Ginny and Georgia, a Netflix original series, is available for streaming February 24, 2021. Touted as a young adult mother/daughter coming of age series, is it appropriate for tweens and teens? I’ll be answering that question and more in this spoiler-free Ginny and Georgia Parents Guide and review. With a TV-MA rating, here’s what parents need to know about this Netflix original series.
Ginny and Georgia on Netflix: Parents Guide + Review
I was really excited when Netflix announced a new mother/daughter series. My mom is one of my best friends, so I always enjoy this theme. Ginny and Georgia was immediately compared to the popular series, Gilmore Girls. I want to jump right in saying that while yes, there is a young mother and teenage daughter, that is the ONLY similarity to Gilmore Girls.
Ginny and Georgia is dark. It’s mysterious. It’s thrilling, and it’s downright eye-opening. The amount of themes it tackles is very relevant for this time. But as a parent — it’s scary.
The Story
Georgia is a 30 year old single mother of 15 year old Ginny and 9 year old Austin. Their family has always been on the move and recently settle to an upscale town, Wellsbury, Massachusetts.
Georgia loves her children something fierce, but she’s a very different type of mother. She’s more of the mom who tries to be your friend rather than your parent. In fact, I’d say Ginny is much more of a mother figure to her brother than Georgia.
While Ginny is exceptionally smart, she is also incredibly naïve. She falls prey to peer pressure every single time. She is easily influenced to be well-liked and fit in with her new group of friends.
Georgia is not a very stable mother. She has a lot of dark secrets and a questionable past. She also has a bit of a reputation with her children of sleeping with a lot of different men throughout their lives.
Although Georgia is a bit of a mess, it’s still hard to dislike her. In her own twisted way, everything she does is for her children. It might not make sense to anyone else, but she firmly believes she always has their best interest at heart.
Ginny and Georgia Celebrates Diversity
I was extremely impressed with Ginny and Georgia’s diverse cast. Not only are the characters racially diverse, but one is deaf and the family communicates with sign language. Ginny’s new best friend is a lesbian, and everyone is so accepting of her. She also doesn’t have your typical stereotypes that are often associated with lesbians, which was refreshing.
Although there is evidently a strong commitment to diversity, that’s not to say these characters don’t have their own personal struggles. I loved how outspoken Ginny is about racial injustice. She is also a proud feminist and not afraid to speak up. I think that it’s important that although it’s 2021, racial injustice is still very much a thing. If we don’t bring light to this, then things will never change. Ginny and Georgia isn’t afraid to face that theme head-on.
But while I enjoyed this series and was on the edge of my seat for every unexpected twist and turn, would I recommend it for the tween and teenage audience?
Ginny and Georgia Age Recommendation
Ginny and Georgia has a TV-MA rating (mature audiences), meaning it might not be appropriate for children under 17 years old. And you know what? I’m going to agree with that. There is A LOT going on in this series that kids do not need to see. However, I do see tweens and teens wanting to watch it. The trailer looks intriguing — because IT IS. It’s only natural they would be drawn to the storyline…but that doesn’t make it okay. As a parent, there’s a few things you need to know about this series. Let’s take a closer look at some of the questionable thematic elements.
Profanity
Yes, there is a good amount of profanity in Ginny and Georgia. But with that being said, the language alone wouldn’t necessarily be the deal breaker for me.
Mature Content
There is a great deal of mature content in this series that parents should be forewarned about. Teenage pregnancy, self-harm, use of illegal drugs and underage drinking, physical abuse, molestation, peer pressure, divorce, racism, violence, and sex, are some of the heavy themes. I think what bothered me the most as a parent, was there was a lot of casual sex. I’m not a prude by any means, but the way sex was portrayed is definitely not how I’d like my child to perceive it.
If your teens are dead set on watching this show, or you know they’ll figure out a way to watch it without your consent, I’d encourage you to at least watch it with them.
Overall Thoughts
While I don’t think Ginny and Georgia is appropriate for kids to watch, I absolutely think parents should see this series. I think that’s who this show is made for and who will takeaway the most from it.
As parents, we need to be aware of what this generation is up against. We need to keep the communication open with our children to try to give them their very best shot in this scary world.
Are there things in this series that are farfetched? Sure. But the bottom line is these are very real scenarios. Our kids’ childhood is very different from ours.
Ginny and Georgia is certainly eye-opening, it’s twisted, filled with drama, and dark beyond measure. Although there is a lot to unpack in this series, we as parents need to see these things so we can be as prepared as we possibly can be for our children.
Ginny and Georgia Synopsis
Angsty and awkward fifteen year old Ginny Miller often feels more mature than her thirty year old mother, the irresistible and dynamic Georgia Miller. After years on the run, Georgia desperately wants to put down roots in picturesque New England and give her family something they’ve never had… a normal life. But it’s not all carpool and Kombucha as Georgia’s past threatens her and her family’s new way of life… and Georgia will do anything to protect her family.
Will there be a Season 2 of Ginny and Georgia?
It has been confirmed that there WILL be a second season of Ginny and Georgia! There has yet to be a release date announced.
Gavin
I watch the show and I’m 13 on Netflix it’s rated TV-14 and my Netflix account only lets me watch TV-14 and below I don’t know but I think it’s a good show for teens to watch but they should at least 13 and sex educated