Euphoria, a new HBO series that reimagines the Israeli series of the same name, captures the realities of being a teenager in the late 2010s. The show is gritty, controversial, and highly acclaimed. ..
Euphoria is a series that gets right what it’s like to be a modern teen, but it gets wrong on some key points.
The Sober Generation
Despite its masterful interweaving of an array of compelling narratives deriving from this talented ensemble cast, it’s the addiction story of the young omniscient narrator, Rue, strikingly portrayed by Zendaya, that is the series’ central focus.
Many young characters in the show use drugs and alcohol. This has drawn criticism. ..
Critics of the “D.A.R.E.” series have accused it of glamorizing underage drug and alcohol use, with some accusing the organization of being a front for drug cartels.
Euphoria is a novel that follows the lives of teenagers who get drunk and high on a regular basis. This makes it different from other novels that focus on teens. In fact, the gulf between fiction and reality can be found in Euphoria’s storylines.
While there is no doubt that substance abuse has been prevalent among teenagers for generations, with Gen Z proving no exception, there is also mounting evidence that this generation may, in fact, be more sober than its predecessors. This is due in part to the rise of digital detoxification and the availability of information and resources that can help young people overcome addiction.
According to a recent study, drinking among Gen Z has dropped precipitously in recent years. This seems to reflect and reinforce the sobriety trend in America and around the globe, as ever-increasing numbers of adults and teens begin to grapple with their addiction and seek new paths free of dependency. ..
Expressions of Queerness & the Lack of a “Coming Out” Story
Rue’s struggles with addiction may be important, but her love story with Jules, a trans female powerfully portrayed by trans model, actress, and activist, Hunter Schafer, is even more important.
The love triangle between Rue, Jules, and Jules’ sometimes paramour, Elliot reflects the fluidity of both gender identity and sexual orientation that appears to be a prevalent feature of Gen Z.
The study found that while more members of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ+, they are also more likely to identify as gender and sexuality fluid. This is in contrast to previous generations, who were more likely to identify with one gender or the other.
This generation of millennials is more fluid and undefined than previous ones, and their “coming out” story is not a time of transition into a new identity but rather an ongoing process of redefining who they are.
This appears to be well-represented in Euphoria not only in Jules’ transition story but also in her polyamorous relationships with both biological females and biological males.
Teens’ Online Exposure to Sexual Content and Sex Work
Euphoria is a series that follows the lives of young adults who are deeply embedded in a world saturated by online pornography and sexual exploitation. The series represents the characters as being deeply an inextricably immersed in this world.
These characters live in a world where revenge porn, “dick pics,” and online fetish sites are just as normal and commonplace as girly magazines and Harlequin romances were to previous generations.
Indeed, the characters in the film seem to take a laissez-faire view of online pornography, viewing their own online sexual exploitation as an inevitability rather than a question of whether it will happen. ..
The characters in this novel seem to be expecting something to happen with regards to online porn. Whether it’s the subject of a revenge porn video, someone receiving sexual solicitations online, or the producer of fetish videos featuring themselves or their friends, these characters seem to be expecting something to happen.
However, a recent study by the Pew Research Center found that only about one-in-ten American teens say they have seen or heard something online that made them feel uncomfortable or scared. And while social media can be a source of anxiety for some teens, it is not the only one. Sexual content and solicitation are highly prevalent online, but according to a recent study by Pew Research Center, only about one in ten American teens have seen or heard something online that made them feel uncomfortable or scared. ..
According to a recent study, approximately 20% of children aged 17 and younger have been exposed to unwanted sexual materials online, while just over 10% have been sexually solicited online.
According to a recent study by the dating app Tinder, most teens are using online dating apps to find romantic partners. The study found that most teens are looking for someone they can talk to and not someone they have to see in person.
The Absence of Parental Authority
Euphoria is a new show on HBO that has been drawing criticism from parents for its portrayal of teenage life. The show follows the lives of a group of teenagers in their early twenties and their seemingly lack of parental authority. ..
As teenagers begin to separate from their parents, they often experience a range of emotions and sensations that their parents may never have experienced. For example, teenagers may feel free to express themselves more freely and be more independent than they have ever done before. They may also feel more connected to others and less alone.
The article discusses the difficulties parents face when their teens are experiencing euphoria. The author describes how parents often grapple with many of the same issues that are plaguing their children, such as addiction, trauma, and sexual and domestic violence.
Euphoria’s reporting on the separation between parents and teens is accurate, but there are some good aspects to the situation. Many teens are living multiple lives, some of which their parents don’t know about.
The internet provides a robust and often addicting platform for subverting the status quo, cultivating an identity, and building a digital life in defiance of societal (and parental) norms and expectations. This makes Generation Z largely unknowable. ..
Despite what Euphoria’s poignant plotlines might suggest, parents are not completely check out when it comes to their teenagers.
As the world becomes increasingly chaotic, it seems that the power of family dinner conversations is still very much alive. This can be seen in the increasing interest that families are taking to cultivating their family dinner rituals. ..
This trend is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing cost of living and the need for more space to cook and socialize. Some designers are creating spaces that are both comfortable and inviting, while others are focusing on creating a cohesive design that will make family gatherings feel like a special event.
The Takeaway
The acclaim and controversy surrounding Euphoria are well-earned. The film is a stark, haunting, and often deeply disturbing look into the lives of teenagers today.
The series gets a lot right about the rising generation, but there are also some things that are either grossly exaggerated or, conversely, deceptively oversimplified.
Euphoria is a teen drama that portrays adolescents in a positive light. I perceive the show’s depiction of adolescents as accurate and positive. I would like to hear your thoughts on this in the comments below. ..
