Netflix Original ‘13 Reasons Why’ is a brave spectacle that brings to light many teen issues no one ever really talks about. It explores misogyny, rape culture, casual sexism and other topics that were once considered taboo.
The show consists of 13 episodes, each of which is a tape recorded by the late Hannah Baker before she commits suicide. It is through these tapes that the events that lead up to her death are disclosed.
Even though the majority of the audience empathises with the show and the sufferings of Hannah Baker, the series has made major headlines and reached the pinnacle of criticism. Therapists and suicide prevention experts highly condemn the show and deem it eerie for containing dangerous and improper content that will much likely lead to real crime among viewers. Whether or not the show is appropriate content-wise is still a question. However, if there’s one thing that’s certain is that the show is definitely not a good influence on teens.
Here’s why:
It romanticises death
Abuse has always been romanticised for ages now, especially in movies and series. 13 Reasons Why takes unhealthy and unreal romance to the next level by portraying inconvenient death such as suicide as a romantic tragedy. Such an unreal form of romance ought to ignite unhealthy fantasies and expectations among some of the viewers, thus leading to similar incidents in their lives.
No silver lining
Science has answers to almost all forms of mental conditions. The show does not talk about any therapy or medication as a cure to suicide. This is very misleading since teens suffering from suicidal thoughts might perceive the idea that there isn’t any effective help out there other than ending your own life.
No hope for justice
It reinforces the concept that you won’t be heard or get justice for the wrong that’s been done to you. And the only way to end the pain is to practice self-harm or suicide, which is definitely not true. Ending your own life is never a plausible solution to our pain. There are many ways one can seek justice and fight for what’s right instead of ending their own lives. Unfortunately, these ways are not instilled in the minds of the audience through the show.
No supervision
There are no strong adult figures throughout the season. There isn’t one adult role model that any of the high schoolers in the show could look up to or seek healthy support from. There was no one to help Hannah realise that high school is just one-quarter of a lifetime and that life goes on, and that it may even work out well, in the long run, no matter how bad your current situation gets.
Teen Characters
All the main characters are teenagers: they are still young and very impressionable. Other teens watching the show are likely to get influenced by the activities and wrongdoing of the characters in the show. It gives out a wrong message that being bullied, harassed or a victim of rape must be something so shameful that one has no way of getting out of it without committing suicide.
