Teenage years are often romanticised as a carefree time of discovery, friendships, and first love. But the reality is often much more complex – and sometimes painful. The gripping series Adolescence strips away the nostalgia and shines a raw, unfiltered light on the struggles today’s teens face.
For parents, this show isn’t just entertainment – it’s a wake-up call. Here are three crude truths that Adolescence highlights, and why we need to start paying attention.
1. Childhood Wounds Don’t Just Disappear With Time
Many of us like to believe that childhood hardships fade as we grow older. But Adolescence reminds us that unhealed wounds don’t go away – they just get buried deeper.
A child who grows up feeling unheard, neglected, or unloved may carry those emotional scars into their teenage years and beyond. Anxiety, self-doubt, and even destructive behaviours often have roots in unresolved childhood pain. The message for parents? Ignoring emotional struggles doesn’t make them disappear. Supporting children in processing their emotions does.
2. Toxic Relationships Start Young – And Heartbreak Isn’t Proof of Love
One of the most powerful takeaways from Adolescence is how dangerously early toxic relationship dynamics can start. Jealousy, control, and even emotional abuse are often mistaken for passion – especially when popular culture keeps feeding young people the idea that love should be dramatic and all-consuming.
The show highlights how toxic patterns can take hold long before adulthood. For parents, this means having honest conversations about what healthy love looks like. No teenager should believe that suffering is proof of devotion.
3. Misogyny and Online Hate Culture Are Not Just Passing Trends
It’s easy to dismiss the rise of misogynistic influencers and toxic online communities as just another social media fad. But Adolescence forces us to confront the real, lasting damage that this culture inflicts on young people – especially girls.
The series exposes how young men are being radicalised by online spaces that normalise aggression, entitlement, and violence towards women. These are not just empty words on a screen – they shape real attitudes and actions, leading to harassment, abuse, and trauma.
Why Every Parent Should Watch Adolescence
This series isn’t always comfortable to watch, but that’s exactly why it’s so important. It challenges parents to face the reality of what young people are dealing with today.
From childhood trauma to toxic love and the dangers of online hate, Adolescence is more than just a show – it’s a conversation starter. Watch it. Talk about it. And most importantly, listen to your teens.
Have you watched Adolescence? What are your thoughts? Let’s start the conversation in the comments.
Teen Slang Explained: What Parents Need to Know About the Language of Adolescence
In Adolescence, teens use a variety of online slang and subculture terms that may seem confusing—or even concerning—to parents. Understanding this language is crucial to recognising the challenges young people face today, particularly when it comes to toxic online communities, misogyny, and self-esteem issues.
Here’s a breakdown of some key terms used in the show, so you can stay informed and support your teen effectively:
Incel – Short for “involuntary celibate,” referring to men who believe they are unable to find a romantic or sexual partner. The term has become associated with online communities that foster resentment towards women and society.
Chad & Stacy – “Chad” refers to an attractive, confident man who is effortlessly successful with women. “Stacy” is the female equivalent, often portrayed as shallow or out of reach. These terms fuel feelings of resentment among those who feel excluded from mainstream dating norms.
Blackpill – A deeply pessimistic belief that attractiveness and genetics determine one’s fate, making self-improvement or relationships feel pointless. It’s a mindset that can lead to hopelessness and extreme online behaviour.
Looksmaxxing – The idea that changing one’s appearance (through grooming, fashion, or even surgery) is the only way to improve one’s chances in love or life.
Roastie – A highly offensive and misogynistic term used to degrade women, particularly those who are sexually active.
LDAR (“Lie Down and Rot”) – A phrase expressing extreme hopelessness, used by those who feel they have no future.
Cope – Used sarcastically to dismiss someone’s attempts to improve themselves, implying they are simply trying to “cope” with their shortcomings rather than accepting reality.
Ascend – Escaping involuntary celibacy, typically through self-improvement or finally finding a partner. Many in these communities see this as nearly impossible, reinforcing their negative worldview.
Why This Matters for Parents
Many of these terms reflect toxic, misogynistic, and deeply negative worldviews that young people may be exposed to online. While some teens use these phrases casually, others may be drawn into dangerous communities that promote self-hatred, isolation, and even violence.
Adolescence does an important job of exposing these harsh realities. As parents, the best way to protect and guide your child is through open, judgment-free conversations about what they see and hear online.
Have you heard your teen using any of these terms? What are your thoughts on how social media influences their worldview? Let’s discuss in the comments.
