The Representation of Adolescence in Media: Puberty, Gender and Sexuality through Big Mouth

Abstract

[Abstract] This study focuses on the modern media representation of gender, sexuality, and adolescence development. These complex issues are commonly failed to be contemplated, understood or even disclose in contemporary educational, institutional and social realms. Additionally, the role of cinematic and media portrayals as representative of current sociocultural events have touched these intricate topics; however, these productions offered a rather simplistic, unauthentic and brief portrayal of gender and sexuality, barely discussing teenage development nor puberty. For this reason, this dissertation will concentrate on the representation of said issues through the American adult animated coming-of-age sitcom Big Mouth (2017-); mainly due to its recent popularity, contemporary ‘quality’ style and good approach to the topics previously mentioned. The central aim is to analyse the information compiled in articles, journals and published books surrounding the topics about genre and sexuality with the series’ approach and consequent representation of societal standpoints while presenting, as well as normalizing, the taboo issues of teenagers in an original manner. Furthermore, findings will provide evidence on how contemporary academic knowledge taken from recent studies about the concepts of gender, sexuality and teenage development can be relocated in a simpler media outlet to portray the issues of the youth, to educate all levels of society and raise awareness about its causes, implications and problems.