In the 1990s, Finnish teens spoke openly about sex while adults fretted over softcore porn

Finnish teens in the 1990s discussed sex as a natural part of growing up, while adults expressed concern over softcore pornography and its influence, according to archived Yle programming.

In a 1997 episode of Kasvunvara, 15-year-old Jokke described intimacy as a way to learn from one another, while his girlfriend Ulpu argued that silence on the topic only made it seem forbidden. Their mature perspective contrasted with the program’s choice of music—Gösta Sundqvist’s suggestive lyrics—used to accompany their rollerblading footage.

Archival footage from the era reveals a recurring theme: adults worried about the impact of media on youth, particularly HIV/AIDS and sexual education. News segments debated condom use, with students noting that libraries offered resources, while street interviews asked whether teens felt empowered to use protection. Girls in nightclubs reported carrying condoms, though boys sometimes forgot. Meanwhile, reporters questioned where young men sought advice—position manuals, porn, or friends. A teen named Sami Karkkila offered a measured response: “There’s a lot of pressure. Two people learn together. The first time might not be perfect for either.”

Adults also voiced concerns about softcore porn on television, fearing it set unrealistic expectations. The teens, however, dismissed such worries, insisting relationships were built on more than physical attributes.

Decades later, Yle’s Perjantai documentary team tracked down Ulpu and Jokke—now Ulpu Korpi and Jorma Ralli—after a viewer tip. The former couple, who had dated for 14 years before parting as friends, reunited in Spain in 2026. Watching the documentary, Korpi remarked on the slower pace of the 1990s: “The world was different then—slower.”

The documentary, Ysärin teinit, highlights how 1990s TV storytelling moved at a glacial pace compared to today’s binge-watching culture. With only four channels available, the idea of streaming entire seasons in one sitting was unthinkable.