Why would I, a 65-year-old retired school social worker, watch a television series about a rather wacky Midwest high school’s glee club? The simple answer is I enjoy watching the young performers who are incredibly talented singers and dancers.
The issues covered in the “Glee” series do have a reality base that resonates with most savvy real high school students. Problems occur, and they are being addressed by trained professionals in our schools to safeguard and support students.
What disturbs me are the gross inaccuracies the “Glee” writers make with safety and mental-health issues that might not be apparent to preteens and to older adults.
A recent episode of “Glee” titled “Comeback” highlights my concerns. In this episode the ruthless cheerleader coach, Sue, discloses to two faculty members that she is experiencing “crippling depression,” and they subsequently discover that she has made a suicide attempt in the school building. The “Glee” writers’ mishandling of this serious topic is troubling. They have the two staff members making a halfhearted effort to talk with Sue, and leave her — without any follow up. Later in that episode Sue becomes violent and literally shoves a female student against a locker in the hallway of the school. She then hurls books and other objects in the hallway and verbally threatens students. The “Glee” writers have both adults and students watching her with a deer-in-the-headlights look, and Sue just walks away.
In a real school setting the crisis team would have been summoned in both instances and stayed with Sue. A 911 call would have been made for the suicide attempt to transport her to a hospital for a psychiatric assessment, and she could be stabilized. Her out-of-control outburst would also trigger an immediate call to 911. I believe Sue would have been arrested by the police and charged with the physical assault of the student and disturbing the peace and removed from the building. Most likely, Sue would be suspended from her position until she could demonstrate she has resolved her issues.
Would junior high-age students watching “Glee” know this would be the outcome? I doubt it.
The “Glee” writers must do a better job with life events even at the fictional McKinley High. Real people are watching.
“Glee,” despite the joy I get from the music, leaves me feeling glum.
— John A. Del Genio, Skokie
