The lack of realism hurts this show

Yeah, but if TV shows were completely realistic, we wouldn't watch them.

Plus, every show has minor flaws. We can nitpick, or we can just let it go and enjoy it.

Skins has it's flaws, yes, but what show doesn't.

Yes! Thank you. It's so ridiculous on so many levels. I don't get the people who like Skins because "its soooo realistic compared to the OC" No it is not. It's just another form of unrealistic. They looked like actual kids and talked like actual kids but that's about it.

Some things I noticed. The house parties seemed to look more like clubs--not realistic. Also don't forget the character of Cook. Just no. He was the most unrealistic teen in all the teen shows. And Effy with the rock. Wtf. Assault is now legal?

I agree about the drugs--especially hard drugs. Not typical at all. Also people drinking entire bottles of vodka in like 10 minutes and living. I'm sorry but a 100 lb teenage girl would be dead. Also agreed about Chris. Seriously. Does CPS not exist in England? (See also another English series: Harry Potter). And how Chris' house was completely trashed. Who does that? Who are these kids?

I guess I must have had a really boring teen years if this show is realistic.

On one hand, you should not take TV so seriously which applies to your #3 and #4. Don't you think it's possible that there are certain people who might do those things?

#1 I agree with but the way their parents are puts all of the characters into context. For the most part, once we are introduced to their parents we get a better understanding of how the character came to be. I agree that too many are over the top though.

#2 That bothered me immensely. Gen 1 I shrugged off the drinking and drug use because yeah it was illegal but it was just a heightened form of what a lot of kids use. By the time Gen 3 came around though they were snorting coke like it was no big deal and I just laughed.

I would add a few things onto your list though.

Number 5) Characters fall in love way too quickly and when they do they are stuck on that one love for the entirety of the series regardless of how crappy the other person treats them

Number 6) Almost every single couple has at least one person who cheats on the other during the course of the relationship.

Despite it's faults...I still enjoy the show quite a bit

Maybe you just don't understand British teens and entertainment.
People aren't forcing you to watch



Smash the control machine, work, buy, consume, die. Haters, betrayers, liars and thieves.-Otep

Just a few things...

number 1) Anwar's parents seemed pretty normal, as did Maxxie's and Jal's (Dad only obviously). What is normal? I don't know many families that are 100% cookie-cutter 'normal'.

number 2) Sid's dad seemed pretty cool RE: drugs, so it makes sense for Sid not to care about leaving a bong out. I'm going to assume you're not from England, but to most people here, weed isn't a big deal. (Agree post-1st gen, where everyone starts bumping cocaine like it's nothing).

number 3) Not all muslims are anti-gay. The fact that Anwar's DAD as an 'older' muslim is okay with it is what it less typical. But not unheard of.

number 4) Chris would not get a foster family since he is above the age of 16 when his mum leaves. That's technically old enough to rent a property and get a job, were he so inclined.

I only habitually and obsessively watched and loved the first 2 series, as I think the show started to become a bit of a caricature, especially regarding the drugs, sexuality, and relationships. The first generation I will defend as being pretty true to life (my life as a 16-18 year old in the UK anyway), with the exception of the 'posh kids' since NO ONE IS LIKE THAT.

We're doing all we can. But I'm not Jesus Christ. I've come to accept that now.

I will say that it is unrealistic, but not necessarily cause of what you said. I think that the situations the people get into in the show are unrealistic. They highlighted the families that were messed up in order to explain the kid's issues. I don't think that the parents were all completely unrealistic. The way Sid's dad handled his bad grades reminded me a lot of how my dad handled things when I wasn't doing well in school. I'd even say that my father was more of an *beep* about it. The drug use isn't too far off IMO. It's more accurate for people who already are out of high school though. It really depends on the kids though. I had a few friends that got hooked on painkillers and died before they were 18. There were 4 fatal drinking and driving crashes by the time I graduated. This was in an upper-middle class area. The show focuses on the "bad kids" in high school though. It's not showing the straight A students who didn't get into any trouble.

Anwar's parents' reactions aren't necessarily unrealistic. It definitely depends on the family. Some Muslim families are much more accepting than others. Not all of them are strictly opposed to homosexuality. Chris' situation didn't seem completely unrealistic. I have a couple of friends whose parents aren't in their life at all. A lot of the time they try to come back into their lives and basically make up for abandoning them, but in the end they end up being unable to hack it. It's really *beep* up cause the kids get their hopes up and the parent lets them down. My mom's father abandoned her family and my aunt saw him 10 years later at a park with a different family. You can talk about Child Protective Services, but sometimes they're not contacted for one reason or another. Realistically though, a teacher would have contacted them if the kid had to live at the school cause he had nowhere else to go.

I really thought seasons 1- 3 were realistic, particularly 1, I've experienced family like that. There were parts that weren't but i did find it relatable, besides the parts revolving around drugs.

I live in Pakistan and I'm a Muslim,and I don't mind these things like homosexuality e.t.c and neither my parents.You should probably do some research.