 "How Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ talks about masculinity which is more like a pressure?")
Most men, including young boys, believe in hiding their emotions. Believing in a stoic philosophy of suppression of emotions is not good for mental health. Over the years, there have been some stereotypes around masculinity. And when you keep suppressing your emotions for too long, one fine day you may just burst it out, which can be harmful not only to the society but to yourself as well.
Both men and women are vulnerable. There is no right or wrong. Even after so many weeks of the release of Netflix’s ‘ Adolescence ’, I am still trying to process it. What is it that plays in the minds of young boys that we often fail to understand? We talk so much about feminism, feminist and the women’s rights movement, but we hardly talk about the men’s rights movement. In fact, there isn’t any awareness about the men’s rights movement.
History of men’s rights movement
According to reports, the term ‘men’s rights’ was used at least as early as February 1856 when it appeared in Putnam’s Magazine. But it is more about a backlash to feminism. Had this movement talked about real issues that men face in day-to day life rather than hiding their softer side, then incidents shown in Netflix’s Adolescence probably wouldn’t have happened.
Just like women had men vent their emotions often, then such an eruption of suppressed anger wouldn’t have happened. Young boys find it difficult to share with parents that they are being bullied in school or on social media. They don’t cry in front of others even when they are deeply hurt. They don’t howl; they weep secretly in silence, and they suffer too in silence.
We have heard and read so much about women’s rights and the feminist movement in our history and literature classes. But there aren’t any classes or societies that talk about men’s rights and men’s mental health. And this baggage of masculinity really weighs them down.
About Netflix’s Adolescence
Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper starrer, this Netflix show addresses far deeper issues that kids today are going through because of the terrible pressure of social media. If anything needs to be checked, it is social media, which has become a virtual demon. In this four-episode miniseries, each told through one continuous shot, the social issues, including ‘incel’ culture, are handled with care and extreme sensitivity. Very rarely do we come across such powerful shows like Adolescence that will hit you so hard.
We all know that there is nothing like a perfect parent or a perfect child. And my heart goes out not only to the child who gets killed, but also to James Miller (Owen Cooper) and his family, especially his father Eddie Miller (Stephen Graham). The father, Eddie Miller, played by Stephen Graham, grief is so real that you can feel tears rolling down your cheek. Adolescence shows how their perfect life turns upside down when their son gets arrested for the murder of his classmate in the nearby woods.
WATCH the trailer of Netflix’s Adolescence here:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the entertainment editor of Firtspost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes huge interest in world cinema. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until its a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.