Reasons against ’13 Reasons Why’
May 3, 2017
The newly released TV show, “13 Reasons Why” has spread like a virus to nearly every teenager and young adult across the U.S. This show is based off of a teenage girl who moves to a new town and is looking for a fresh start, but instead the other teenagers at the local high school begin to impact her in some unforgettable ways. After a compilation of tragic events she decides she no longer wants to live.
The discussion of suicide has always been a touchy one. Nobody wants to overstep or say something wrong. Because of “13 Reasons Why,” many concerns and questions have been brought to the surface. Is it appropriate for a high schooler to watch someone kill him or herself? Will this send the wrong messages to kids? How will this show change the mindset of suicide for the young viewers?
Not only are these questions beginning to spread through school administration, but they are also making their way home to our parents. Emails from the local school districts are being drawn up and sent out to parents to enlighten them on this contentious show that many of their children have already viewed.
The reason that these informative measures are being taken is becuase “13 Reasons Why” has many controversial subjects. To name a few, the show implies that being bullied leads to someone committing suicide, it offers no knowledge on the psychological aspect of suicide, it does not give details on how to prevent suicide, it implies that suicide can enact revenge on people and it shows very traumatic scenes of a young girl commiting suicide.
Another concern is even though the show is considered fiction, do all of the young viewers truly understand this? The show is not rea. It merely is portraying how a young teenager dealt with her issues. Yes, suicide is wrong and nobody should ever take the measures to complete such an awful act, but it does happen.
Because of this show, suicide is at the top of every teenage or young adult mind. We should all hope that no one takes the show the wrong way or too seriously and commits an unretractable act.
