I forgot to post this one in March when I drafted it! Everyone, pretend you already saw it in March! 😅

Netflix’s popular new 4-episode show, Adolescence, is being hailed as a masterpiece in unveiling incel culture in young boys. And I agree, it is a brilliant performance by talented actors, and it is well-filmed, with each hour -long episode being filmed in one shot.

But even the show’s male producer, Stephen Graham, doesn’t seem to understand how his own misogyny creeps into his performance as Jamie’s father on the show.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Graham claims that his character is just an ordinary Dad, “a hard-working man” who works long hours.

“I didn’t want him to be a violent dad who would raise his hand to his children,” says Graham.

So why do we see this supposedly non-violent male character, being abusive against his wife and children throughout the series, before he violently attacks a young man in public in episode 4?

If this is what the “good guys” think makes a good father… If this is the type of non-violent man who “couldn’t stop” his son from becoming a murder?

Or – more likely – is this series just one more example of a man looking for someone else to blame for men’s violence?

In fact, social media itself isn’t the only scapegoat in this series.

Katie, the girl who was brutally murdered by Jamie, is blamed for her own death.

The detectives and Jamie’s family claimed Katie was “bullying” Jamie, when all she really did was say “no” when he asked her to go out with him, and posting a single emoji – albeit loaded with meaning – on one of Jamie’s posts.

Yes, and this gets cleared up fairly early in the series: In Episode 1, CCTV footage shows Jamie and Katie in an altercation. She pushes him, and he pushes her, and then he stabs her repeatedly.

What’s being said on the internet is not new. This was first all said in grumbling tones by men at the pub, and then shouted at women when those men stumbled home.

Social media isn’t the problem.

Men’s violence is.

Take action against men’s violence today:

• Sign the petition to the federal government petition to STOP abusers from suing victims who dare to report to police or speak up to warn others.
• Donate to frontline services who are actively helping women and children leave – and stay out of – violent relationships. I recommend DVConnect for their crisis helpline, RizeUp Australia for providing accommodation and emergency furniture, BRISSC for free counselling and art therapy, and Women’s Health and Equality Qld (WHEQ) for community events and education.
• Loudly disagree whenever you hear victim-blaming language. (No matter who’s saying it!)
• Hold boys accountable whenever they hurt girls or women.

Stay safe, friends. xx TJ