We discuss how media portrayals of sex create unrealistic expectations and impact our relationships, exploring everything from spontaneous versus responsive desire to the problems with hookup culture.

• Media often depicts sex as spontaneous, pretty, and instantly orgasmic when reality is much messier
• Casual sex is portrayed as the norm, which can be alienating for demisexual people who need emotional connection first
• Lack of communication and consent in media leads to poor models for healthy sexual relationships
• Sexual resiliency (handling rejection gracefully) is rarely shown in entertainment
• Romance novels and erotica often skip important aspects like scene planning and boundary setting
• Filters and curated online personas create unrealistic body expectations and damage self-image
• Dating apps have turned relationships into commodities where we're constantly trying to prove our worth
• Healthy relationships don't always start with an immediate spark—the "slow burn" can be equally meaningful

If you have any questions or feedback, reach out to us at [email protected].