Euphoria is the latest and greatest new series in HBO’s arsenal and has been the talk of the town since its second season began airing on Jan. 9.  The series follows Rue Bennett, a 17 year-old drug addict who shares her perspective on the lives of her fellow classmates. As the series progresses, it is made clear that each character struggles with various forms of trauma, and when it’s examined more closely, the main root of the problem comes from the adults, not the teens.

Many people find interest in viewing the HBO series simply for the entertainment of dark drama and how explicit the show can be, but it seems as though many miss one of the main themes of the show: how childhood trauma and bad parenting affect kids as they grow up.

Every child looks up to their parents, and the parents in Euphoria are terrible role models. Euphoria provides deep commentary on many hard topics, and the issue of how one’s environment affects development is one of the larger ones that hides in the shadows of drug abuse and sex scandals.

One fellow Sonoma State student shared her perspective, saying, “Euphoria focuses it’s storyline through the perspective of Rue, a drug addict. Many of the situations and experiences presented in the show, such as anxiety, young adults sending sexual content amongst others, and the use of drugs, is all simply real. However, in today’s world, we just sweep things under the rug so it’s not a big deal.”

At times these situations are being constantly brushed aside, or put on someone else’s plate to deal with. Given these aspects, maybe the best way to do so is to take it one step at a time. Try to break the ice with the conversation, and create a safe environment of support and care. Over time, the subject of mental health and the importance of a safe environment will be normal. 

As they walk through the school’s crowded hallways, filled with daily teenage gossip, high ego jocks, book smart nerds, and self-centered mean girls, the characters are all trying to find purpose and self-identity in their own lives. However, the journey is not as easy as it seems, with the pressures of wanting, to be seen, heard, and wanted is a feeling every high school student yearns for amongst their peers and families. 

Regardless of how they feel, there’s always a willingness to compress emotions, anxiety, trauma, and being true to themselves, they turn to the excessive use of drugs, sex, and alcohol. Hoping and yearning for all the layers of pain to peel away. Yet the numbness and feeling of hope only last for a moment.