smh.com.au
Adolescence" Sparks Debate Amidst Soaring Australian Male Violence
Netflix's "Adolescence" depicts a 13-year-old murderer, sparking debate about its educational use amidst over 100 Australian female and child deaths from male violence in 2024, prompting the creation of the "Ask A Mate" app offering advice from positive male role models.
- How does "Adolescence" connect to broader discussions about the impact of social media, toxic masculinity, and online influencers on young men?
- The show explores societal issues like toxic masculinity and the influence of online figures like Andrew Tate, prompting discussions about how to address the root causes of gender-based violence. The high number of deaths caused by male violence in Australia underscores the urgency of preventative action, and the show's controversial use in schools reflects this. Ask A Mate, a new app, provides an alternative by offering advice from positive male role models.
- What are the immediate societal impacts of male violence in Australia, and how does the debate surrounding the Netflix series "Adolescence" reflect this?
- Adolescence", a Netflix series depicting a 13-year-old who murdered his classmate, has sparked debate about its use in UK and Australian schools. Over 100 women and children have been killed in Australia this year due to male violence, highlighting the need for preventative measures. Prime Ministers Starmer and Albanese respectively support and urge viewing of the show.
- What are the potential long-term effects of using the "Ask A Mate" app to address violence prevention, and what challenges might it face in achieving its goals?
- Ask A Mate offers a potential solution by leveraging the influence of popular figures to reach young men with crucial information about healthy relationships, consent, and violence prevention. The app's success hinges on its ability to overcome the negative influence of online figures and provide accessible, relatable resources for young people. This approach could shape future violence prevention strategies by focusing on positive engagement.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the discussion around the Netflix show "Adolescence" and the need for intervention to address issues of toxic masculinity and gender-based violence. While acknowledging potential concerns about showing the show in schools, the overall framing leans towards emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues and highlighting the positive aspects of the "Ask A Mate" app as a solution. The headline and introduction subtly guide the reader towards a positive view of the app, potentially overshadowing potential drawbacks or limitations of the app, or other solutions.
Language Bias
While generally neutral in tone, the article uses strong emotive language such as "brutal murder" and "dangerous online figures" which could be seen as potentially influencing the reader's perception. The descriptions of Andrew Tate as a "self-proclaimed misogynist and convicted rapist" are factually accurate but could be perceived as loaded language. More neutral alternatives might include phrases like "controversial online figure" or "individual with a history of misogynistic statements and a conviction for rape." The repeated references to the show as "compelling viewing" subtly influences the reader towards a positive evaluation of the show itself.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the Netflix show "Adolescence" and its potential impact, but omits discussion of alternative approaches or existing programs for addressing the issues of toxic masculinity, misogyny, and gender-based violence. It also doesn't delve into the potential negative consequences of the show's graphic content, particularly for vulnerable viewers. While acknowledging the high number of women and children killed due to male violence, it lacks statistical data or comparative analysis to contextualize the scope of the problem and the effectiveness of current preventative measures. The omission of alternative viewpoints on the show's suitability for classroom use beyond the author's stated position could be considered a bias by omission. The article could benefit from including perspectives from educators, child psychologists, or representatives from organizations working with at-risk youth.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the debate around showing "Adolescence" in schools as a simple eitheor proposition: either show it and risk potential harm, or don't show it and miss a valuable opportunity. It overlooks more nuanced approaches, such as carefully curated screenings with follow-up discussions led by trained professionals. The article also presents Ask A Mate as the only effective solution to the problem of young men accessing harmful online content, ignoring other potential strategies or interventions.
Gender Bias
The article focuses primarily on the experiences and perspectives of men and boys, particularly in relation to the influence of harmful online content and the development of the "Ask A Mate" app. While it acknowledges the devastating impact of male violence on women and children, the analysis is heavily weighted towards addressing the problem from a male perspective. The article could benefit from a more balanced representation of female voices and perspectives on these issues.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the issue of gender-based violence and explores initiatives to address it, such as the Ask A Mate app. The app aims to provide young men with positive role models and resources to learn about healthy relationships, consent, and how to challenge harmful attitudes towards women. This directly contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. The discussion of the Netflix series "Adolescence" also indirectly contributes by raising awareness of issues such as toxic masculinity and misogyny, which are key drivers of gender inequality.