Consent is Sexy: Gender, Sexual Identity and Sex Positivism in MTV’s Young Adult Television Series Teen Wolf (2011–)

The dominance of sexual violence and gender inequality in young adult paranormal series, including Stephenie Meyer’s The Twilight Saga (2005–2008) and Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series (2007–2010), reflects a disturbing trend in the way issues of sex and gender are communicated

in popular culture. MTV’s television series Teen Wolf (2011–), on the other hand, is noteworthy for its positive representation of healthy sexual relationships. In this article we will explore how Teen Wolf functions as a feminist and queer-friendly text, paying particular attention to how it deals with issues of consent, gender equality and sexual identity. In doing this, we will explore how the characters in the series approach conversations about consent without “killing the mood” and how youth sexuality is discussed without imposing conservative, heteronormative rhetoric or resorting to “slut-shaming.”