Okay, okay, we get that it sounds strange…. but hear us out.
This week’s Mamamia Outloud Podcast is sending sex-ed teachers grey at the gills with the idea that the blockbuster sex-thriller Fifty Shades of Grey should be shown in high schools.
Listen to the MamamiaOutloud Podcast Episode 5, with Mia Freedman, Jamila Rizvi, Monique Bowley and special guest Rebecca Sparrow here:
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We can’t stop talking, thinking and feeling all the things about this film. From the so-bad-it’s-good acting, to the wider social messages, there’s a lot to unpack. Which is why we’d love you to join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Some moments from the film really made us laugh, particularly this scene where a sheet-covered Ana approaches Christian, who plays piano in the nude against floor to ceiling windows and a magnificent view of the Seattle sky line.
But there is a serious side too.
Rebecca Sparrow saw Fifty Shades of Grey with a bunch of teenagers and says there are themes in the film that are actually valuable learning tool for older high school students. Does the film open up questions about sex that we really to be more open about, especially with young people?
Also on this week’s podcast….
Plus, with two books in the best-sellers list, Pete Evans and his Paleo way are pushing Australian’s to eat healthier, most nutrient dense food. A good thing, right? So why is there so much paleo hate?
And have you had an inappropriate crush? This hipster heartthrob is causing a few red faces.
Find out who he is and more by listening in.
ALSO, not only do HP help us put this podcast on for free, they’re giving stuff away to our listeners. Boooyah. If you enter our HP competition you can set your kids’ rooms up to learn from a happy place. They’ve got x2 HP Stream Notebooks, x2 HP Stream Tablets & a HP Printer up for grabs. Enter the competition. Do it. It’s HERE. and HERE. And HERE (third time’s a charm). Do it. Good luck. Go forth into your happy place.
Top Comments
I think you have some romanticised ideas about classes. Year 11 and 12 students would mostly be too busy doing stuff for their High School Certificates. If a class did have time to watch the movie, there is a good chance that the students would not necessarily agree with the teacher's assessment of the relevant themes and so copy the exact behaviours that are so controversial in the movie (eg the controlling behaviour, buying into the dream that an abusive partner can change with enough love). Straight out contrariness is a big factor with an age group that is still struggling with identity and independence issues.
Furthermore a teacher showing this movie may be perceived (wrongly) of grooming students. It is too slippery a slope for a teacher to risk it.
It may be more appropriate for university students who are older and more able to appreciate complex ideas.
Why on Earth would anyone want to subject the poor students to such a rubbishy movie. No educational value whatsoever. It is a movie from a badly written book. The book only did so well because of the very good PR machine that surrounded it. To make a best seller get a few people to discuss certain elements from said book on radio, TV or in the press, pay for media time but never mention the quality of the writing and you will soon have some people falling over themselves to buy said book just to saynthey have it.