High School Confidential

Reality TV. We've all had the discussion. Is it really reality? In most cases no. It's sensationalized to attract a viewing market who love drama and the idea of reality tv. I think though that some shows serve a purpose. I think about the Biggest Loser. Helping people turn their lives around and live in healthy ways is inspiring, motivating and even redemptive at it's core. Sure, like any television show, they care about ratings and money but in the midst of that they are making a difference.

There is a "reality" type show currently airing on We TV on Monday nights called High School Confidential. From its website...the show "follows 12 diverse girls through their tumultuous and exhilarating high school experience. They encounter sex, drugs, unwanted pregnancy, health crisis, and family chaos -- all while trying to discover who they are. Each episode explores the girls' stories through four years of heartache, discovery, friendship, and self-acceptance." One of the truly interesting aspects of the show is that they followed these girls through all four years of high school and have combined the footage from all four years to help share each girl's high school story. They reveal views, passions, beliefs and morals expressed by the girls as they entered high school compared to their perspective as seniors close to graduation.

The more I watch the show, the more I'm convinced parents of all types should at least be exposed to much of the information conveyed throughout the series. That doesn't mean it's all good but so much of it offers a very insightful window into the general teenage culture of our world today. I even think the show could be used as a conversation starter with teens in an attempt to help them open up about the realities they face everyday. The shows creator Sharon Liese explains that the show "explores a phenomenon experienced by teenage girls: the inescapable struggle to forge an identity while facing pressure to lose her "self."

It is a documentary that (at least within me) evokes a spectrum of emotions. Encouraged. Inspired. Shocked. Determined. Frustrated. Motivated. Scared. I know during at least one of the episodes Sara and I commented to each other..."we aren't having kids!" We were joking (sort of) but it really does put life in perspective and motivate you to want to make a difference in the lives of young people. Whether you have kids of your own or you work with them on a regular basis, I think you can benefit from this up-close and (gut-wrenchingly) personal look at today's teenage experience.

Just to provide you with a little more info about the show, here is the ad for the premiere...