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It’s no secret that every Thursday night, I’m snuggled on the couch watching Jersey Shore. While most people don’t admit to watching it (even though I know it’s their guilty pleasure) or they watch in disgust, I’m especially intrigued by the show’s sexual dynamic. Last week’s episode, “A Cheesy Situation,” really got my head spinning. In particular, Mike “The Situation” got a little nervous after receiving oral sex. In case you missed it, he smelled a “cheesy smell” during the hook-up thanks to a roommate prank and was worried that meant his lady friend had an STD. However, he was so convinced that there was nothing to worry about since you can’t transmit STDs orally. WHAT?! I was FLOORED – a sexually active 29-year-old doesn’t know the transmission methods for STDs? I can only hope that young adults watching that episode picked up on the fact that Mike’s housemates informed him otherwise and now they know…I can only hope.
It’s been questioned since Jersey Shore first aired what kind of message it was sending to young people. Different hookups every night and taking turns in the “smoosh room” glamorize sex and we really don’t have an idea if the cast members use any sort of protection or not. I’m sure the house mates didn’t sign up for the show to become role models, but that’s more or less what they have become. If sex looks so fun on TV and bringing home a different girl or guy every night can be so easy, why don’t we all do it?
But what are the repercussions? How can we undo the damage and misconceptions that are displayed by reality TV? Why is it so easy to pick up on wrong information and risky sexual behaviors, but every day we are fighting to promote sexual health?
What do YOU think?
