No More Beating Around the Bush: How Social Media is Transforming Attitudes Towards Sexual Wellness and Safety

Abstract

With the current feminist instagram subculture iterating messages that promote consent, pleasure, and well-being, the public's perception and willingness to discuss these topics evolves. Individuals come to expect precautionary behaviors, because of high volume of images that equate safe sex with love and romantic success, in conjunction with self-care. Advertisements on Instagram are increasingly encouraging normalization of reproductive health and sexual wellness, therefore affecting our attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors.

And this extends beyond contraception; these pages encourage communication, clear consent, menstruation, masturbation, female sexuality, and non-patriarchal standards.