The plot of the “Adolescence” miniseries, which premiered on Netflix in March and is among the 10 most viewed streaming platform, has been drawing attention for the plot that accompanies a 13 -year -old, Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), accused of violently killing a classmate from school.
Experts point out that productions such as the series can contribute to healthy discussions on difficult topics.
According to Marcos Trati, psychologist, professor and master in clinical psychology from PUC-SP, this type of content offers a unique opportunity for reflection for society as a whole.
“Through the mirroring of reality on the screen, viewers can be aware of their own situations and behaviors. Entertainment can serve as a therapeutic tool, opening a safe space for reflection and dialogue on sensitive themes of the reality of adolescents and families,” says the expert.
Adult’s eyes on adolescence
One of the guidelines shown in the plot that deserves our attention is the way adults perceive and relate to adolescents. This has a direct impact on the psychological well-being of young people, mainly because many teenagers still cannot adequately express their emotions, feelings and thoughts, according to Torati.
See also: ‘Adolescence’: What does the international press say about the success series?
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For the psychologist, the absence of adult competence to understand it can lead young people to feel abandoned in their suffering, and it is common in these cases to develop symptoms such as dullness of personality, self-depreciation or antisocial behaviors.
“The fragility of the adolescent ‘self, which is still in formation, is in an emotional state of dependence on adult opinions and expectations to recognize their value, which directly influences the process of building their self -esteem and identity,” warns Torati.
Doctor João Pedro Wanderley, a psychiatrist at the German Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, agrees that one of the points of the series that draws the most attention is the hierarchy between generations and the difficulty of understanding each other’s language – especially when it involves the digital world.
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“Especially speaking of adolescence, which is a phase of life where there is a need for acceptance and listening. This communication is sometimes very distanced, whether from the adolescent with the family, the adolescent with the school itself and the school with the family,” he comments.
Therefore, the doctor points out, the importance of having an open and transparent dialogue between the three parts.
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One way is the inclusion of a mental health professional in the school environment to help identify in students the first signs of conflict, bullying and emotional deregulation, for example, and refer to help and treatment.
Bullyingsocial networks and misogyny
The series launches a sensitive look at the universe of young people, bringing up topics such as the search for belonging, the challenges of self -esteem and, especially, the bullying – that goes beyond the physical world and affects young people also in the virtual world.
Production widens as small verbal and physical aggressions, often trivialized, can leave deep marks, a reflection of what happens in the reality of many young people.
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Learn more: Why is ‘adolescence’ displayed in British schools?
The impact of a mean critique goes beyond the school environment, affecting self -esteem, academic performance and mental health of the victims. Many students develop anxiety, depression and, in extreme cases, have suicidal thoughts.
For psychopedagogue Gleiciane de Oliveira Maziotti, it is essential that the school is prepared to identify and intervene in these situations.
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“We need a more prepared education that promotes respect and empathy. When the school ignores the problem or treats it as something smaller, it contributes to violence continues.”
As shown in the Netflix series, the construction of a safe environment involves awareness of students, teachers and guardians. This may include educational campaigns, psychological follow -up and the creation of denunciation channels.
“In addition, the active participation of parents in school life and children’s social networks can be a determining factor in identifying behavioral changes that indicate that something is wrong,” says the psychopedagogue.
Psychological drama highlights extremely current and often related social issues, such as toxic masculinity and the impact of social networks on the formation of young people’s identity.
“The series plays at a central point in social dynamics: the construction of an ideal of masculinity that disregards the emotional complexity of the boys, in a dynamic that dehumanizes them,” points out psychoanalyst and philosopher Ana Matos.
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Ana also points out that the imposition of a model based on strength and emotional suppression results in behavioral patterns that often translate into violence.
This reality is reflected in the numbers. A survey by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) revealed that about 23% of Brazilian elementary students have already suffered bullying. The phenomenon, far from being an isolated problem, is directly linked to cultural patterns that reinforce aggression as an expression of male identity.
“THE bullying It is not born at school. It is a symptom of a social structure that teaches boys to respond violently when they feel insecure, ”says the psychoanalyst.
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The influence of social networks is also inserted in this context, amplifying dynamics of exclusion and reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Digital exposure intensifies the need for external validation, making the public image more important than emotional well-being.
“The internet creates a space where competitiveness and incessant search for approval replace self -knowledge. This generates a fragile identity, shaped by unreal expectations”
But what are the ways to open dialogue and create connections? For psychiatrist João Wanderley, there are tools. One is through a deeper approach to the routine of children, with specific questions about who are friends, for example, instead of just a “how was the school today?”
The psychiatrist also highlights the importance of imposing limits, how to stipulate rules and commitments, which can include times to get home, to eat, to study, to do a physical and screen time activity.
It is also critical, emphasizes Wanderley, teaching children and adolescents to learn how to deal with frustration.