Two researchers from the State University of Ohio and the University of Indiana were interested in fifty-three films intended for adolescents, released between 2012 and 2021. By analyzing certain emblematic works such as Lady Bird,, Our contrary stars or Percy Jacksonthe duo noted a distorted portrait of adolescence and an almost lack of representation of bodily developments linked to puberty.
Among the twenty-eight main heroines studied, only two evoke the development of the chest, only four tackle the subject of the rules, notes the American online media Futurism. Furthermore, none of the characters approach growth pushes or vocal transformations generally associated with adolescence. A regrettable absence that could harm teenagers.
The love aspect, on the other hand, occupies a preponderant place in the stories analyzed … but not necessarily in a very realistic way. Published on June 20 in the journal Journal of Children and Media, the study in question lists more than 1,400 romantic scenes, with a romantic realization rate of almost 80% for the main protagonists.
Intended to make dream, this idealized representation hardly reflects the reality of the first adolescent emotions, often imbued with hesitation, clumsiness, even rejection. This discrepancy can generate a feeling of inadequacy among spectators, especially among young people who do not yet have the necessary perspective to distinguish fiction from reality.
The need for a renewed look
Unlike adults, adolescents, in full identity construction, are particularly sensitive to these images and likely to compare their own experiences to those of characters on the screen. The gap between the proposed fiction and the lived reality can thus generate frustration and a lack of self -confidence.
According to Kate Stewart, doctoral student at the Ohio State University and the main author of the study, the objective is not to point the finger or condemn the content creators, but to highlight the existence of a permanent gap between the reality of young people and the image conveyed by the films intended for them. “It is a strange disconnection with the two great pillars of adolescence: physical transformations and emotional life”,, Analysis the American researcher. According to her, it would be essential to tackle all the subjects linked to puberty “In a reassuring, informative and without taboo” in film production for adolescents.
Kate Stewart also specifies that “These representations shape expectations. When reality does not coincide with what is shown on the screen, young people can feel out of step, late in their evolution, or simply consider themselves insufficient. ” A paradox even when generations Z and Alpha demand more authentic and representative stories in Hollywood.
The study authors hope that the film studios will be able to learn from these results. “By highlighting these inconsistencies, our ambition is to develop media representations and to better understand what adolescents retain their experiences as spectators”advance Kate Stewart. We can only advise American teens to watch the film The beautiful kids (2009), from Riad Sattouf, much more realistic.
