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Shanice is going out with an older boy named Julian. They like each other. We learn that some of his peers just see her as fodder for their sexting games. Is this why Julian is putting pressure on her for sex? 鈥淗e wont give up y鈥檏now. He鈥檚 got to prove himself to his mates鈥�, says Shanice鈥檚 friend Marcus.

Marcus鈥� wisdom comes from his own separateness. Shanice discovers that he may be attracted to boys, although he won鈥檛 talk about it. Their shared pressures create a bond. Julian invites her round to his house when his parents are out. Pressure to have sex and the sexting issue come to a head. Which way will Shanice go with Julian? We leave it open.

This episode raises questions about the pressure, for both girls and boys, to have sex. It also shows how 鈥榮exting鈥� can increase that pressure, further depersonalize sex, and be frightening for young women particularly. Shanice is seen as self-possessed, not a victim. But at the same time it isn鈥檛 easy for her to make the right decision and she doesn鈥檛 feel she can talk to her parents. Also in this clip there is a separate story about a young man who may be gay. This raises issues about how he feels and who he can or can鈥檛 talk to. Why is it he can give Shanice support?