Timmerie addresses a show that you might want to steer clear of: Netflix’s new series Adolescence, which explores the crisis of boys today. It’s based on a story of a 13-year-old boy, Jamie, who murders a classmate after being rejected. Yes, that’s the plot, and the show tries to explore why he did it: including his deep hurt from bullying, the isolation of modern boys, and impurity.
Timmerie’s big takeaway is that this show is part of the problem, not the solution. We’ve become so desensitized to disturbing content that we keep craving something more shocking. But what’s really chilling is that the show nails one thing: Boys are very much hurting. Badly. And the culture is not making it any better.
Some of the content, while important to talk about, may not be appropriate for sensitive ears.
The Crisis of Boys:
Jamie’s character reveals a lot about the struggles young boys face today: isolation, lack of real relationships, confusion over identity, and being glued to screens. Pornography comes up in the third episode, and it’s clear it has wrecked his ability to form healthy relationships or even see himself properly.
What’s Making This Worse:
-The “Incel” culture: radicalized online communities of isolated men.
-A society where boys are constantly told they’re “toxic” just for being themselves.
-A school system that’s not built for them (sit still, be quiet, don’t move… yeah, no).
-Being over-medicated and told their natural energy is a “problem.”
What Parents Can Do (According to Timmerie):
-Tech Lockdown: Cut down on screen time. Seriously. Let kids be bored, climb trees, get dirty, and create stories with their imagination.
-Real Interaction: Kids need real FaceTime: like playing outside, talking with adults, hanging out with friends… not just scrolling through TikTok.
-Empathy and Faith: The number one thing that keeps kids away from porn is developing empathy. Guess what builds empathy? Faith and good moral values.
-More Time with Parents: Kids can’t just get the leftover part of your time. They need the real deal, every single day. And yes, that’s exhausting, but it matters.
-Parent Watchfulness: You’ve gotta be there to notice the little things. A lot of the damage happens when kids are left alone with screens.
Timmerie raves about the work of Erica Komisar: particularly her books about raising resilient children by being there for them. No shortcuts. No outsourcing. Just being present.
The Faith Angle:
Timmerie explains why sending your children to Catholic school and going to Mass on Sundays is just the bare minimum. It’s about living the faith daily, praying with your kids, and building a strong foundation of grace and virtue.
The popularity of this Netflix show is just another warning sign. We’re addicted to the messed-up stuff because we’ve let it seep into our culture. The solution? Get your kids off screens, outside, and surrounded by loving, intentional parenting.
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