Originally published on Everyday Feminism Magazine on August 3, 2016 By Degrassi-Connecting The Dots and re-published here with their permission
We often talk about consent as a simple matter of saying “yes” or “no” to sex – and in theory, it should be that simple. But do you ever come across situations when it feels more complicated than that?
For example, how does consent work when you’ve been dating someone for a long time? What if you’re both drunk? Does consent function differently for two people of the same gender?
If you’ve had any questions like these, you’re not the only one – and if you’ve seen season 1 of Degrassi: Next Class, then you watched Zig try to figure out the rules of consent in a relationship in the episode #YesMeansYes.
In this video, Degrassi continues the conversation with their web series Connecting the Dots. Adamo Ruggiero visited a Toronto high school to find out what the students have to say about what consent really means, how they talk about it with their friends, and how to answer some of the tough questions about certain circumstances.
Do you talk about consent with your friends? This might help your discussions.
We’re so glad for this conversation, because we all need more media resources that address sexual consent in a responsible way. You can watch how Degrassi: Next Class handles these issues and more – seasons 1 and 2 are now available on Netflix.
With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism
To learn more about this topic, check out:
- This Metaphor for Consent Might Be Just the Thing You Need to Make It Click
- How Do You Know If Someone Wants to Have Sex? 5 Essential Signs of Consent
Connecting The Dots is a new digital series created by the folks at Degrassi. In this raw and candid series, Degrassi extends the ‘conversation’ around topical teen issues featured in Degrassi: Next Class on Netflix, into the everyday lives and spaces of Generation Z. Connecting The Dots is produced by Krista Legault (@kristalegault) and Adamo Ruggiero (@adamoruggiero) – digital media professionals, youth advocates, and Full House super fans based in Toronto, Canada. Join in the conversation at @TheDotTV and @Degrassi.
