13 Reasons Why You Need to Be Watching ’13 Reasons Why’

There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why. You’ll find numerous people who’ll advise you to avoid this program like the plague, but we’re here to tell you why you should watch it.

The show, which is based on a book, tackles some pretty tough issues that may make you feel uncomfortable. But these issues are very relevant to the society we live in today. From rape, suicide, gossiping, and cyber bullying, 13 Reasons Why puts young faces to the struggles that are running rampant in schoolyards across the world. Keep reading to see thirteen reasons why you need to be watching this show.

1. It Discusses Serious Topics

This isn’t a feel-good comedy that’s sprinkled with punchlines every five minutes. This program discusses very serious topics that many teenagers and young adults are all too familiar with. The most serious topic of all is suicide and all of the social and personal issues that can bring a teen to the point of ending their own life.

2. You Don’t Have to be a Teen to Relate

Although the story centers around high school issues, you don’t have to be a teenager in order to relate to the message. The show not only tackles the subjects that many students face on a daily basis, but it also shows the impact and how damaging these issues can be to an entire community. This story may also trigger your own personal memories from when you were in high school, and it can help us all as a society to pick up on social and emotional cues to realize when someone is silently suffering before it’s too late.

3. It’s Full of Diversity

Casting directors made sure the cast was full of many diverse actors from various backgrounds. The various ethnicities and races on the program make the show much more relatable no matter how you choose to identify yourself.

4. You’ll Feel Connected to the Characters

The character development in this program will make you feel very well connected to each cast member. Hannah Baker, played by Katherine Langford, is the main character of the show. But there are many different characters that you may be drawn to. Mr. Porter (Derek Luke), who’s the school’s guidance counselor, really opens the door to exploring the complex and robust personalities of many of the students. While they deal with the aftermath of Hannah’s death, Mr. Porter’s interactions with the students allow us to dig a bit deeper into their psyche.

5. Hannah’s Story Is Too Real

Even though the premise of the show is fictional, Hannah’s story is all too real. Bullying is a huge problem in schools across the world, and the scars it leaves behind can last a lifetime. After Hannah’s death, the cast experiences a range of emotions. Some wonder what they could’ve done to help her, while others feel no remorse for her taking her own life.

Teenage suicide is a topic that many people don’t like to discuss, but it’s an issue that has plagued our society for decades. According to statistics, suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15-24.

6. Selena Gomez Backed Out of the Lead Role

Selena Gomez was all set to play the character Hannah, but she backed out of the series and took on the role of a producer of the show instead. Gomez felt her face was too recognizable, and her presence would take away from the importance of Hannah’s story.

7. It’ll Educate You on Rape Culture

If you’re not familiar with rape culture, you will be after watching this series. The show navigates through the destructive ways in which rape culture damages young girls and women. Throughout the series, Hannah is accused of lying about the sexual assault. Even after the truth is uncovered, some of her classmates go to great lengths to keep it a secret.

8. The Show Will Make You Ask Tough Questions

What would you do if you were one of Hannah’s classmates? How can you reach out to teenagers in your community who may be dealing with bullying and harassment every day? What can we all do collectively to make sure no child ever has to go through what Hannah went through? These are questions that will run through your mind as you watch the show.

9. It Has an Awesome Soundtrack

As dark as Hannah’s story is, there’s some pretty good music to go along with the TV show. It’s the one thing most fans can’t get enough of, and the compilation of music has even been described as “brilliant.” The soundtrack has tunes by Selena Gomez, Eskmo, Vance Joy, and The Kills.

10. It Tackles Cyber Bullying

The Internet is a gift and a curse. Aside from the plethora of information that can be found after just a few keystrokes, it can also be used to cyber bully. Hannah is bullied online throughout the entire show, and the attacks on social media aren’t taken seriously by anyone. While there are now laws in place to combat these online attacks, the reality is that many teens and adults still feel helpless when it comes to being bullied online.

11. It Reminds Us to Stand Up for What’s Right

How many times have you stood by and watched someone be harassed or bullied? We’ve all been in a situation where we knew what was going on wasn’t right, but we didn’t have the courage to speak up and say something. This show will make you want to spring into action to fight against alienating others, bullying, and discrimination.

12. It Sheds a Light on Suicide Awareness

Hannah dies before anyone can step in to help her, but her story lets us know the signs we should all be aware of. From changes in eating habits, withdrawing from friends and family, and a lack of interest in hobbies, Hannah showed all the telltale signs of a teen who was suffering in silence.

13. It Shows How Powerful Gossiping Can Be

Gossiping and rumors can spread like wildfire in a high school atmosphere, and this show exposes the aftermath. The boys engage in damaging actions, but they’re able to get away with it. It all goes back to the old saying, “Boys will be boys,” but at what point do we hold people accountable for their actions? The gossip is just one of the moving parts in a series of incidents that lead up to Hannah taking her own life. You’ll see how one little rumor can spiral out of control and lead to one person doing the unthinkable.