It is no secret that teen shows have an unrealistic portrayal of the teenage experience and what it’s like for a high school student. In shows such as Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl and Riverdale, they tell the story of teenagers involved in crazy scandals, solving crime mysteries, hooking up, and doing wild and illegal things but still getting away with it at the end. All while still being able to pass and attend their classes.
In reality, high school is a lot less thrilling and has a lot more homework. And even though no one is expecting high school to be as drama filled or unrealistic as Riverdale presents it as, it is mostly for the drama and it keeps us entertained as viewers. However, there are still negative connotations that may cause young viewers to think they have to look and dress a certain way.
“Hollywood sets children’s shows with adults who are well past college and gives the impression to some children that this is what they’re supposed to look like. Of course, if you’re able to find the actor that you need and they happen to be older than you, do what you must, but most shows have the adults and teachers looking the same age,” sophomore computer science major, Josiah Mugabe says about how teenagers in these teen shows look nothing like real teenagers.
Often, actors who are cast as teens in these shows range from their early to late twenties. Mugabe suggests changing the characters ages in the show.
“If you’re going to get older actors, then selecting people who look their claimed age would be appreciated or find younger actors,” Mugabe said.
Junior psychology major, Rebecca Causey notes the tone of how students act in teen shows is also an unrealistic portrayal of teens as well.
“I definitely think the media presents unrealistic expectations for how teenagers should act. It makes them seem like they should behave more maturely than they actually should, making them rush into choices or activities that they may not actually be ready for.”
In many teenage t.v. shows they portray teenagers having sex, throwing wild parties, doing drugs, and getting into crazy schemes. Although activities like this aren’t completely unheard of in high school, they are often glamorized in many of these shows.
High school students are more often than not, inexperienced, and television shows can negatively portray that at that age, you can have it all figured out. One suggestion that would probably work well is to set these teen drama shows in college. In college, more students are beginning their independence for the first time while they’re a little more grown, and more experienced. Also, viewers may relate to a college themed show more than a high school one.
“I think a college show would be really interesting, especially since college includes so many different people. I think there are not as many stereotypes for college students as there are for high school students. I probably would enjoy them more than teen shows because I could relate to them more now,” Causey said.
Mugabe also shared the same sentiment, “I would like it more because it seems more appropriate, No high schooler should be dealing with murders and demons (speaking on the storylines of Riverdale.) and still have to manage normality. Or have their own speakeasy (once again Riverdale,) under their own name considering they don’t even have their diploma.”
Graphic by Katelyn Miller
