College Essay Prompt for the Netflix TV Show Adolescence

Essay Prompt Title:
The Crisis of Modern Masculinity: Examining the Roots, Expressions, and Consequences of Male Disaffection

Prompt:
In recent years, a growing body of journalism, academic inquiry, and media storytelling has focused on the increasing anger, alienation, and identity crises among young men. In “The Rage of Incels” by Jia Tolentino, “What’s the Matter with Men?” by Idrees Kahloon, “The Narcissism of Angry Young Men” by Tom Nichols, and the Netflix 4-part series Adolescence, we see portraits of disaffected males navigating a volatile mix of social rejection, economic disempowerment, and identity confusion. Some interpret this crisis as a failure of modern masculinity to adapt to shifting norms, while others view it as the backlash of entitlement, narcissism, or even latent misogyny in decline.

Write a 1,700-word argumentative essay that answers the following question:

To what extent is the male disaffection explored in these texts rooted in social and economic displacement versus personal entitlement and narcissism—and what are the consequences for society?

In your response, you must:

• Use all four required sources to support your claims:
  • Jia Tolentino’s “The Rage of Incels”
  • Idrees Kahloon’s “What’s the Matter with Men?”
  • Tom Nichols’ “The Narcissism of Angry Young Men”
  • Netflix’s Adolescence
• Develop a clear thesis statement that articulates your position on the causes and implications of male alienation.
• Organize your essay with well-developed body paragraphs that analyze textual evidence and provide insightful commentary.
• Include at least one counterargument that challenges your position.
• Offer a rebuttal to that counterargument, defending your thesis and strengthening your position.
• Connect your analysis to broader social, cultural, or political implications, showing why this issue matters beyond the texts themselves.