.
Why do we recommend it?
Sex Education, the right way: Sex education, especially in teenagers is very critical given in this political climate, but it can get awkward for parents and teenagers to really open up to each other. So this show does a good job of addressing all communication issues that teenagers and parents face while discussing sex.
Relatable and Real: The audience can relate to the characters and stories and their real problems have. For instance, the time when Eric, Otis’s gay friend cross-dresses for his birthday and is attacked by homophobic men. Post that, he refuses to cross-dress again. However, he rediscovers his true self and is not afraid to face it, and dresses the way he wants – colourful and gay, literally. It is a beautiful show of how the characters evolve and mature through their life problems. His friend who is also a person of colour has a father who is disapproving of his sexuality but mostly cause he fears a racial attack on him and sadly his fears do come true.
Myth Busting: It busts many myths and sets the right expectations around the topic of sex. Right from going in details about a female’s vagina, to the emotional stress a boy goes through before sex or while masturbation, it does not hype or create illusions about sex.
FAQ for teens: The show can address a lot of doubts, queries and myths about sexual health and relationships in adults or teenagers, without getting preachy, judgemental or vague.
Helps sex-positivity: It helps create a sex-positive environment, helps create a level of respect for one’s sexuality and dissociates the feeling of shame from sexual problems.
