Should “Glee” Be Required Viewing for School Social Workers?
The program “Glee” might appear to be yet another light-hearted look at life in high school, but the Fox network program hits head on many of the social problems young people face. Episodes have focused on issues such as sexuality, body image and peer pressure. Do you think the show should be mandatory viewing for school social workers?
Check out other links on www.socialworkersspeak.org:
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I was very touched by the episode where they delt with coming out of the closet. LGBTQ issues are often times ignored on teen shows. They did a good job.
I think that the show is a must see for anyone! But yes the show does touch on a lot of issues that our teens are faced with in high school. Not to mention, the singing and dancing is awesome!!
I agree with Brad. I think that episode was fabulous, however all teens coming out of the closet may not have such a positive response from a parent. I think it does display hope at the same time, because teens may think their parent(s) will have a negative reaction and they may be pleasantly surprised. Furthermore, the show does a great job displaying status in high school and how it can change depending on what clubs/sports you are involved in. Wonderful show!
It should be required because it is so hilarious and entertaining – with some awesome social messages as a bonus.
I do not own a television, a computer or a cell phone in my home.
I admit that I love the show. The over-the-top characterizations of the students and teachers though hilarious at times, often exposes a reality about those precious years not often portrayed on TV. It is must viewing for anyone working with teens.
It sounds like it could be a highly educational viewing for any audience and especially pertinent for Social Workers. If NASW and Social Work leadership find this type of programming highly useful than Social Workers should be encouraged to view it. If we’re attempting to portray Social Work as an effective profession ie. a profession that can influence others is a positive and humanitarian way and we truly believe that then we don’t have to madate people to do anything. It reminds me of a fortune cookie I once got and read “Your Skill Can Accomplish What The Force Of Many Cannot!”
I love this show! Initially I was intrigued by the entertainment of singing and dancing, but I really like how the show highlights very real issues for teens today. I think it does a great job of reminding us (who may not be school social workers) how hard it can be to just be “yourself” in high school. The show addresses these issues respectfully and responsibly. I think Glee should be encouraged to watch, but I am not so sure it could be mandated.
I don’t think anyone should be watching FOX TV. It’s a pity Glee is on that network. It’s a good show.
I watched glee one time. I won’t watch it again. I promotes promiscuity and teen sex so I was disappointed. I work in a school setting and have working win a family planning clinic. There is no glee in abortion, sexual abuse and the abandonment that often follows sexual experimentation. A show can deal with issues without making them more attractive than they really are. For those who like to see GLBT stuff, they will promote it. I don’t think it should be required viewing any more than Law and Order.
I love this show. I believe the school worker is a little “different” but she always makes sure that focus does not leave the students. They seem to be very important to her.
Jimbo, I must admit I’m confounded by what you wrote. I am also a social worker and understand the complexities of working with youth today. But perhaps if you had seen more than one episode you would see that the show does not “promote” promiscuity. In no way does the show portray sex in a positive light nor did we see anyone in the act. In fact, the main character Finn is taking responsibility for a child he believes he helped create, even though he is still a virgin. If anything, this points to the lack of education teens have about sexuality and stresses the need for social workers/health workers in schools. (Abstinence does not work!! We’ve got to be practical) The show hardly makes high school pregnancy “more attractive than it really is,” which again you would know if you had watched more than one episode. The pregnant girl gets kicked off the cheerleading team, is ridiculed at school, and struggles with the emotional toll an unintended pregnancy takes on a young person. Talking about teen pregnancy and promoting it are two VERY different things.
Also, what did you mean by “for those who like to see GLBT stuff, they will promote it”? It sounds like you’re implying that by watching real life GLBTQ issues on tv, it will encourage others to be gay which is a ridiculous notion. Either you are or you aren’t, whether you’re open about it or not. Please clarify if I misunderstood you! I would hate to think that a licensed social worker is writing anti-gay sentiment.
