Exploring the Forbidden Fruit Effect: Generation Z's Perception of Reality and Risky Behaviour in TV Series.

Abstract

The allure of the forbidden fruit effect—a phenomenon where the prohibition of activity increases its desirability—forms the basis of this study, which aims to explore how South African Generation Z perceive risk-related behaviour and relationships on screen. The research examines popular media texts, Blood and Water (2020), a South African production, and Euphoria (2019), an American production, to explore teens' relatability to Global North and Global South shows, respectively. To explore this phenomenon, this study is underpinned by literature by Forni (2020) on TV seriality and the dangers of augmented reality, Ferriera (2016) on youth aesthetics, and Akpa-Inyang and Chima (2021) on African family and community values. Additionally, this study cites work from Aykaç’s (2021) study on globalisation and draws from the cultural influence and consumer practice by Tengeh and Udoakpan (2021). The combination of materials provides a critical foundation to assess the themes of risk-associated behaviour and the potential effect this might have on adolescents. Thirteen participants were sampled from a private co-ed school in Johannesburg. Their responses were recorded and analysed to understand whether these series function as merely a site for entertainment or a platform for encouragement and emulation. The study uses a mixed-methods approach of content analysis and thematic analysis to study the media texts and participant responses to uncover attitudes towards representation, the accuracy of these portrayals, and the influence of globalisation on teen behaviour and perceptions of reality. The findings reveal that, firstly, substance use, and sexual behaviour are glamourised, normalised, and framed as unhealthy coping mechanisms for teens. Secondly, relationships on screen equally present tropes that are marred by toxicity, co-dependency, and dysfunctionality. Lastly, the study revealed that participants resonated more with Euphoria (2019) as compared to Blood (2020), as participants felt that the show resembled their lives more and represented issues of universal interest, such as sexuality, identity, and mental health, while Blood and Water (2020) is critiqued for the lack of cultural nuance and westernised representations on screen. This reveals the cultural diaspora and dissonance South African teenagers feel as they navigate their local identity within global influences. The study highlights the need for more nuanced research into the influences that affect teen viewing habits, preferences, and perceptions of risk, which can potentially generate critical discourses about youth in South Africa. Keywords: Forbidden Fruit Effect: Screen Narratives: South African Teens: Risk Behaviour: Toxic Relationships