Midwest Teen Sex Show

In a cultural climate where so many themes concerning sexuality (particularly teenage sexuality) are considered too taboo to approach, particularly in a constructive dialogue between adolescents and adults, I think the Midwest Teen Sex Show video podcast series provides a really valuable service.

The show is the brainchild of two collaborators (working in their homes and outdoors with a camcorder and some editing equipment), whose goal in making it is to respond to kids’ questions about basically anything related to sex and sexuality, many times on topics kids will not raise with health ed teachers and parents. The show acknowledges that many teens are exploring sex and that many teens have questions, and that there is a lot of misinformation, damaging information, or no information about things that will help them make responsible decisions about their bodies and sexual wellbeing, and adjust their attitudes towards others’ bodies and sexuality.

Beyond the typically subversive content of the show, the show’s producers have embraced an equally subversive video-making process where the viewers’ questions and comments are used to inform the production of each following show. Compared to the usual process whereby the content of televised programs is decided by TV executives, this show’s production process is interactive and responsive. Nikol, the show’s narrator, invites people to email her their questions, and as often as possible the crew creates new shows in response to those questions. Each episode also has an open list of comments people have sent in right below the video. This feedback process adds to the show’s overall alternative approach to Sex Ed, the video-to-text-to-video conversation format proclaiming that issues related to sex and sexuality should be continuously discussed an reflected upon, whomever, wherever, whenever. The show’s goal is therefore achieved through both content and form.

The show has its problems in that many episodes have small clips that are really problematic/offensive and require critical attention, but the creators’ enthusiasm for interaction on their website gives me hope that they are willing to hear the criticism and respond in a constructive way. Anyway, definitely watch some episodes and tell the youngsters.

Polina