Current Event II.

13 Reasons Why
Netflix recently released new series called  "13 Reasons Why" which is based on Jay Asher's bestseller and co-produced by a famous actress Selena Gomez. The main purpose of this project is to share a message about being kinder to one another and ask for help if needed. However suicide experts do say, that this good intention can do more harm than good. The plot is about a young girl Hannah Baker who commits suicide and leaves audiotapes explaining what led her to this terrible act. In each tape, Hannah blames her act on the bahavior of her classmates and a member of faculty.
Controversy
On one hand, the producers of the series point out, that this show is supposed to bring awarness and make people talk about suicide more. As a co-producer Selena Gomez said herself: “I just wanted it to come across in a way that kids would be frightened, but confused ― in a way that they would talk about it because it’s something that’s happening all the time. So, I’m overwhelmed that it’s doing as well as it’s doing.” (Blickley, 2017). Even though there is a good intention behind it, some people, experts and even governments disagree. For example, New Zealand banned young adults under the age of 18 of watching the series without an adult. The main reason is the fact, that it "glorified suicide and could prompt copycats" (Roy, 2017). Another asociation called "Suicide Awarness Voices of Education" (SAVE) stated that it has been receiving calls from the schools and parents being worried about the show. The executive director of SAVE mentioned: “There is a great amount of concern in the suicide prevention community around this series,” (Butler, 2017).

Moreover, the former Disney star Selena Gomez contributed to the popularity of the series. She openly talks about the show and even recorded a 30-minute featurette “Beyond the Reasons” where she explains: “We wanted to do in a way where it was honest and we wanted to make something that can hopefully help people because suicide should never ever be an option,” (Butler, 2017). Gomez herself faced mental-health problems and sought treatment in a rehab facility. It is questionable what is going to be the real impact of these series and whether it is actually going to raise awarness about the issue of suicide or it is going to do more harm to young adults.


Sources:
Roy, E. A. (2017). 13 Reasons why: New Zealand bans under-18s from watching suicide drama without adult. The Guardian.
Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/28/13-reasons-why-new-zealand-bans-under-18s-from-watching-suicide-drama-without-adult

Butler, B. (2017). 13 Reasons Why depicts a graphic suicide. Experts say there’s a problem with that. The Washington Post.
Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/04/14/the-problem-with-how-13-reasons-why-treats-suicide/?utm_term=.abf820d06f6d

Blickley, L. (2017). Selena Gomez stands behind ‘13 Reasons Why’ amid controversy. Huffington Post.
Retrieved from:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/selena-gomez-stands-behind-13-reasons-why-amid-controversy_us_59033556e4b05c39767df371

Comments

  1. SideBViewMay 8, 2017 at 2:55 AM

    The controversy around this show is understandable, Im still not sure about supporting this show or not but still I think it is a good thing that it is making people to talk about the topic that we as society would rather keep in low profile otherwise although teenagers suicides is a contemporary issue in our society.
    Hopefully it will set a starting point that would make us more aware about the problem and with it we would be able to offer the proper to those in need.

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