“Adolescence” on Netflix is the Mirror We Can’t Afford to Look Away From
Also posted on Chicago Sun-Times
As a domestic violence attorney practicing in Chicago for the past decade, I've witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of toxic masculinity. It's not an abstract concept unique to TV shows and movie plots; it's a pervasive force that manifests in courtrooms, shelters, and homes, leading to domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse. When I watched Netflix's Adolescence, I saw a necessary and unflinching portrayal of these issues that our society urgently needs to confront.
Critics have labeled the series as having a political agenda, suggesting it unfairly demonizes young men. However, this perspective overlooks the nuanced reality that Adolescence seeks to highlight. The show doesn't indict masculinity itself but challenges the harmful constructs and societal norms that define it. As Stephen Graham, the series' star and co-creator, noted, the drama explores "the rise of incel culture" and the complex factors contributing to male violence.
In my legal practice, I've encountered numerous cases in which young men, influenced by online figures like Andrew Tate or others who claim success, develop distorted views of masculinity that condone aggression and control over women. Adolescence brings these issues to the forefront, depicting how easily accessible online content can radicalize impressionable minds. In the third episode, we see a range of what exerting power and control over women looks like - demonstrating that exerting power and control is not limited to acts of physical violence, but shows up in many forms.
The series also highlights the role of parents and educators in addressing these challenges. Graham emphasizes the need for mindfulness about external influences on children, stating, "It's just being mindful of the fact that not only we parent our children, and not only the school educates our children. But also there's influences that we have no idea of that are having profound effects on our young culture.” Those who work in the field of domestic violence or psychology understand that methods successful in preventing future violence include breaking the cycle via early intervention and open dialogues about healthy masculinity.
Dismissing Adolescence as merely political undermines the real conversations it seeks to initiate. The series serves as a mirror, reflecting uncomfortable truths about our society's complicity in perpetuating harmful gender norms. By engaging with its narrative, we take a vital step toward understanding and dismantling the foundations of toxic masculinity.
In my work, I've seen the consequences of ignoring these issues. It's imperative that we support media that challenges us to confront and address the root causes of gender-based violence. Adolescence is more than a television series; it's a call to action for all of us to participate in creating a safer and more equitable society.
