The sentence in Adolescence that broke me as a parent
Plus: 😡 repressed anger 🤦♂️ baldness studies ⚡ power intros
Have you seen it?
It’s been a watershed few weeks for how we think about young people online, thanks to the Netflix show Adolescence, which has been a runaway success in the UK and US.
At The Female Lead, we’ve found the reaction inspiring and encouraging. Having worked for years to research and provide positive role models for girls online, we have seen - and proved - that who young people are influenced by can shape your self belief and career. It’s only right that boys are included in that conversation too.
As a parent of two young sons, our Editorial Director Louise Ridley found that one line in particular from the show’s devastating final episode stuck with her. Scroll down to find out which.
In this issue of Take The Lead, the fortnightly newsletter from The Female Lead, we’re also talking about how to introduce yourself and sound smart, and why menstrual cycles actually don’t mess with our cognitive abilities.
Enjoy, and please share your thoughts with us by commenting or replying directly to this email.
The Female Lead Team
We’re talking about…
😡 Could suppressed rage be harming women’s health? Research suggests that unexpressed anger may contribute to autoimmune disorders, highlighting a critical link between emotions and physical wellbeing.
👂 Women really do hear better than men. A study from the University of Bath has found that women have heightened hearing sensitivity, especially for high-frequency sounds.
🧠 No, menstrual cycles don’t mess with women’s cognitive abilities. A new study finds no significant impact of hormonal fluctuations on brainpower, challenging long-held myths.
🔧 More women are training as mechanics, breaking industry stereotypes and creating garage spaces where female customers feel respected and valued.
Inspire me…
“We’re talking about the Andrew Tates and whatever, influencing young men. We can influence young men just the same, by continually bombarding them with positive messages and letting them understand that to be vulnerable, to cry, to talk to people about how you feel… there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Ashley Walters speaking to The Female Lead about Adolescence
Five words in Adolescence that broke me as a parent
By Louise Ridley, Editorial Director of The Female Lead
There are plenty of devastating moments in the Netflix drama Adolescence. But as a parent of young boys, none of them hit me more forcefully than five words spoken by Stephen Graham’s character Eddie, in the show’s heartwrenching final episode.
“We thought he was safe”.
He’s talking about his thirteen-year-old son Jamie, who is accused of killing his schoolmate Katie after slipping into an online world of misogyny.
The final episode shows Jamie’s parents wrestling with if they could have prevented what happened. Yes, they may not have had as much time for Jamie as they wanted to. Yes, Eddie has a serious temper. Yes, Jamie used to spend hours at night on his computer. But his parents had always assumed that he was protected at home in his bedroom. It’s when Eddie tells his wife “we thought he was safe” that you see their world completely unravel.
Toolbox: How to introduce yourself (and sound smart)
From Jessica Chen, author, communications expert and speaker
🤔 Why: Talking about your work to a stranger can sometimes feel awkward if you’re not sure how to explain it in a way that will click, especially those outside your industry. Making your work relatable can potentially open more doors that can lead to opportunities.
🔧 How: The key to introducing yourself effectively is to make it relatable to whoever’s listening. Here’s how:
Start with something familiar. Instead of diving straight into your job title, begin with something people recognise. This helps them connect the dots. Example: “You know how you see ads whenever you read a news story?”
Explain your role in a way that solves a problem. Frame your work as part of a bigger picture. Example: “I work on the ads team to make sure our ads are running correctly and are placed for optimal visibility.”
Add credibility with a real-world example. Proof makes your introduction more memorable. If you can, mention a recognisable example of your work, including companies people are familiar with. Example: “You can see the ads I’ve worked on websites like ABC and XYZ.”
This approach makes your introduction clear, engaging, and easy to remember. Here’s a reminder of that sentence structure: “You know how (state the issue)? So what I do is (share the solution). For example, (give proof).”
Jessica Chen is the author of the book ‘Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons’ and just released a communication quiz where you can find your communication strength.
Final thought
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