New York Parent-Child Mutual Aid Association held a screening and discussion event yesterday (April 1) featuring the popular Netflix series “Adolescence.” The series, which translates to “Adolescence” in English, has sparked a global sensation since its release, climbing the viewing charts in various countries. Despite the lack of big-name actors, the impeccable performances and gripping storyline of the four episodes have led to widespread discussions, particularly on the exploration of teenage crime and its impact on society.
“Adolescence” centers on the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for allegedly killing a classmate. The series utilizes a single-shot filming technique to heighten the tension and portray the characters’ emotions vividly. It delves deep into the issue of teenage crime, examining topics such as parental education, school environment, peer pressure, the influence of social media, and cyberbullying, while shedding light on key points in adolescent psychological development.
The inspiration behind the production of the series stemmed from the director’s concern over the frequent knife attacks involving British teenagers, aiming to reflect contemporary social issues through drama. The producers stated that the series aims to explore how people cope when trust breaks down, specifically delving into the impact of “influencers” on teenagers and attempting to reveal the motives behind male violence against women.
Unlike traditional suspense techniques that conceal the identity of the perpetrator, the series boldly reveals Jamie as the killer in the first episode through surveillance footage. As the plot unfolds, viewers gradually comprehend the vulnerability of teenagers under the pressures of the internet and peer influence. The story is presented through four key moments: “Day one of the incident – Jamie’s arrest,” “Day three – Police investigation at school,” “Seven months later – Jamie undergoes psychological evaluation,” and “One year and one month later – Jamie confesses on his father’s birthday.” Through these perspectives, the series illustrates the profound influence of society on adolescent behavior.
During yesterday’s screening of the second episode by the New York Parent-Child Mutual Aid Association, a significant highlight was the portrayal of social media culture. In the series, a detective gains insight into teenagers’ use of emojis like the “red pill” to convey hidden meanings, as these online symbols have evolved into a new form of social language for adolescents to establish identity and convey information or values. This led viewers to ponder the toxic effects of contemporary society on teenage development.
Following the screening, the association’s president Nicole Huang led parents in a deep discussion focusing on questions such as: “Why do teenagers bully others?” “Who is the real victim in the film?” “What insights does the series offer parents?” and “How should parents navigate teenagers’ social issues and exposure to information online and understand their children’s feelings?”
In analyzing Jamie’s psychological motives, participating parents noted that modern teenagers’ self-worth evaluations are heavily influenced by social media. They establish their influence through initiating topics and garnering likes, gradually losing the ability to discern right from wrong under the social media influence, relying solely on external reactions to determine their actions.
Parents at the event expressed that whether as parents, teachers, or police officers, it is often challenging to truly understand the world of children and lack effective communication methods. Particularly for Chinese parents, the cultural and background differences in raising children who use English and receive American education can create barriers and deepen the disconnect between parents and children.
Furthermore, contrary to the prevalent stereotype of “problem families,” the series deliberately portrays the criminal protagonist’s family background as ordinary and typical, aiming to challenge the fixed stereotypes of “criminal parents” or “single-parent households.” This approach resonated with many parents as the issues faced by many families in reality are quite similar.
Through this discussion, parents became more aware of the profound impact of school environments and social media on children’s psychological development. They believe that continuous learning is essential for parents to establish emotional connections with their children. Communication is crucial, and the manner in which it is carried out is key – it should involve patience and understanding to help children open up, discern right from wrong, rather than being swayed by the tide.
The Parent-Child Mutual Aid Association will continue the screening with the third episode next Tuesday, exploring how the worldview of the protagonist Jamie is shaped and analyzing his views on women, relationships, friendships through conversations with a psychologist, and his understanding of a classmate’s death. Interested parents can participate in the screening and discussion on April 8 (Tuesday) from 11 am to 12:30 pm at 947 57th Street, Brooklyn.