Where are our Bangladeshi teen shows?

Our teenage years are arguably the most formative years of our lives. The transition from being a child to becoming an adult is scary and full of changes that we might not be ready for. To cope, teenagers seek refuge and consume media that centres around coming-of-age themes.

For starters, teen shows take precedence over most other genres, as it generally takes a look into the lives of people who are around the same age as them, and are going through issues that they can relate to. They don't even need to be grounded in reality to provide comfort to their viewers. Sometimes, it is the outlandish premises that appeal to the younger demographic. But if we look at the types of shows being produced in Bangladesh, there is an obvious lack of content that caters to the youth. Because a vacuum exists in the sphere of local teen shows, teenagers resort to watching series based in other countries. 

While the pain of growing up is a universal experience, the specific circumstances that affect teenagers vary greatly from one country to another. This is usually due to differences in culture, and societal expectations. Shows set in America will portray their cultural practices and traditions, none of which a teenager living in Bangladesh can wrap their head around. When audiences fail to relate to what is being shown, they feel disconnected. 

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Nonetheless, the opposite may also be true. If they consume too much content from a culture that is vastly different from their own, it can warp their sense of self. One may begin to internalise experiences that are exclusive to western experiences, which are very far detached from their own values, leading to alienation from one's culture. This doesn't mean shows from other countries shouldn't be watched at all, but it should be kept in mind that the teenage identity is very turbulent, so they may be more susceptible to being influenced by these things.

As they don't know fully have a grasp of what it's like out there, they can build up unrealistic expectations. Popular teen dramas like Gossip Girl, Euphoria, and Riverdale are considered to be exaggerated caricatures of what high school is like in America. However, someone who isn't aware of reality can start to develop misconceptions. It can cause them to feel like they're missing out on things in life that other kids their age are getting to experience. 

Having media that closely coincides with the problems in one's society gives a sense of familiarity that foreign content just cannot provide. It would be a nice change of pace to be able to watch a high school drama that shows students dealing with judgemental aunties, parents who are hellbent on their kids studying science, and discreet relationships.

Local television networks and OTT services are flooded with soap operas and crime thrillers. Even though these shows can be enjoyed by many age groups, it's obvious that they're aimed at adults. The industry ignores teenagers as a demographic, so they don't have the shows they deserve. It's time that they finally produce something that caters to them and their needs.

Namreen is sick and tired. Send a reminder that life goes on at: namreen.shaiyaz@gmail.com