When the Kiefer/Kristina storyline began on GH, I praised the show for shedding some light on the subject of teenagers caught in abusive relationships because as a society this is something that is rarely ever talked about. Unfortunately these types of relationships are much more common than anyone would want to admit and talking about them is the only way that teenagers are ever going to learn how to protect themselves. I still feel like it was a smart and gutsy move for GH to be willing to tell this story, but I am a little concerned at how this storyline now seems to be unfolding. I am worried that not enough attention is being paid to the emotional and mental side of abusive relationships because Kiefer's worst outbursts seem to occur when Kristina refuses to sleep with him. Then the issue becomes more about Kristina not being ready to have sex, but deciding to do it anyway because she is being pressured by her boyfriend. I have no doubt that an abusive boyfriend would try to pressure his girlfriend to have sex with him. I just think this storyline needs to place more emphasis on the fact that Kiefer is abusive in more ways than one, and that this abuse is not simply triggered by Kristina's refusal to sleep with him, as this could send the wrong message. As a result, I think more attention needs to be paid to Kiefer's subtle abuse, the abuse that may be harder for teenagers to detect, like when he bought Kristina a cell phone so that he could always reach her. Fewer teenagers would see a warning sign in that than they would the physical abuse, and these are often the first warning signs before physical abuse begins.
I doubt if I'm alone in saying that there is a lot wrong with General Hospital these days. While it continues to be one of my favorite soaps there are many changes I would make immediately if I had the power. Below is a list of the top ten suggestions I have for the way the show could improve. 1. The Claire/Sonny storyline needs to be dropped. It isn't working. Their conversations are boring and the context of their relationship is, well...icky. 2. Amp up Lisa's craziness. Despite my earlier distaste for a Robin/Patrick/Lisa triangle, the obsessed ex-girlfriend angle is working. It's interesting and very soapy. 3. Ronnie needs to be established as either a cop with a chip on his shoulder or someone who works for Franco. So far I haven't been able to tell whether Ronnie falls more on the side of good or bad because this character hasn't been clearly defined. 4. Brenda's life away from Port Charles and the people that surround it need to become an int...
i completly agree! god i only think about how i wish i would have knew more when i was in abusive relationshiops! i was her age only a few yrs ago! it terrifies me how nobody discuss this with teenagers! GH did the HIV/AIDS awareness & PPD with Robin they should giving kids more then a phne # 2 call! Awareness is key! & i think Sam should start 2 regonize this & do something! Good topic! thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi jaymann216lover!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you found yourself the victim of this type of relationship. This just proves my point that more needs to be done to raise awareness so that teenagers will know the warning signs of abuse. Now that GH has presented this topic they have a responsibility to do just that. This storyline needs to be written carefully and they need to do everything they can to avoid sending mixed messages. I'm just afraid that the show is now starting to shift its focus away from abuse to teenagers being pressured into having sex. And I agree with you, Sam needs to start recognizing what is really going on with Kristina instead of rushing her to the clinic for birth control. She also needs to have a serious talk with Alexis because she is clueless when it comes to Kristina & Kiefer.
Thanks for sharing....
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