I fell in love with the show when I first watched it. Not only because it’s entertaining, but the social issues depicted are parallel to real life situations.
yes , glee is wonderful because it appears a farce but it really show s how people can be . it reminds me of a MSW class where our professor said-look around the room- half of the people here suffer from mental illness and they are and will be your peers thru out your career. I think it presents the realities of being a teenage plus I love the dancing and singing also. I have bene a social worker 28 years and I think that you must find some fun in the human tragedy at times to stay in the business !
Should “House” or “Gray’s Anatomy” be required reading for physicians ?
There is something seriously wrong about all this. Did “Judge Judy” light a candle in the dark?
Please!!!!
really? i mean, it’s nice that they can talk about social issues and such, but the show also depicts stereotypes in a negative way. go figure that the gay kid on the show is highly effeminate. the black girl is portrayed in a hip-hop fashion solely. the quarterback is portrayed as incredibly dumb.
i don’t think i need to go. but really? let’s keep creating shows that showcase stereotypes? apparently.
This is a joke, right. I mean seriously. GLEE perpetuates just as many stereotypes than it attempts to dispel.
I cannot believe my annual NASW dues are going to fund this website.
http://www.socialworkersspeak.org
Such a waste of time and defiantly embarrassing.
I don’t think the question (title of this page) is meant to be taken seriously.
As a social worker I’m happy about this site. Unfortunately we live in a very trivial world and entertainment is a huge influence on most people (clients we serve and decision makers who determine how much they think our profession is worth). I’m happy that my membership dollars are being used to improve the image of social workers and giving us a place online to talk about shows and issues from a social work point of view.
“Glee” is certainly a step in the right direction when it comes to tv programing. But…”mandatory”? Hardly!
Perhaps some of the episodes would be useful in social work programs or other social awareness venues as a spring board for discussion.
I watched two episodes and found the show to be just more of the same–mean people, raunchy humor, material that really wasn’t even funny.
As a parent of young girls, I didn’t find any character who I would use as a role model; rather, the characters I saw were the antithesis of what I would want for them as they move into adolescence. It was so offensive on so many levels, I wouldn’t even subject them to watching it, even to show them what is wrong with today’s media.
To vote on whether this show is helpful to social workers, I would say no. What is redemptive about it? What is there that helps me in my clinical practice?
Would someone tell me when the show is aired? I see where it is on Fox TV but haven’t seen any promotions for it and have as yet to view the program. Thanks
Buz:
“Glee” returns to the airwaves Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, 8 p.m. Central. For more information on the program go to its official Web site (http://www.fox.com/glee/).
Greg Wright
Senior Public Relations Specialist
National Association of Social Workers
I enjoy Glee, as I think it showcases real differences between the “ins” and the “outs”. As o social worker of 10 years dealing with adolescents, these issues are very real. I think the show encourages teens to engage in help seeking behavior, however, I do wish the Guidance Counselor was called a Social Worker. Both jobs are extremely important, but there are pretty distinct differences. I also like the parallel that the students and adults are all coping with issues. I think the students I worked with saw adults as 2 dimensional at times, but the show expands on that.
I love the confidence of some of the student characters, I wish there was more of that in other actual high schools. Sometimes the show makes it look too easy to overcome peer pressure, but it might put a spark or plant a seed in a young person’s mind that they can truly be who they are.
Personal Bias- I believe that music and the arts are an incredible way for students to find their creative centers and expand, express and showcase talents. It is truly a self-esteem building activity and I am glad that the arts are featured in such a light.
I have been watching Glee since it started. I am concerned about the choir director who may be a sexual predator and it makes me sick to see how he weasels his way back into the school and to be around students. I guess in real life adults don’t want to believe and continue to set up children to be a a bad situation. I just wish it wasn’t in a format that could make us let likely to be repulsed and to do the right thing in getting those types of people out of the schools where they often lurk. I was surprised that nobody else seems to be bothered by that particular characterization, but then again I am a victim and that is what struck me first thing!
