Television "Reality"
Although I graduated high school a while ago I found myself watching several episodes of this show. I faced many of the same issues and pressures growing up, though less was spoken of and there was certainly less recognition and help as a whole (esp. for things such as depression, self-injury, addiction, etc.).
There may be more pressures or more emphasis on specific issues, esp. by society in general. But I also see more and more kids growing up in very unstructured and/or broken homes with a lack of moral values, lacking respect for themselves and others, and lacking parental figures. Parents cannot be their kids friend, foremost they are parents and role-models. Society as a whole tends to make excuses and condones such "teenage behaviors" as sex, drinking, smoking, drugs, so forth. I was educated about all of these things and much more at a very early age, but it was also instilled in me that these things were not acceptable behaviors for a child or young adult. We MUST HAVE higher expectations for our kids and not assume they are just going to make the wrong decisions.
I experienced so much growing up, esp. with all the family turmoil and moving we had to do (I went to 3 different H.S. in 3 different states). I wasn't clearly diagnosed with mental illness until after high school. I felt fortunate to literally survive school, let alone integrate into adulthood. I knew long before my senior year my parents had no money to help me or my brothers attend college (even attempting to attend community college ended up not being financially or circumstantially feasible). Many people want to go to college, but many people are unable to do so, and that doesn't make them stupid or less significant. AND many inward and outward battles are fought well beyond high school!
The girls and their lifestyles represented in this show are not adequate representatives of high schools as a whole. This school, the families, are more upscale, pampered environments and overall their issues and difficulties are rather minimal compared to many other schools and communities.
I think the premise of this show is a good idea, but they need to explore the diversity of schools and communities and delve deeper into the harsh reality only touched on in this series.
For all you in junior high and high school know this: adulthood and all of its countless responsibilities and hardships comes all too quickly. When we are young we often want to grow up right away, but believe me you all have plenty of time to explore being adults (which includes sex, drinking, smoking, so forth). Take your time and get to know yourself and think before doing things you'll likely regret later. If you are having problems talk about them, esp. to a trusted adult. Mainly enjoy your childhood while you have it!
There may be more pressures or more emphasis on specific issues, esp. by society in general. But I also see more and more kids growing up in very unstructured and/or broken homes with a lack of moral values, lacking respect for themselves and others, and lacking parental figures. Parents cannot be their kids friend, foremost they are parents and role-models. Society as a whole tends to make excuses and condones such "teenage behaviors" as sex, drinking, smoking, drugs, so forth. I was educated about all of these things and much more at a very early age, but it was also instilled in me that these things were not acceptable behaviors for a child or young adult. We MUST HAVE higher expectations for our kids and not assume they are just going to make the wrong decisions.
I experienced so much growing up, esp. with all the family turmoil and moving we had to do (I went to 3 different H.S. in 3 different states). I wasn't clearly diagnosed with mental illness until after high school. I felt fortunate to literally survive school, let alone integrate into adulthood. I knew long before my senior year my parents had no money to help me or my brothers attend college (even attempting to attend community college ended up not being financially or circumstantially feasible). Many people want to go to college, but many people are unable to do so, and that doesn't make them stupid or less significant. AND many inward and outward battles are fought well beyond high school!
The girls and their lifestyles represented in this show are not adequate representatives of high schools as a whole. This school, the families, are more upscale, pampered environments and overall their issues and difficulties are rather minimal compared to many other schools and communities.
I think the premise of this show is a good idea, but they need to explore the diversity of schools and communities and delve deeper into the harsh reality only touched on in this series.
For all you in junior high and high school know this: adulthood and all of its countless responsibilities and hardships comes all too quickly. When we are young we often want to grow up right away, but believe me you all have plenty of time to explore being adults (which includes sex, drinking, smoking, so forth). Take your time and get to know yourself and think before doing things you'll likely regret later. If you are having problems talk about them, esp. to a trusted adult. Mainly enjoy your childhood while you have it!
Re: Television "Reality"
I disagree that this series doesn't show what highschool is really like. I graduated the same year as these girls and I did not go to a school in a necessarily wealthy area. There was a ton of diversity racially and economically. The things that happened at this highschool were almost identical to so much stuff that happened at my highschool. You are right though, unfortunately today teenagers are not taught the right things. I have so many friend whose parents let them get away with everything but I grew up different than alot of people my age. I grew up with rules that I had to stick to or my life would be miserable. My mom did a great job. I have tried to encourage her to watch the show to see how I was compared to these girls. I had alot of friends like these girls but I was the girl that didn't go out and party all the time. I didnt get into drugs and I didn't start drinking until I turned 18 and was just about done with highschool. I drank one time while I was still in highschool. Although some people's highshool experience was much different than this, the majority of people going through highschool can relate to this immensely. This series was reality.