Parent Smarter, Not Harder

Parent Smarter, Not Harder

The Two Problems with Netflix’s Adolescence

How a critically acclaimed show feeds our parenting panic culture and undermines teen autonomy

Emily Edlynn's avatar
Emily Edlynn
May 21, 2025
∙ Paid

My husband and I are the first people I know to dislike Netflix’s most buzzed about show this year, Adolescence.1

When I first saw it pop up on my Netflix screen, the plot summary assured me I didn’t want to watch it. Friends texted about how well-done the show was. A podcast invited me to participate in a panel to respond to the show. The think pieces st…

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