14 Times "Degrassi" Addressed Feminist Issues
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14 Times "Degrassi" Addressed Feminist Issues

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14 Times "Degrassi" Addressed Feminist Issues
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Like many people in my age range, I grew up watching Degrassi. It's where I learned a lot of life lessons about the emotional roller coaster that is adolescence, and technical information that Nevada's sub-par Sexual Education system failed to mention. It wasn't until recently, however, that I started noticing the way Degrassi had been preparing me to be a feminist since middle school. Here are 14 times Degrassi addressed feminist issues, that you may not have noticed.


1. When Grace explained to Zig the importance of consent.


2. When Manny and Emma took on the "Madonna-Whore Complex".

Showing young girls everywhere the Catch 22 that is being a woman in this society.


3. When both Alli and Terri experienced domestic violence.

A survey from 2013 found approximately 10% of high school students reported physical victimization and 10% reported sexual victimization from a dating partner in the 12 months before they were surveyed.

4. When several of the students represented the LGBT community.



5. When Jane joined the football team.

And the backlash included: the cheerleaders, except for Mia, refusing to cheer for her, two of the male players physically assaulting her, and the whole team hiding her shoulder pads, and throwing menstrual pads at her to use instead.


6. When the Feminist Club created a petition to convert one of the men's bathrooms to a women's bathroom.

This episode also discussed the seemingly difficult concept that being a feminist does not mean you're "anti-men."


7. When Paige was raped, and slut-shamed in court.

Exposing the horrifying reality of getting justice for rape and sexual assault crimes.


8. When Imogen stood up against unfair dress codes.


Reminding girls not to believe administrators when they call them "distractions."


9. When the harsh reality of Emma's eating disorder was brought to light.

Because Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents, and it needs to be talked about.


10. When Jane remembered her father molesting her as a child.


11. When Emma starts a petition to put feminine hygiene product dispensers in the women's bathrooms.


12. When Zoe drinks too much at a party, is raped, and someone films it and sends the video to the whole school.

Showing girls that no matter how much they drink that they are never "asking for it," and it is never their fault.


13. When Becky takes Zoe's side after Becky's brother is found to be one of Zoe's rapists.

Emphasizing the importance of women standing together especially on issues like this.


14. When three girls choose different paths when faced with teen pregnancy.

Manny chooses to have an abortion.

Liberty chooses to give her baby up for adoption.

And Mia chooses to keep her daughter.

Showing girls that they, and only they, are in control of their bodies.


All of these lessons, and incidents of injustice, taught me more about the world and society we live in, than I'd ever realized. On behalf of all the adolescents who wanted to be at Paige's trial to tell the judge off, and have a girl like Emma starting revolutions at their school, thank you, Degrassi. You knew we could make it through.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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