Netflix And Their Love For Male Violence
Netflix’s Adolescence and the Rise of Male Violence: How Netflix’s Controversial Series Reflects a Troubling Reality
By Ximena Rodríguez-López
Brooklyn, NY - Netflix’s recent miniseries, Adolescence, has ignited significant discussion due to its portrayal of a young boy’s violent act against a female classmate. The series centers on 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the brutal murder of his peer, Katie Leonard. Through its narrative, the show delves into the dark corridors of toxic masculinity and the radicalization of young boys within online “incel” communities. While Adolescence aims to shed light on the pernicious effects of these subcultures, it inadvertently risks perpetuating the very violence it seeks to critique.
By focusing intensely on the perpetrator’s perspective, the series may desensitize viewers to the gravity of violence against young girls, reducing their suffering to mere plot devices. This narrative choice can overshadow the victim’s humanity, making the violence seem like an inevitable outcome rather than a preventable tragedy. Rather than offering a balanced critique, Adolescence falls into the troubling pattern of media that fixates on the psychology of male aggressors while failing to honor the experiences of their victims. This is a harmful oversight, especially in a time when violence against women and girls is on the rise.
The correlation between Adolescence and real-world incidents of male violence cannot be ignored, particularly in Australia, where concerns over the radicalization of young boys have been escalating. Reports have highlighted a disturbing trend: an increasing number of teenage boys are being influenced by misogynistic online figures such as Andrew Tate, who promotes aggressive, anti-feminist rhetoric under the guise of “self-improvement.” Studies have shown that Tate’s content has gained traction among boys as young as 11, shaping their perceptions of masculinity in deeply harmful ways. By consuming his messages, these boys are taught that dominance over women is a virtue and that violence is an acceptable assertion of power.
In Australia, this growing influence is having real consequences. Schools are reporting a rise in sexist behavior, with teachers struggling to counteract the effects of extremist content that glamorizes male control and aggression. This culture of misogyny has been linked to an increase in sex-based violence, with recent high-profile cases underscoring the urgency of the issue. Boys radicalized by such content are not just engaging in online debates; they are carrying these toxic ideologies into the real world, where young girls are the ones paying the price.
While Adolescence attempts to explore the dangers of these online subcultures, its execution is flawed. By depicting Jamie Miller’s radicalization and crime without providing sufficient emphasis on the broader societal mechanisms that allow such extremism to thrive, the show risks reinforcing the narrative that violent male behavior is simply an unfortunate but inevitable part of adolescence. This is not only misleading but deeply dangerous.
The media has a responsibility to portray these issues in a way that fosters awareness without inadvertently glorifying or excusing male violence. Instead of focusing predominantly on the perpetrator, storytelling should shift toward the survivors, the systems that enable these violent acts, and the solutions that could prevent future tragedies. Addressing male radicalization requires a multifaceted approach—one that involves schools, parents, policymakers, and digital platforms actively working to dismantle harmful ideologies before they take root in young minds.
Ultimately, Adolescence exposes a deeply troubling reality but does little to counteract it. As violence against young girls continues to rise, particularly in environments where misogynistic figures like Andrew Tate hold influence, we must demand more from media, education, and policymakers. This is not just a fictional story—it is a reflection of a growing crisis that demands immediate and meaningful action.
