The Secret Life of Teenage Sexuality

        In between seasons of my favorite shows, I’m forced to find new ways to waste my time. Unfortunately this results in me subjecting myself to the torturous plot and acting of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. A large portion of this episode centers on homoeroticism between best friends Grace and Adrian, a concept we read about last week. In this episode, rumor circulates about Amy’s mother’s homosexuality. The high school’s students become obsessed with homosexuality and suggest that Amy too is gay because her mom is. The students go so far as to suggest Amy’s marriage date, the Fourth of July, is a gay holiday. However, Amy learns that no one thinks her fiancé Ricky is gay although his mother is gay. This suggests that society is turned off by male sexuality; furthermore, homoeroticism between females is more exciting, to both men and women.

        When Adrian brings up that she has considered being with another woman, Grace accidentally reveals that she has thought about kissing Adrian before. This revelation causes Grace to question her own sexuality and Adrian to use the situation to gain attention. Below is a clip from the episode:

        Depicted in the clip is one instance of Appropriation of Female Homosexuality that appears in the episode. Jack, Grace’s ex-boyfriend, is turned on by Grace and Adrian’s kissing. Moreover, throughout the episode Jack attempts to get Grace and Adrian to reenact their kiss, exemplifying the idea that men encourage women to engage in homoeroticism for their own pleasure (Kim et. al 2007).

        Meanwhile, Adrian’s boyfriend Omar becomes upset, considering the kiss an act of cheating. Adrian and Omar’s overall relationship contradicts the heterosexual script of commitment. It is believed that women prioritize romantic relationships and make sacrifices for it (Kim et. al, 2007). Instead, Omar forces Adrian to make a promise that she will not be with another guy for a week. Adrian is carefree and embraces her sexuality while Omar’s character runs contradictory to the Masculine Commitment code. Instead of avoiding commitment, marriage and monogamy, he asks for marriage. When Adrian refuses, he asks for at least a commitment. Adrian’s kissing of Grace suggests that her sexual urges are relentless and constantly unsatisfied. Often a defining attribute of masculinity, this sexual aggression and need for sex is now attributed to a woman’s character. 

        What is most interesting is that Adrian is promiscuous. She has "sex like a man" and at the age of 19, she could be compared to the character of Samantha on Sex and the City. Unlike in sex and the city, consequences occur for Adrian. She is considered to be a negative influence on people and much of the school considers her a "slut". As a result of this labeling, she only has one female friend. Yet, these consequences are contradicted by Omar's strong desire to be in a committed relationship with her. This contradiction suggests serves to neutralize the negative consequences. Although much of the school considers her promiscuous, a well educated, older guy is okay with her past and wants to make a future with her.