If you’re anything like me, your sex ed in school would have consisted of an hour long session of a group of teenagers giggling while the teacher showed them how to put a condom on a banana.
Not the most educating sentiment really, is it? That was 10 years ago now though – I know, I’m old – so you’d hope things have improved since then and children are getting the proper education on it.
You’d hope. But let’s be honest, that isn’t likely to be the case. Don’t worry though, because a show on Netflix is here to answer everyone’s sex ed questions.
The second series of Big Mouth dropped on October 5 and has had tongues wagging ever since.
Netflix summarises the show, saying:
Teenage friends find their lives upended by the wonders and horrors of puberty in this edgy comedy from real-life pals Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg.
The trailer gives a glimpse into the types of topics that are explored throughout the series, leaving no stone unturned.
Phrases such as ‘why is everybody so obsessed with boobs’, ‘my mom says real beauty is on the inside but I just don’t think boys care that we’re smart’, and ‘we live in a society that fixates on the female form’ are packed into the short two minute preview.
With the first two episodes titled ‘Am I Normal?’ and ‘What Is It About Boobs?’, it is clear that this is not a show that shies away from the important issues.
Finally, it seems as though real discussions are being had and youngsters will be able to get much needed answers to the many questions that surround much of their teenage years.
So why are children having to turn to TV shows for sex ed? Surely this is something which should be a last resort, having received the proper education at school.
Well, sex ed is actually not compulsory in all schools across England, meaning some children don’t even receive the bog standard ‘how to put a condom on a banana’ lesson.
In fact, the draft guidance which the government uses to guide schools on how to teach sex ed was last updated in 2000, which doesn’t fill me with much hope about what kids are being taught.
It actually blows my mind a little because if you were to make a list about how much things have changed since 2000, you’d be here for a ridiculously long time.
Back then, hardly anyone had a mobile phone and you were extremely lucky if you did. Online dating apps such as Tinder didn’t exist, so children and teens didn’t need to be taught the dangers that come with them.
They do now.
The Government did announce this year that sex ed will become compulsory for school children from September 2020 and it will include how to stay safe on and offline, as well as the importance of healthy relationships.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said:
Many of today’s problems did not exist when we last gave schools guidance on how to teach relationships and sex education 18 years ago.
The action we’re taking is important to help support teachers and schools design a curriculum that will enrich their pupils in an age appropriate way.
Despite the fact it’s only taken 18 years to propose these changes we’re at least headed in the right direction, I suppose.
And in the meantime, I guess teens will just have to have all of their questions answered by Big Mouth – or, of course, their parents if they don’t mind the awkward conversation!
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A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).