I am usually anti-netflix. I believe much of their content is designed to be anti-family and degenerate. People are more likely to watch drama that is dramatic, sexual, and it is always easier to make controversial stories, than make an objectively high quality movie. There is a danger that it can influence viewers decisions in their own lives and shape our culture. To perform at a high level, it is important to carefully manage your inputs and what you are teaching and feeding your self.
I was quite impressed by the series in the aspect of filming. Each episode was shot in one long scene without any cutting. I have to admire the quality and level of filmmaking in the episode. The story was also engaging, and brought attention to an important topic.
Is the series an accurate reflection of reality? And which parts are? I have not lived in UK for over 15 years, but I can reflect on my own experience then, and what I’m seeing from students abroad, and my outside perspective from the higher education system globally.
There are a few themes that it brings up. Masculinity, and what does it mean to be a man? I’ve written up some thoughts here.
I do think that there is some messed up gender stereotypes that doesn’t make sense about masculinity, and part of it is coming from Netflix and our general media and society.
I believe young boys put an over-emphasis on girls, which is a distraction. I would be better to focus on self development.
I do not believe most people who are older than 40 or those who grew up without the internet are aware of the scale of pornography that young boys are consuming and how this is influencing them.
Sex and relationships is become something that is seen as a core driver by many boys. But when it is viewed that way, it is similar to a drug, like a form of cocaine, or heroin. An overemphasis on the physical act, because it makes you feel a certain way. Mens bodies and brains hijack them to make sex a primary goal, because traditionally, it is designed to drive behaviours that would make a man more successful and valuable to the group, and successful mating would result in successful relationships or offspring and spreading genes.
Modern hookup culture has removed the very sexual drive that can be channeled to make men more successful and valuable to the group, and the connection to having children.
Sex should not be a goal, it should be one of many positive aspects of a relationship.
Hookup culture is also a behaviour that is shaping society and boys, and is not good for boys, or girls. It would be better if society were more conservative.
The plight of boys in education, and how girls do better in exams and are almost 50% more likely to get into university. (All UK universities – 57.2% female and 42.5% male), source. I don’t know in enough details the reasons for why there are fewer male students, and even if it’s a problem. It has been said that girls do better at high school, as they mature earlier, than boys. They may be more conscientious and show up, and do homework on time. Boys have other diversions on their mind.
Is it better to have mixed schools or same sex? Should we be equalising genders, so boys can get into university with lower grades? Are there advantages to having same gender education? It might have solved some of the issues that came up in the series, and it might be easier for boys to develop in the absence of girls, who might be more of a distraction. Instead, they can focus that energy on sport, or achievement.
