I promised myself I wouldn't jump on the latest Netflix bandwagon. I said that I wouldn't binge the new show, that I wouldn't become invested in the characters. But I did. And I think everyone needs to watch 13 Reasons Why -- parents included.
If I'm going to be honest, I really didn't like the book when I read it in high school. I felt as if it was too quickly paced, and some of the angst felt overdone. But the TV adaptation? It's perfection, despite its brutality. It's real and it's honest and it talks about things that are skirted around in typical TV shows.
While I understand that this show is geared for young adults because of it's goal audience and topical subject matter, I truly believe that parents need to to watch this show. I will admit that the show can get a bit heavy on the angst, but in a sense, this is what makes it so successful. This show is not afraid of talking about what teenagers go through. From bullying to drinking and driving to rape, 13 Reason Why tackles real life issues in painful detail.
This show shows the reality behind high school. It talks about subject matter that every teenager can relate to and draws attention to signs of suicidal tendencies, depression, and other mental illnesses.
Most importantly, however, 13 Reasons Why represents things accurately. The lack of awareness from public schools, the degree to which bullying occurs, the hierarchy of status and popularity, the thought processes of teenagers, the legal implications of lawsuits, the hesitancy to report sexual assault-- all these things are brought into the light in one short season. And while this may turn some people away (like I said, there's a lot going on), it is the truth.
These things need to be shown. They need to be addressed. They need to be brought into the awareness of those who don't understand what is happening in today's school systems and society.
So, do me a favor and watch 13 Reasons Why. Especially you, parents. Watch it and begin to understand. I promise you it won't be easy to get through. But it will be worth it-- you'll come out of this with a better understanding of what life is like for teenagers today.
