The real purpose of Adolescence

TV show priming public for military conscription

- NIALL McCRAE

EVERYONE was talking about the Netflix drama Adolescence in April, including an impressive collection of experts and the Prime Minister – and that was the intent.

My daughter’s high school has been sending emails to parents about the importance of this show, and how teachers and parents should take the warnings very seriously.

Such sudden institutional reaction to a slice of televised fiction should leave you in no doubt: Adolescence is a government psy-op.

But what is the real purpose of terrifying teenagers, parents and the general public about adolescent volatility? An obvious theme is demonising and demoralising males.

The notion of toxic masculinity is pushed in schools and universities, with the controversial figure of Andrew Tate as pantomime villain. This is how the establishment controls the masses – any resistance to unpopular policies is smeared by associating critics with extreme views and a vilified character.

Thus, Adolescence reinforces the idea that men and boys need discipline, as they are prone to aggressive and abusive behaviour. This links to a second and more serious implication of Adolescence: censorship.