General Hospital Shines a Light

Ever since Kristina's boyfriend Kiefer picked a fight with Michael at Jake's I have wondered what his presence would mean for the show. This week it became clear that he would become Kristina's abusive boyfriend. While this is certainly a disturbing subject that I am sure many are not looking forward to viewing, it is a subject that needs to have more light shed on it because it is all too common for teenagers to find themselves in abusive relationships. And even though this storyline has just started and it is too soon to predict how it will unfold, GH needs to be commended for tackling this subject, particularly during the summer when teenage viewership is likely to be up. Teenagers need to know where they can go for help if they find themselves in an abusive relationship and they also need to know the warning signs, subtle as they may be. I like the fact that Kristina is so intelligent and seems to have a lot going for her. This illustrates the fact that anyone can become a victim of abuse and it just may make a few teenage viewers stop and think about their own relationships. It should also be noted that GH seems to be trying to handle this material responsibly by broadcasting a public service announcement on the subject of abuse to inform others on how to get help. I only wish that every soap would take their responsibility to their viewers as seriously.