SPOILER ALERT: This blog contains detailed references to the hit TV series Adolescence. If you haven’t finished the show, consider bookmarking this page and returning once you’re caught up.
Adolescence and the Identity Crisis of Teen Boys: A Psychological Lens
If you’ve found yourself reeling from the Netflix series of Adolescence, you’re not alone. The series captured a raw, unsettling portrait of what it means to come of age in the 2025—particularly for teenage boys. While the gritty cinematography and gripping plot twists kept us glued to our screens, what truly stood out was the way Adolescence unpacked complex psychological dynamics: the search for identity, the pressure to define masculinity, and the toxic undercurrents of the social media world that teens must now navigate daily.
This blog explores those themes—through the eyes of psychology—with a possible interpretation of Jamie Miller, and his behaviour that’s equal parts confronting and tragic.
Teen Boys, Masculinity, and the Search for Identity
At its core, Adolescence is Jamie and his mates, struggling to answer the fundamental teenage question: Who am I, and do I matter? These boys, like many in the real world, are searching for belonging and self-worth, yet they’re increasingly confused about what being a “man” even means.
Rejected by female peers, disconnected from adults, and exposed to an endless stream of online content, they drift toward role models who offer certainty—however dangerous that certainty might be.
Their sense of rejection triggers ‘cognitive dissonance’, the psychological discomfort that arises when one’s beliefs clash with one’s reality. To reduce that discomfort, some teens double down on distorted narratives that offer a sense of control: “I don’t want their approval anyway.” It’s a defence mechanism that can rapidly spiral when validated by others who feel the same way.
When Social Media Becomes the Parent
Social media, for all its connection, has become a double-edged sword—and teen boys are no exception. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube don’t just show teens content; they serve them up a customised worldview. If a boy clicks on one video expressing frustration with girls, the algorithm is ready with a follow-up: “Why Women Don’t Respect Nice Guys,” followed by “Top 5 Alpha Male Rules You Must Follow.”
And this is where figures like Andrew Tate enter the chat.
Tate has become a dangerous, and warped, symbol of male identity. His brand of “masculinity” is performative, aggressive, and rooted in domination and emotional detachment. For boys who are lost, rejected, or simply unsure of where they fit, this ideology offers a seductive answer: be feared, not liked; be dominant, not vulnerable.
What they don’t see is that this mindset cuts them off from real relationships, empathy, and growth. It’s not strength—it’s a cage.
What can be done?
Parents, educators, and psychologists can work to:
- Encourage open discussions about what real strength and masculinity look like (hint: it includes emotional intelligence).
- Teach critical thinking skills to help teens question online content.
- Build strong offline communities where teens feel seen and valued.
Evolution’s Design: Why Teens Pull Away
It’s not just rebellion—it’s biology. Evolution has hardwired teens to shift their attachment focus away from parents and toward their peer group. Why? In ancient times, survival meant preparing for independence. You couldn’t live in your parents’ cave forever. Therefore to form your ‘tribe’ and seek their approval is not just about fitting in – it’s about survival.
Today, this same evolutionary impulse plays out in bedrooms with closed doors, headphones in ears, and long nights out with friends (or online). In Adolescence, we see this play out vividly—especially in the scenes where Jamie and his friends roam the streets late at night or hide away in their rooms, gaming, watching, stewing.
Peer groups become the new tribe. And if that tribe is steeped in confusion and toxic messages, it’s easy to see how things can derail.
Jamie Miller: A Case for Dissociative Identity Disorder?
One of the most haunting storylines in Adolescence centres on Jamie, who insists “It wasn’t me” when confronted with acts of violence and cruelty. At first glance, this might seem like denial. But a deeper psychological reading suggests something more serious may be at play: could it be Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?
In Jamie’s behaviour and the following interview with the female psychologist, subtle yet powerful indicators emerge:
- Sudden changes in vocal tone, posture and expression,
- Repetitive throat clearing before switching demeanour (possibly a tic). These can sometimes be outwards signs of switching in individuals with DID,
- An explosive response when pressured, out of character to how his family know him,
- Repeated statements of “It wasn’t me”. The natural question could logically then be, “Who was it?”
These signs point toward a possible disconnection between different states of self—commonly associated with DID. Often emerging from early trauma, DID reflects a mind’s desperate attempt to cope by fragmenting identity. Jamie, already isolated and overwhelmed, may be splitting off parts of himself to manage intolerable emotions.
This portrayal, while dramatic, raises real questions about how society notices—or misses—signs of deep psychological distress in young people, particularly boys.
Final Thoughts: What Adolescence Teaches Us
Adolescence doesn’t just entertain—it holds up a mirror. It asks us to see the confusion, vulnerability, and yearning behind the bravado of modern teen boys. It challenges us to look past the TikToks and the tantrums and ask: What is this boy really trying to tell us?
In a world where the loudest voices often drown out the wisest ones, the challenge for adults is to stay close—even when teens pull away. To be available, to be curious, and to offer a definition of masculinity that isn’t about control, but about connection.
Karen Stevens
Principal Psychologist
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