Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens 224: Encore: Lessons from Netflix's "Adolescence"
Jun 17, 2025
Discover the emotional complexities faced by teen boys as they navigate societal pressures and masculinity. Delve into the vital role of father-son relationships in fostering emotional awareness and identity. Explore how media influences conversations about adolescent challenges, and learn the importance of setting healthy tech boundaries. The discussion also highlights the interconnected experiences of boys and girls facing toxic content, emphasizing the need for supportive role models to guide them through turbulent times.
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Limited Male Emotional Expression
- Boys and men are often restricted to expressing only anger or pleasure at someone else's expense emotionally.
- Girls and women enjoy a broad emotional range, while boys face societal policing limiting their emotional expression.
Middle School Boys' Vulnerability
- Middle school boys often feel small and humiliated, impacting their self-worth deeply.
- This vulnerability makes them susceptible to toxic figures like Andrew Tate promising to help them "feel big."
Personal Reaction to Show
- Reena Ninan found watching the show painful because her son is the same age as the main character.
- She saw many relatable challenges her son faces in the depiction of the adolescent boy.
