You’re on your bed, getting ready to watch a cute coming-of-age show. You’ve got a drink and some popcorn ready. When the show loads there’s a middle-aged woman on your screen partying and participating in drugs. You assume she must be a side character, or perhaps a family member of the protagonist. Nevertheless, that is not the case. As it turns out, the middle-aged woman taking drugs, committing crimes, and engaging in adult-like activities is the main character. 

Popular TV shows such as Euphoria, Riverdale, and Never Have I Ever are not relatable or relevant to teens. These programs are premised on the idea that all teenagers stay out the whole night partying, pop pills like candy, smoke like there’s no tomorrow, and have complex romantic lives. 

As teenagers, we will face drug use, illegal activity, and heartbreak. However, it doesn’t take up our entire life; nor are these activities as relevant as the media makes it out to be. We also face obstacles such as jobs, non-romantic relationships, college applications, and school work. Are these key aspects of adolescence highlighted in the lives of characters meant to portray us? Absolutely not. The majority of the time, these TV shows and movies do not include the basic challenges we have while in high school. 

Young adults, such as ourselves, go through many changes during this time in our lives. We are learning new responsibilities, how to survive as an adult, maintain good standing with one’s job, school work, bills, and simply growing up. It is rare to find a TV show consisting of these activities. 

Instead, they are unrealistic fictional ideas of what our generation is, and this has been the case for quite some time. The years have gone by, and the plots aren’t getting better. Creators label these shows and movies as relatable and coming-of-age, but the truth is, young adults cannot relate to them. 

Content creators and directors should take advice from the author and director of The Perks of Being A Wallflower. Based on the bestselling book, this movie visually depicts problems such as trauma, abuse, growing up, and mental health. While only a mere two hours or so, it still touches on more important topics than most films currently. 

The characters in this film are relatable and can be understood easily through a teenager’s eyes. They are involved with alcohol and drug substances, but they do not go out every night nor do they let it take over their lives. These characters are facing problems much more complicated and diverse than a majority of the characters on television shows now. 

The Perks of Being A Wallflower is a relatable coming-of-age story that most teenagers are looking for. It is one of not many films that contain these aspects. 

The question stands: Are there any shows/movies based on teenagers you can think of that are relatable? 

Feel free to comment below and offer further examples of media that accurately depict our high school-aged generation!