SEX IN THE CITY is Entertainment, Not A How-To Guide

A number of recent media reports and published articles have stated how much the HBO cable TV series, Sex In the City, has influenced urban females. According to the reports, woman are making personal and political decisions based on what they see on the show. I find this a disturbing fact. While no one can dispute the entertainment value of the series as far as the number of Viewers goes, I have a problem with the values represented and the nonchalant attitude of the people involved regarding the behavior they are encouraging.

SEX IN THE CITY is Entertainment, Not A How-To Guide

By Bill Knell

A number of recent media reports and published articles have stated how much the HBO cable TV series, Sex In the City, has influenced urban females. According to the reports, woman are making personal and political decisions based on what they see on the show. I find this a disturbing fact. While no one can dispute the entertainment value of the series as far as the number of Viewers goes, I have a problem with the values represented and the nonchalant attitude of the people involved regarding the behavior they are encouraging. At some point we all have to take some responsibility for what we do or say. This includes actors playing fictional roles.

While it can be argued that Sex In the City is merely a mirror reflecting the behavior and values of a decaying urban society, I think that its both irresponsible and immoral to place a stamp of approval on things like smoking, pregnancy outside of marriage and the use of drugs. With cancer rates and smoking among females at an all-time high, promoting such a habit is irresponsible. Encouraging drug use when female correctional institutions are bulging at the seams is, in itself, criminal. And Ive noticed that the character who has had a baby outside of marriage seems to have all the free time in the world. Thats a far cry from real world single Moms who have to deal with feedings every four hours and a social life dictated by diaper changes and babysitter availability.

It would be a waste of time to try and play the morality card with anyone in the media. If it makes money, theyll show it on TV. Besides, they have a point when they tell us that if we dont like it, we shouldnt watch. The problem with that argument is that the show is constantly being touted as fabulous entertainment by the media at large. This creates a buzz that causes women, including young and impressionable teens, to watch. They turn on Good Morning America to see a free concert by a popular recording artist, and end up hearing how fabulous and innovative Sex In The City is.

I am a guy and therefore the embodiment of all thats evil on the earth as far as many females are concerned. Although that stereotype has also been featured on Sex In the City, I would honestly have to say that there are more then enough bad apples in the male barrel to reinforce it without that shows help. But let me assure you that the characters on the show dont scare me and aren't the cause of my harangue. I neither resent or fear powerful women who assert themselves. In fact, I admire them. But lets define assertiveness.

Sex In the City presents caricatures of urban women. The characters are not just unreal, but extreme stereotypes that are often insulting. But theres also enough truth in their experiences to allow viewers to empathize with the characters. This creates a serious problem. While mature viewers understand what they are watching and appreciate the comedic value of the show, many younger females see the onscreen behavior and values as the trademarks of strong, assertive women. The characters do virtually anything that they please with few consequences. That isnt real life.

Im not trying to convene a morality court designed to convict the show, people who watch or those who choose lifestyles similar to what we seen on Sex In the City. What I am trying to do is point out that there are huge numbers of women out there who are assertive, in control of their lives and happy, and they got there without living like the characters on the show! It takes a lot more character, internal fortitude and assertiveness to be a wife, single or married mother and still have a career then it does to be a flake who moves from one self-destructive relationship to another, does drugs and leads a promiscuous lifestyle without any lasting consequences.

I hope that impressionable young women get the message that being strong and assertive doesnt mean you have to have a couple of dozen former lovers in your wake before you get serious about a relationship or that being able to drink a guy under the table makes you a more empowered female. As a guy, Ill say the same thing applies to us. I will give the devil his due by saying that guys have been right there to set the standard for sleaze. If too many women are influenced by Sex In the City, too many men are trying to live up to the Shallow Hal persona.

The answer to the whole issue of how Sex In the City affects its female viewers might be found in the actors who play the parts. Instead of constantly telling people how much they admire the characters they play, it doesnt seem unfair to ask that they film public service spots or even brief comments to air after the shows credits as disclaimers. The actors could remind their viewers that the show is fictional, many serious issues are handled in a tongue and cheek manner and that some behaviors depicted on the series (like the drug use) are illegal and subject to criminal prosecution. This would send a much-needed and powerful message to impressionable women.

I just wonder if the actors are as strong and assertive as their characters? Would they be willing to take a stand by encouraging and allowing disclaimers that would have both an immediate and long-term positive affect on their devoted female Viewers? Ill be a typical guy and say, No." But lets hope that they prove me wrong!