Serious official criticism of Butterfly

I suppose I'm being ridiculously optimistic to suggest that there might actually be a more critical narrative running beneath the storyline?

I wish, but I doubt it. The whole thing is a promotion piece for Mermaids.

I'm not sure I'm a younger parent, but in this house, self harm is dealt with very undramatically, with matter of fact cleaning and dressing of wounds, a cup of tea and a biscuit which probably would have been forthcoming anyway, and a reconcerted effort to check security measures on risky items used. I've no idea what the best way to deal with it is, but we don't do big screamy dramas and we don't say it's acceptable. And it never wins any argument.

I suppose I'm being ridiculously optimistic to suggest that there might actually be a more critical narrative running beneath the storyline? That in episode 3 the child is going to suddenly realise that being a girl isn't going to bring his family back together and he doesn't need drugs to wear the clothes he likes?

Oddly the self harm incident in the program was actually a reaction to their Mum going on a date with someone new and thus stopping the possibility of the family getting back together = nothing to do with her being trans - I think Andrew and GIDs acted without watching the program. It was a really interesting sequence about how desperate Maxine was to have her family back together something a lot of children in broken families go through.

The Mail has 2 pages of stunning and brave.
But Christopher Stevens review goes When I was a boy I wanted to be a lion. He says the dad is a bullying chauvanist and calls the child ruthlessly manipulative etc.

Those young people have an average 2.4 parents each. I can see why they might have a problem.

Yeah, what the fuck are adults without kids doing in the group? Assuming that each child has both parents there...even then there is a large surplus of adults.

Thank-you [WomanDictionaryDefined], I will be complaining too. Lots wrong with the production but I particularly disliked the romanticising of the self harm scene and how Max's behaviour achieved the reward he wanted. He was able to place himself at the centre of his parents relationships as well as have them fawning around his hospital bed. What child wouldn't like that?

Genuine question to younger parents, is that how self harm is dealt with these days? Is there never any anger, disapproval or disappointment shown? Are things like selfishness or stupidity never mentioned? Is the 'victim' rewarded in such a way that they identify with, and enjoy their victim status?

Ah right I see, sorry

I meant the comment on Facebook not the actual article

If you have a complaint about the programme...*
www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/how-to-report-a-complaint

Thanks Glad. I'm making my complaint tonight.

Comments in The Times TV review are open-please critique if you have time

I can't bring myself to watch it, but I'm assuming the dad is an imitation of Susie Green's husband. Does that make sense? In terms of the way he treats the child?

From the Times review:

quite a bit of histrionic high drama too, such as Max slashing his wrists to stop Vicky from going on a date.

But but but, I though he slashed his wrists due to being trans and being unaccepted?

The Times reviewer is braced to be fed an agenda. James Jackson is sceptical.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tv-review-butterfly-the-cry-pqj3nh9vx?shareToken=1132b76d2d8f602c96d4fefcb120c7e3

Or maybe I’m not looking at the right article? I’ve just tried to comment but it wouldn’t let me

The comments on the MEN Facebook are selected from twitter. The actual article is not accepting and comments, so it’s not really representative.

The Manchester evening news has a bit about it in Facebook. Comment after comment in unanimous support. People recommending mermaids to other parents. I genuinely can’t comment negatively about it because of the risks to myself. How I wish I had a secret Facebook profile so I could comment freely without the TRAs seeing me. So utterly, utterly depressing. After thinking the tide was turning we have so much work to do.

Thank you for this!

www.samaritans.org/media-centre/media-guidelines-reporting-suicide/suicide-reporting-codes-practice

The main reporting regulations and codes of practice within the United Kingdom are:
The Ofcom Broadcasting Code
Section 2: Harm and Offence

Violence, dangerous behaviour and suicide:
2.4 - Programmes must not include material (whether in individual programmes or in programmes taken together) which, taking into account the context, condones or glamorises violent, dangerous or seriously antisocial behaviour and is likely to encourage others to copy such behaviour.

2.5 - Suicide and self-harm. This rule reflects a continued concern about the impact of real or portrayed suicide, and self-harm, on those whose minds may be disturbed. Whilst it is always difficult to prove causality, various studies have shown that there may be a short-lived increase in particular methods of suicide portrayed on television. Broadcasters should consider whether detailed demonstrations of means or methods of suicide or self-harm are justified.

In addition:
Rule 1.13 in Section One: Protecting the Under-Eighteens:
Dangerous behaviour, or the portrayal of dangerous behaviour, that is likely to be easily imitable by children in a manner that is harmful:

• must not be featured in programmes made primarily for children unless

• must not be broadcast before the watershed (in the case of television) or when children are particularly likely to be listening (in the case of radio), unless there is editorial justification.

www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/how-to-report-a-complaint

www.samaritans.org/media-centre/media-guidelines-reporting-suicide/suicide-reporting-10-things-remember

-Leave out technical details about the method of suicide, such as describing the type of ligature used or the number and types of pills taken in an overdose. Never suggest that a method is quick, easy, painless or certain to result in death.

-Language matters. Avoid dramatic headlines and terms such as ‘suicide epidemic’ or ‘hot spot’.

-Include references to support groups and places where suicidal people can find help – it really does make a difference.

-Treat social media with particular caution and refrain from mentioning websites or networks that promote or glamorise suicide.

-Avoid dramatic or sensationalist pictures or video.

-Young people are especially vulnerable to negative suicide coverage. Do not give undue prominence to photographs of a young person who has died and avoid repeated use of images such as galleries.

-Try not to give a story undue prominence, for example with a front cover splash.

-Don’t brush over the complex realities of suicide and its impact on those left behind. Remember that people bereaved by suicide are often vulnerable and are more likely to take their own lives than the general population.

-Speculation about the ‘trigger’ for a suicide, even if provided by a close family member, should be avoided.

-Use statistics with caution. Check with Samaritans or the relevant national statistical agency to make sure you have the most recent data and are comparing like with like.

Here is their statement about Media Guidelines.
In a perfect world, it would force ITV to pull the program off the air.
They write: "Research shows that inappropriate reporting of suicide may lead to imitative or ‘imitational’ behaviour, so Samaritans publishes Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide and has been working with the media for more than two decades, providing expert advice on the portrayal of suicide.

The media can also help encourage people who are struggling to reach out for support and raise awareness of sources of help, such as Samaritans. It is important that programme makers consult with us to help make sure this is done in a safe and responsible way."

www.samaritans.org/media-centre/media-guidelines-reporting-suicide?fbclid=IwAR3heoZ8pVuTPjBK-biu3Qd9GkpeoOWG-PmPGUD4Yq1xv194jkqlc9meCMo

I really hope Samaritans suit up and sort this appalling manipulation out. They absolutely have the power.

I have long considered the TRAs want to increase suicide.

Self fulfilling prophecy.

The worst for me is that the show's writers seem to have absolutely ignored the Samaritans organization guideline to never associate suicide with a single cause, because of the very real risk of propagating suicide ideation among people dealing with this issue.

This is especialy relevant for all the impressionable youths who will now be identifying with Butterfly's hero. And since four out of the five of the youths being pressed into transition are girls, greatly influenced by their peer group, the results may prove disastrous in terms of untested puberty blockers, loss of fertility, later osteoporosis and needless surgeries.
All of this to sell advertising...