Degrassi (TeenNick)

It's basically a teenage soap opera. While most of the time it's a very intriguing show, the plot can get repetitive and you can only do so much with the same characters which is why we've had several of the main characters graduate and new 'grade nines' come in and take their place. There are some episodes that still scare me, like the school shooting, J.T. dying, (I bawled my eyes out both episodes.) rape, pedophiles, murder, sex, drugs, everything you could ever think of. For every bad role model, they have a good one. And for every traumatizing situation a character gets themselves into, they can always seem to turn it around. Or die. That's Degrassi, it's about to get real.

Many will advocate for the show, claiming that the depictions of such off-color and "gritty" themes as drugs and sex are "realistic". I think otherwise. While there are occasional consequences for actions, the simple fact that the show is depicting such drama at all as a means for entertainment is what's truly disturbing. This show is not educational in a realistic way. Many parents are getting confused, thinking that this show, meant for the entertainment of teenagers, has an educational undertone. The kids are not watching the show to learn that sex is wrong, or that drugs are bad -- on the contrary, they will be watching to see these depictions of sex and drugs. The drama in the show enraptures its audience, yes, but it's that same dramatic overtone that teenagers may be seeking out. They could see the drama brought on by such actions depicted on the show, and feel compelled to add that 'enriching' drama to their own lives by following suit. Let us not forget the 'invincibility fable', which states that young people feel that dangerous behaviors and actions won't have the same, or any, consequences for them. Those who advocate that the show is educational for teens, let alone appropriate, assume that teens who see the consequences of sex and drugs will be less likely to emulate, when the opposite is true. When teens, who often are plagued by the invincibility fable, watch such material, the likelihood of emulation is increased. Their peaked curiosity in the show's material combined with the innate feelings that tell them, "that won't happen to me; I'm different," leave the door open for the teen to replicate what they witness. Don't be fooled by parents who state that the show is educational or appropriate. It isn't true. Such subject matter should be taught at length in a constructive manner by caretakers, one-on-one, not by relying on this skewed show to teach them the "realities of the world".

Not sure why people would pay for child pornography when this on our childrens channel!!

Really don't like this show. Too sexual, too much drug usage and drinking. Ok so there might be some consequences for their actions, but I think it puts too many ideas in kids heads and there's too many younger teens sucked into it.

It's basically about teens dealing with drama and doing their best to handle it. But there's some bad decisions made. Teen sex, pregnancy, drugs and sometimes fights. But in the end, they graduate and begin their lives. J.T. was stabbed by a Lakehurst student, and there was some blood making it violent. Liberty,Jenna and Manny ended up in teen pregnancy. Teen drinking, Mia had a kid at 13.

I loved all the seasons and my Grade 7 Sante/Health teacher gets us to watch this during class

It's a great show. There might be some issues that people don't like but that's their own person opinion. It covers so many issues that teens may have to face and it all ends reasonably. It's realistic! I mean, how many shows out there actually show characters engaging in real-life situations without sugar-coating them? Degrassi is one of the few that pre-teenagers and teenagers will actually enjoy watching. For parents that say that this show is disgusting or whatever, that's high school these days. High school is about all of this. You guys are focusing on the wrong aspect of the show. It's not because a chick gets an abortion or because someone tries to sell drugs, but what about the consequences of these actions? It teaches children that they should watch out, and be wary that they don't engage in acts as such. The show just simply displays situations that may happen to a teenager. You can relate to it easily. It's a wake up call for kids who are about to enter middle school or high school. And as a 10th grade student, I can seriously look at the show and say, "Oh yeah, I remember that happening." I know so many people that watch this show. But you really shouldn't be under the age of 11 when watching this show. There are some violent situations where I couldn't handle as a fourteen-year-old on the show. Seriously, I had to change the channel. It's not a bad show. That's the misunderstanding. Degrassi's great :D

I watch the show when I can or nothing else better is on but I think we need children to learn about this kind of stuff at an early age so they arn't confused and ashamed as they grow older. I don't think it's that inapropriate... I mean, the only channel I find it on is TEENnick... Notice the fact it's for TEENS?