I would not go as far as saying that the show be a requirement for school social workers but it is definitely a true depiction of what students experience in high school.
This is a great show! It is light but addresses some important issues that we face with the population we practice with. Watching this show will be a tool for school social workers to re-evaluate what the pressing issues for adolescents are in this era.
Besides that, this show is AWESOME-TASTIC!!! Music and dance is a great way for people to express their talents, emotions and experiences. PSYCHODRAMA is the best! GLEE!
“And that is how Sue…C’s it!”
@ Katherine
In defense of Jimbo,
I for one am not a fan of the show. I watched about 5 minutes of it and almost puked. I’m not a fan of musicals and this is just one continuous cover song after another. But, I digress. I honestly don’t think that Jimbo was speaking in an anti-gay way at all (not that he/she needs defending). I read it as (and also believe for it to be) those that want to see more “glbt stuff” on mainstream television, “they will promote it.” Especially with such a big push for glbt rights now in the media. I would not be surprised of the media themselves used portions of the show to talk up gay rights. I think you read a little…. well a whole lot into something that wasn’t even there. No one mentioned anything about ‘turning people gay.’ Love your passion, that is the type of power we need to make change. Rember though, with great power comes great responsibility 😛
I find the show highly entertaining, but it’s not like this is empirical research. The only way I could see this show being mandatory is if you make an entire class out of the Glee (diversity issues) show and spend time disecting each character’s role and back it up with empirical research. For example, there could be different classes based on the different diversities identified in the show (people living with physical disabilities, LGBT issues, racial issues, teen pregnancy, etc.). Kurt is dealing with identifying as a gay teenager. That class period could look at research about LGBT youth (suicide rates, rates of homeless LGBT youth, and how social workers can best serve the LGBT community, etc.).
I think it’s a fascinating idea that could be very creative and even *gasp* popular. Other class activities could include research papers on diversity, identifying personal bias related to diversity, and dispelling the stereotypes of diverse groups.
Perhaps this would be most appropriate at a bachelors level social work program, but I knew plenty of people in my masters program that needed some serious diversity training.
Don’t stop believing…Hold onto that feeling! 🙂
I agree with Kurt, but I think the discussions based on this show should start in middle school (8th grade) and continue through high school. I definitely think the school social workers should be part of a team that would also include the school nurse and teacher representatives (someone from administration should also be on board). This team would be responsible for setting up a basic structure and curriculum for the classes. The empirical research stats should be used by the instructors/facilitators as supportive information, but I think the classes, at those age ranges, should be focused on student discussions of the issues raised by the series.
I am a student about to graduate with my BSW so it was not that long ago that I was in high school. While Glee may not be the most realistic portrayal, it is more realistic than any teen show out there at the moment. I believe the characters and stereotypes are over exaggerated to make a point. For example, Kurt’s character is effeminate which is a stereotype of gay men, but in later episodes he is helping his dad fix a car, which our society considers “manly.” I think they have these stereotypes set up at the beginning so they can slowly tear them down and prove them wrong. As for Amber, if they had not made her slightly “hip-hop”, there would be complaints that they ignored her black heritage.
While this may not have to be required viewing, it does portray a lot of issues that teenagers deal with from the teen’s view at the time versus the consequences later. They may show the teens enjoying whatever is going on, but then they bring it back and show the reality and effects of what is going on.
Mandatory viewing for school social workers?!?!?!? Is this for real?!?!?!?! Encouraging more viewers for Fox Network!?!?!?!?!?!? Must’ve been a slow news day or someone was desperate for an idea or meeting a deadline. How dare we suggest a trivialization and cheapening of our training. Yes, watch for the entertainment value and to understand how the media is portraying social issues and what is influencing our children, but that’s it. Let’s put more energy into raising the standards of our profession…more focus on understanding complex social issues from a historical and global perspective, not from Hollywood viewpoint.