Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ Teaches Us 7 Important Life Lessons
**Spoiler Alert**
If you are anything like me you have probably binge-watched, Bridgerton. It is one of the latest creations by Netflix , Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes. I initially thought I would NOT enjoy it, but I was completely wrong! I was sucked in by all the drama, betrayal, trauma, family feuds and elitism.
After being unable to stop watching from the first episode, I quickly realized this show was not just for mere entertainment. If we pay close attention, it is teaching us some valuable life lessons we cannot ignore.
1. Childhood trauma is real
Bridgerton showed us an accurate depiction that not everyone has warm, caring, loving parents. In fact, the Duke had parents that left him scarred in more area than one. His mother passed shortly after giving birth to him (which was a major loss), he had a speech impediment (which secluded him from others) and he had a father who was mentally abusive (which impacted ALL his relationships).
Unaddressed wounds from our childhood can play a major role in how we show up in roles as adults. Look at how the Duke vowed to never marry or have children based on the unhealthy relationship he had with his father. When we address the things that plague us from childhood, we start to heal our future.
2. Mother-daughter relationships are so important!
Your mother should be the one who teaches you how to become a woman, share the difficulties you may face at each stage of life and provide as much guidance, love and protection as possible. In Bridgerton, it seems like ALL the mothers primary focus was on making their daughters look great with all these fancy dances & dresses to eventually become a wife and a mother of their own. There was so much emphasis placed on marriage and having children that all the other elements of motherhood was ignored.
Daphne’s mother could not even have a basic conversation with her about sex and how children are born. She had to learn these things from other people, which resulted in so much pain and undue heartache with her future husband. They even deemed kissing inappropriate before marriage even while intentionally courting. (wow!)
Trust me, there were no shortage of sex scenes in every episode! However, it reminded me of what you do (or don’t do) as a mother can be passed down for generations.
3. It is okay to go against the grain!
Daphne’s younger sister, Eloise, was a prime example of how it is perfectly fine to go against the norm. Not being in society yet but having no longing to be married, gave us an epic depiction of individuality. Eloise wanted more for herself and she seemed determined to make it happen.
This reminds me of all the creative minds and unique individuals who do not fit into a particular mode in society. It is okay to be different. Different does not mean bad. Different means there’s more to life than sameness. So be you and do what you do! Boldly.
4. Every Family Has Issues
Whew! This is an understatement. Nothing is as it seems. In Bridgerton, almost every family had some type of financial, sexual, jealousy secret. It is a candid reminder that no family is perfect, even the most elite! Being a Bridgerton came with a responsibility due to the name alone. No matter what your name is, you still have to uphold core values that are presentative of you and your family.
Even some of the wealthiest people on earth have issues. If you are looking at your family and thinking they are the worst, then chances are they might be (lol). However, I am sure you are in good company. There’s always another family going through something similar. Our first intention is to hide or cover it up based on shame…not realizing the very people you are worried about finding out is also trying to keep their own family secrets under wrap.
5. Men and Women are Conditioned Differently
For as long as we can remember, men and women have been socialized differently. Bridgerton showed us this is particularly true in the sex department. It was secretly okay for all the men to kiss, have sex with others (even outside their marriage). However, it was expected for women to modest, not kiss or have sex before marriage. Daphne had never even touched herself (which is a different conversation for a different time lol). I laughed a few times when women were forced/rushed to marry due to kissing and what they deemed as inappropriate touching.
6. There will always be haters or someone in your business
Lady Whistledown is the ultimate example of how there will always be someone watching your journey. Let’s be honest! Not only will they be watching, but they will also have an opinion about it. Haters, gossipers, nosey people are inevitable. It comes with the territory. The key is to make sure that you do not allow the opinion of others to overtake your life.
Everyone’s eyes and ears were glued to what Lady Whistledown had to say in her newsletter. It literally shaped how families were viewed and what was the hottest thing to talk about. We yearn to know what goes on in other people’s lives…especially celebrities. Just look at the popular show TMZ.
Word of Wisdom: Mind your own business at all times!
7. Love is a gift and a curse
“Go tell the queen how much you are in love!” was one of the lines that stood out to me. It reminded me that people marry for many different reasons: family, money, prestige, to be included, to take on a certain last name, to avoid being alone, to have children etc. In Bridgerton, it seemed like the ultimate goal was not just to matter, but to have a ‘love marriage’.
Marrying someone because you really love them and want to do life with them is beautiful. That was not the norm here. The Duke struggled with this because he knew that falling in love with Daphne would change everything…even how the promise he made to his father on his deathbed to never marry or have children.
Love is…
Let’s see what life lessons Season 2 will teach us about love, relationships, family, trama and betrayal.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Kiaundra Jackson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, TV Personality, Award-Winning Speaker. She is a noted expert on healthy relationships and mental health. Grab her latest book, Hard Work or Harmony?
