StoryScanner
Start free

Sex and the City

Here's what we found in Sex and the City. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.

Screen for YOUR family
General Review

Parent's Guide to Sex and the City

Sex and the City is an American romantic comedy-drama television series that aired on HBO from 1998 to 2004, based on Candace Bushnell's book and newspaper column. The series follows the lives of four strong, independent women – Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda – as they navigate the complexities of love, sex, career, and friendship in New York City. Through their candid conversations and personal experiences, the show explores various facets of modern womanhood, relationships, and societal expectations. The series is renowned for its explicit and mature themes, making it suitable for an adult audience. It delves deeply into sexual relationships, features frequent strong language, and portrays significant alcohol and tobacco use. While celebrated for its groundbreaking portrayal of female sexuality and independence at the time, the content includes discussions and depictions that are highly suggestive and sometimes graphic. Therefore, parental guidance is advised, and the show is not recommended for younger viewers due to its adult-oriented nature and frank exploration of mature topics.

Things to Consider

High5

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The original 'Sex and the City' TV series featured recurring gay characters and explored lesbian and bisexual relationships, which was progressive for its time. However, it also contained problematic and stereotypical portrayals, including biphobic dialogue and derogatory language towards transgender individuals, particularly in earlier seasons. Later spin-offs have attempted to address these criticisms by introducing more diverse and nuanced LGBTQ+ representation.

Carrie Bradshaw expresses biphobic sentiments in Season 3, Episode 4 ('Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl') when dating a bisexual man named Sean, questioning the existence of bisexuality and famously stating, 'I'm not even sure bisexuality exists. I think it's just a layover on the way to gay town.' Samantha Jones uses a derogatory slur ('tranny') in Season 3, Episode 18 ('Cock a Doodle Do!') during a confrontation with transgender sex workers outside her apartment, a scene widely criticized for its transphobic language and 'othering' portrayal. Samantha also engages in a lesbian relationship with artist Maria in Season 4, which is depicted with Maria as 'hyper-emotional, clingy, and aggressive.'

Romance and Sexual Content

Romance and sexual content are central and pervasive themes in 'Sex and the City,' driving much of the plot and character development. The series features frequent explicit discussions about sex, numerous depictions of sexual activity (often implied or with partial nudity), and a frank exploration of various sexual acts, preferences, and relationships.

Profanity

Profanity is frequent and strong throughout 'Sex and the City.' Characters regularly use expletives, including the F-word, in both casual conversations and moments of heightened emotion, contributing to the show's adult tone.

Substance Use

Substance use is frequent and often glamorized in 'Sex and the City,' particularly alcohol consumption and smoking. The main characters regularly consume alcoholic beverages as part of their social lives, and smoking is a notable habit for one of the protagonists, sometimes depicted in a positive light.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Disrespect and rebellion are central themes in 'Sex and the City,' as the main characters often challenge and defy traditional societal norms and expectations regarding female roles, relationships, and sexuality. Their dialogue frequently includes sarcastic remarks and rebellious attitudes toward conventional lifestyles.

Would these 5 concerns matter to your family?

Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.

Medium3
ViolenceScary & Intense ContentAnti-Christian Themes
Low1
Witchcraft & Occult
Medium3

Violence

Physical violence in 'Sex and the City' is infrequent and generally not graphic, often occurring during heightened emotional states. The show is more characterized by emotional confrontations and arguments than physical altercations, though some instances of characters lashing out physically are present.

Scary & Intense Content

'Sex and the City' is not a horror or suspense series, but it does feature emotionally intense dramatic situations, relationship conflicts, and occasional shocking events. These elements contribute to an adult dramatic tone rather than a frightening one.

Anti-Christian Themes

While not explicitly anti-Christian, 'Sex and the City' largely promotes a secular worldview and often depicts lifestyles, values, and sexual ethics that are contrary to traditional Christian teachings. There are instances of irreverence towards religious figures and a general normalization of behaviors that some Christian parents would find objectionable.

Low1

Witchcraft & Occult

There is no significant presence of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, or supernatural elements depicted in 'Sex and the City' TV series. The show focuses on realistic, albeit dramatized, human relationships and urban life.

Want these personalized to YOUR family?

From a Christian worldview, "Sex and the City" presents a complex landscape of themes and messages that often stand in stark contrast to biblical values. The core themes revolve around female friendship, sexual liberation, independence, consumerism, and the pursuit of love and fulfillment through romantic relationships in New York City. The show extensively normalizes pre-marital sex, casual relationships, and, at times, adultery, frequently portraying these choices as paths to personal happiness or self-discovery. These depictions directly contradict biblical teachings on sexual purity, the sanctity of marriage, and finding ultimate fulfillment in God alone. While the series celebrates female empowerment and independence, these are often presented without a grounding in spiritual or traditional moral frameworks. Character morality is largely defined by personal desire and relativistic ethics; characters are often "rewarded" with experiences or self-satisfaction for choices that would be considered vices from a Christian perspective, such as promiscuity or self-centeredness. Moral accountability, particularly regarding sexual decisions, is frequently downplayed or framed through a subjective lens, rather than adherence to objective truth. The overarching worldview is predominantly materialistic, evidenced by the emphasis on designer fashion, luxurious lifestyles, and career success, and relativistic in its approach to sex and relationships, suggesting individuals define their own moral standards. A transcendent view of life and meaning, rooted in God or spiritual truths, is largely absent or implicitly challenged throughout the series. Redemption themes, in the Christian sense of sacrifice, forgiveness, or grace, are notably minimal. While characters experience personal growth and learn from life's challenges, these lessons are typically framed within a secular, self-help paradigm, rather than a spiritual journey towards repentance or divine redemption. The show emphasizes friendship and personal satisfaction as primary sources of strength and support, often in place of a reliance on divine grace or forgiveness. Regarding family values, traditional family relationships, authority, and parenting are not central to the narrative and are often presented from a non-traditional viewpoint. The series heavily emphasizes a "found family" among the four friends, with biological families often being peripheral or minimally explored. Although Charlotte expresses desires for marriage and a family, her path, and those of her friends, frequently reflect contemporary societal shifts where marriage and children are not presented as the sole or ultimate indicators of a woman's happiness. Parenting challenges are touched upon but without explicit endorsement or critique of family structures from a biblical perspective. Finally, explicit faith or Christianity is minimally depicted and does not serve as a significant guiding force for the main characters' decisions or the show's overall messaging. While Charlotte is raised Episcopalian, her character arc often involves navigating or subverting traditional expectations rather than upholding them as a faith-driven individual. Overall, Christian analyses often conclude that the show's content, particularly its portrayal of sexual ethics, directly contradicts clear biblical commandments.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Adults 18+ due to pervasive strong sexual content, explicit discussions of sex, frequent profanity, glamorized substance use, and mature thematic elements. The TV series carries a TV-MA rating.

Good to Know

Parents should be aware that while the original series paved the way for discussions on female empowerment and sexuality, some of its early portrayals of LGBTQ+ and other social issues have been criticized for being stereotypical or insensitive by contemporary standards. The themes and language are consistently adult and require mature discernment.

How does this review compare?

This review
  • 9 standard concerns
  • General sensitivity level
  • One-size-fits-all perspective
Your report
  • Concerns you choose
  • Sensitivity levels you set
  • Tailored to your family

What are you watching next?

Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.

Personalized to your valuesDetailed findingsAny title, instantly
Start with 10 free scans

No credit card required — join hundreds of families