Like most people, my obsession for television shows tend to start on Netflix. As I was aimlessly browsing on what to binge watch to fulfill my lazy day, I stumbled across the title, Switched at Birth, in my recommended shows. I remembered seeing commercials for it on ABC family but for some reason never watched. Man, was I missing out on a hidden gem.
Switched at Birth, follows the life of 2 girls that have had everything but a conventional one. Like the name suggests, Bay Kennish and Daphne Vasquez were accidentally switched at the hospital when they were born and taken home by the wrong family- each family realizing that the swap occurred 16 years later. Now the girls must figure out how to live knowing that the only life they’ve ever known wasn’t the life they were meant to be living.
Sounds like a classic ABC Family show, right?
Well, of course it has all the characteristics of a traditional teen drama, but it’s also so much more than that. Switched at Birth offers its audience a chance to peer into a world they otherwise might not have been exposed to- the world of deaf culture. While simultaneously giving a platform to highlight touchy subjects that need addressing.
As you watch the show, you find out that one of the daughters who were switched at birth, Daphne, lost her hearing at 3 years old when she contracted meningitis. When her biological parents found out their daughter was deaf, they went into a culture shock. They were completely misinformed and unaware of how to communicate with Daphne, which is a problem.
I can count on my one hand how many times I have come in contact with a deaf person. I know very few signs or even effective ways to try and bridge the communication gap. So many schools stress the importance of learning a foreign language but very rarely is ASL (American Sign Language) even a thought of consideration.
As of November 2015, there are more than 28 million Americans who are considered deaf or hearing-impaired, according to the National Court Reporters Association. 1 in 8 people in the United States aged 12 years or older have hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations. As common as hearing issues are, there is still not enough talk about it.
Until Switched at Birth.
Without spoiling too much of the show, there are many subplots that teach people how to be more sensitive to the deaf culture. What is considered ignorant. How it’s not necessary to scream, they still won’t hear you. It also shows how much deaf people have to adjust their lives to do simple tasks you and I might not have any trouble doing. Think about going to a drive-thru. Or better yet, you don’t think about it. That is because we don’t have to. Talking on the phone, placing orders, hearing the doorbell ring are all normal life occurrences- but not in everyone’s daily life.
Learning ASL has been my favorite part of watching Switched at Birth. I’ve downloaded an app called The ASL App that teaches me a new sign everyday. This, alongside the show’s captions, really help you to learn sign language. One of the most eye-opening episodes occurred in the second season, titled Uprising. The entire episode, other than ambient noise, is done completely in ASL, showing you what it’s like to be deaf.
Not only does Switched at Birth teach you about a new culture, it also hits on topics affecting our generation.
The topic of rape has been widely discussed lately and Switched at Birth added its voice to this commentary. Rape on campus is a serious issue and it’s not always black and white. During the fourth season, Bay finds herself the morning after a party in her ex-boyfriends dorm room. She wakes up knowing what happened the night before but doesn’t know if she consented to it. Over the course of a few episodes, the show discussed how rape affects all parties involved (emotionally and physically) and how complicated it is.
The current season of Switched at Birth, sheds a light on racial tensions facing students on college campuses. Though the season is ongoing, the episodes that have aired have been impactful. Daphne and her friend, Mingo, attend a costume party where Mingo dresses up as Lil’ Wayne. They see it as a harmless costume but the African American students see it differently. Daphne’s friends teach her what it means to be black on campus and the hardships they face daily. I can already tell this season is going to address important topics that are prevalent in our society.
Photo taken from SAB Facebook page
Switched at Birth might have been aimed at a younger demographic, but its content matter is far from juvenile. This show doesn’t shy away from addressing topics like the ones mentioned above but also it discusses socio-economic differences, dating your boss, having children with disabilities, how deaf kids and hearing kids interact and a myriad of other topics that life throws at you.
The only downside to Switched at Birth is the fact that it’s ending. After five short seasons, the current season airing will feature 10 episodes ending with a 90 minute series finale.
Don’t worry, the last four seasons are still available for you to watch on Netflix and maybe if enough of us cross our fingers, a revival could happen. That seems to be the trend, anyways.
Switched at Birth airs every Tuesday night at 9 PM EST, on Freeform.
Photo taken from SAB Facebook page
HCXOXO,
Imani Craig
Sources:
https://www.reference.com/world-view/statistics-deaf-population-3a3b6188cbe7dff8
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