Degrassi High (1987-1991)
Degrassi High (1987) is a Canadian teen drama film that follows the lives of a group of high school students in Toronto. The film is known for its frank and honest portrayal of teenage life, including the exploration of sexual themes.
The film follows the story of a group of friends as they navigate their way through the complexities of teenage life. One of the main characters, Joey Jeremiah, is a typical teenage boy who is trying to figure out his place in the world. As he struggles to find his identity, he also begins to explore his sexuality.
The film features several sexual moments between Joey and his girlfriend, Caitlin. In one scene, the two are seen making out in a car. This scene is significant because it shows that Joey is beginning to explore his sexuality and is comfortable enough to express it with Caitlin.
The film also features a scene in which Joey and Caitlin have sex for the first time. This scene is important because it shows the importance of communication and consent in a sexual relationship. The scene also shows that Joey is comfortable enough to take the lead in the relationship and is willing to take responsibility for his actions.
Overall, Degrassi High (1987) is a groundbreaking film that explores the complexities of teenage life and sexuality. The film shows that it is important to communicate and respect each other in a sexual relationship. It also shows that it is okay to explore one’s sexuality and to express it in a safe and consensual way.
There are points in the series of mild exposure to full-on nudity; Joey Jeremiah moons everyone in the school cafeteria and walks through wearing nothing but a hat over his crotch, Stephanie Kaye wears revealing clothing such as tube tops and miniskirts, Mr. Raditch runs from his home in nothing but a bathrobe and boxers.
Sexual situations including teenage pregnancy, promiscuity, child molestation, HIV/AIDS, being gay/lesbian, visiting a strip club and other similar situations are a frequent plot point throughout the series.
Heavy petting, tongue kissing and full-on sex are all often featured on the show, however scenes of actual sex are often faded to black or heavily implied (e.g. when Shane and Spike lock a bedroom door and begin to undress on a bed together).
A "sex hotline" (by telephone) is featured; a teenage boy is pressured by his friend to call the number and report his frequent wet dreams, to which the boy shouts that he is "not a pervert!".
Condoms are frequently shown on-screen (often connected to the school's health class). Some students steal them, blow them up like balloons and throw them at people. One boy fills a condom to the brim with water and drops it from a staircase onto another boy's head. He later destroys a condom machine.
Birth control: "the pill", vasectomy, condoms are all brought up frequently throughout the series.
A girl purchases a home pregnancy test kit; the box is seen, and later a plastic bag with the Canadian pharmacy chain Shopper's Drugmart printed on the side. The girl hides the bag from her mother.
A girl, mocked for being flat-chested, goes to a bra shop, buys a bra and stuffs it with toilet paper to appear more developed. This only earns her more teasing.
A boy is accused of being a "fag".
A character, Stephanie Kaye, is portrayed as extremely promiscuous. She wears heavy makeup and revealing clothing. She wins the school election by offering a kiss for a vote, and boys make up the repeated chant, "all the way with Stephanie Kaye!"
A girl claims that she saw two female teachers kissing and holding hands on Union Street. She bullies another girl for being a lesbian.
Girls are seen on a swim team in one-piece bathing attire.
Boys visit a strip club. A paper flyer with the text "GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!" is briefly shown around. One boy can't afford to go in and waits outside, where hookers try to hit on him. This frightens him, and he flees. The boys who could afford to go inside see a woman wearing a corset, miniskirt and fishnet pantyhose, but they are kicked out for not purchasing drinks before they can see anything beyond this.
Multiple uses of "pervert", "prude" and "sex maniac".
A male teacher tries to sexually molest a student. At one point, he is caught peeping into her cleavage, and he later attempts to massage her shoulders. He tells her that the scarf she wears around her neck is "such a sensuous material", and he rubs his fingers on it. A boy accidentally walks in on them, so the attempt is cut short.
Two boys steal a pornographic tape of what appears to be an X-rated slasher film, titled "Swamp Sex Robots" (written on the box). The boys frequently announce the title. The tape's box also has the words "SEX! SEX! SEX!", "Explicit!" and "X-RATED" printed on the sides and back. Later on, more people visit the boys' house, shouting that they "wanna see the porno". The boys' mother overhears this. (The tape itself is never played or shown on-screen).
A boy walks in on his father and girlfriend having sex. They are in bed together; the scene is quite brief, but partial skin is seen (no genitalia or buttocks, covered with sheets). The boy, horrified, leaves.
The show deals with many issues related to sexual themes