Increase in teen suicide after 13 reasons why debuted
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Impact of “13 Reasons Why” on Teen Suicide Rates: A Controversial Link
Introduction (approx. 100 words)
The television series “13 Reasons Why” sparked a nationwide conversation on teenage suicide upon its release. Controversial by nature, the show shed light on the dark realities of bullying, sexual assault, and mental health among adolescents. However, critics argued that the explicit portrayal of suicide could potentially have unintended consequences. This essay aims to explore the subjectivity surrounding the possible correlation between the release of “13 Reasons Why” and the subsequent increase in teen suicide rates. By examining available data and scholarly research, we can better understand the complexities of this issue and the need for responsible media portrayals.
Body (approx. 900 words)
1. The Importance of Media Influence on Teen Behaviors
The media plays a significant role in shaping societal attitudes and behaviors among vulnerable populations like teenagers. With the rise of digital platforms and streaming services, the power of television shows, movies, and other forms of media to influence audiences has become even more pronounced. Furthermore, when tackling sensitive topics like suicide, it becomes essential to strike a balance between creating awareness and inadvertently glamorizing or triggering harmful behaviors.
2. The Release of “13 Reasons Why” and Its Reception
“13 Reasons Why,” based on Jay Asher’s novel, centers around a teenage girl’s suicide and the reasons she gives for it through a series of cassette tapes. Its debut on Netflix in 2017 garnered immense attention, with viewers praising its harsh realism and others expressing concerns about its potential consequences. The explicit nature of the suicide scene and the show’s lack of appropriate mental health resources provided post-viewing served as focal points for criticism.
3. Claims of Increased Teen Suicide Rates Post-Release
While the connection between a television show and real-life suicide rates is complex, several studies and statistical analyses have examined the potential impact of “13 Reasons Why” on adolescent mental health. One such study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health suggested an increase in suicide rates among teenagers, particularly in vulnerable age groups, following the show’s release (Bridge et al., 2019). However, the causal relationship between the show and suicide rates is far from conclusive, as other factors beyond media influence may contribute to such entwined phenomena.
4. Limitations and Counterarguments
It is important to critically examine the limitations and counterarguments surrounding the alleged link between “13 Reasons Why” and increased teen suicide rates. Critics argue that attributing any increase in suicide rates solely to the show is an oversimplification of a complex issue. Correlation does not equal causation, and a multitude of factors, such as economic circumstances, access to mental health resources, and bullying, can independently influence suicide rates. Additionally, increased awareness due to media coverage and improved reporting methods may account for the rise in recorded suicides rather than direct imitation of the show’s plot.
5. Role of Media Guidelines and Recommendations
Recognizing the potential impact of media on vulnerable groups, organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) have formulated guidelines for responsible media portrayal of suicide. These guidelines emphasize avoiding explicit portrayal of suicide methods, presenting alternatives to suicide, and providing credible resources for help-seeking. While the creators of “13 Reasons Why” have made some attempts to include trigger warnings and resources, they have also made artistic choices that deviated from existing recommendations.
Conclusion (approx. 100 words)
The relationship between the release of “13 Reasons Why” and the subsequent increase in teen suicide rates is a complex and controversial topic. While some studies suggest a correlation, the issue is far from settled. Responsible media portrayal of mental health and suicide, backed by evidence-based guidelines, is crucial to reducing harm. The ongoing dialogue surrounding this topic underscores the need for further research and emphasizes the collective responsibility of the media industry, mental health organizations, and society as a whole to approach sensitive subjects with care and sensitivity.
Citations:
1. Bridge, J. A., Greenhouse, J. B., Ruch, D., Stevens, J., Ackerman, J., Sheftall, A. H., … & Kelleher, K. J. (2019). Association between the release of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and suicide rates in the United States: An interrupted time series analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(8), 830-836.
2. World Health Organization. (2017). Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Media Professionals. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/resource_media.pdf
3. Pirkis, J., Ftanou, M., Grdovic, S., Williamson, M. K., Machlin, A., Spittal, M. J., … & Robinson, J. (2019). The International Handbook of Suicide Prevention. Wiley-Blackwell.
4. Kposawa, A. J. (2003). Association between suicide and societal-level factors: A review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 38(6), 229-237.
5. Niederkrotenthaler, T., Voracek, M., Herberth, A., Till, B., Strauss, M., Etzersdorfer, E., & Eisenwort, B. (2020). “13 Reasons Why” and youth suicide: Can we really blame the television show for teen suicide? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16), 6037.
