Hit Netflix series Adolescence raises key questions about shaping masculine identities

South China Morning Post

5 days ago

Stephen Graham's Netflix series Adolescence received universal acclaim from critics on its release in March this year. The British drama tells the story of a family whose seemingly ordinary existence is thrown into turmoil when their teenage son is accused of murder. What unfolds is
a deep dive into the dangers of social media , toxic masculinity and misogyny. While entirely fictional, the drama had viewers and critics alike commenting on the realistic depiction of the worrying threats facing adolescents today, including the concerning rise of the 'manosphere' with content from the likes of self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate, who has been charged with rape and human trafficking. Young people in Hong Kong are clearly not immune to such content.
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Dr Jeffy Ho, lead clinical adviser at Mind Hong Kong, explains that masculinity in Hong Kong is shaped by a mix of traditional Chinese values of filial piety, stoicism and duty, along with Western influences of independence, assertiveness and emotional openness. Dr Ho's work with Mind Hong Kong includes oversight of the Improving Access to Community Therapies programme*, which offers low-intensity psychological support sessions from trained well-being practitioners, including school-based services made available to students. These programmes are designed, among other things, to 'help teens build skills for navigating peer and adult relationships [...] and cope with the social pressures that arise from all situations, which may include gender expectations'.
KELY Support Group's Get Positive programme incorporates circus skills to help Hong Kong secondary school students deal with stress and boost their confidence. Photo: Handout
Ho says there are common narratives around masculinity, including 'men as providers and protectors, [and] emotional restraint, toughness and academic or professional success as markers of male worth and leadership, confidence and competitiveness – as well as avoidance of traits considered 'feminine''. Adolescent identities form as the result of a complex mix of biopsychosocial changes, he explains. 'These intersecting factors [...] make it even more challenging to navigate what it means to be a man,' he adds.
Louis Hou, executive director of KELY Support Group, which provides education, outreach and support programmes to empower youth with 'knowledge, resilience and confidence to challenge traditional norms', agrees that 'local culture, heavily influenced by historical media portrayals, continues to reinforce traditional views of masculinity. This phenomenon isn't unique to Hong Kong, but is observed globally.'
Dr Wilbert Law, chairman of the division of educational psychology of the Hong Kong Psychological Society and assistant professor in the department of psychology at The Education University of Hong Kong, echoes these sentiments. 'Traditionally, there are certain narratives around masculinity in Hong Kong Chinese [culture] such as being the breadwinner or master of the house, taking on leadership roles in society, carrying on the lineage, and protecting women and more vulnerable [people],' he says. As to whether these ideas are changing, Law explains this is less straightforward. 'It depends on age groups as well as religious and cultural backgrounds,' he says. With multiple types of masculinity being acknowledged and demonstrated across society, he adds, 'There is more heterogeneity in what defines a man.'
Wellbeing practitioners trained under Mind Hong Kong's iACT programme. Photo: Handout
According to Hou, there has been a shift in Hong Kong towards a 'soft masculinity', where men are encouraged to embrace vulnerability. 'Mental health has entered the discourse, with growing societal support for men to express a broader emotional range. The rise of male-oriented support groups and mental health resources further underscores this departure from traditional ideals of stoicism, reflecting wider acceptance of diverse emotional expression.' In addition to this, traditional expectations of male breadwinners are changing, says Hou.