Parents' Guide to Sex Education

Parents need to know that Sex Education is an inclusive comedy about an English sex therapist (Gillian Anderson) and her semi-miserable, definitely sexually uneasy teenage son, Otis (Asa Butterfield). The overall vibe is sweet: Characters are supportive of each other, and they generally treat each other with acceptance and kindness. Notable exceptions are two bullied characters: Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), who's physically menaced for being gay and nonconfrontational, and Maeve (Emma Mackey), who's the "slag" of the school. Sexual content is extremely frank: Viewers see male and female nudity, including close-ups of genitals and body fluids. Characters have sex with lots of movement, noise, and realistic talk about orgasms, sexual practices, positions, body parts, and on and on. Straight and queer couples kiss and date; the show has a general openness around gender identity and sexual orientation, including asexuality. Women, including one in her 50s, have strong, central roles, and their desires and sexuality are represented realistically. Disability is naturally woven in through characters who use a wheelchair or have vaginismus and other conditions. Language is frequent and often sexual: Expect to hear "f--k," "s--t," and "hell," as well as "c--k," "jizz," "t-ts," "f-g," and "slag." Teens habitually drink, and smoke cigarettes and pot, including a scene in which one character's mom flirtatiously shares a joint with a teen. In another scene, a boy takes multiple Viagra pills in hopes of having better sex with his girlfriend and suffers a painful erection, which is played for laughs. Acts of aggression include bullying and fights, and a female character is sexually harassed on a bus. Bottom line? This show is mature but positive, with realistic problems and relatable characters who often show each other profound kindness.