Degrassi is the ONLY reason millennials aren’t totally fucked in the head

During the time Degrassi: The Next Generation aired on Teen Nick (back when it was The N), we were just pre-teens — forbidden to watch the insanity that is high school drama unfold. But if you were an asshole child like me and watched anyway, you probably learned most of life's do's and don'ts from those hallowed halls.

Now, re-watching it as a young adult, I'm realizing Degrassi wasn't only progressive as fuck, but it may be the reason we haven't totally fallen off.

Emma's first period

Emma Nelson didn't give a rat's ass being labeled a nerd, and she never backed down from someone she knew was in the wrong. Emma got her period for the first time in junior high and was forced to wear oversized gym shorts to replace her period-stained skirt.

Good 'ol JT tried to poke fun at her womanhood, but she took the teasing as an opportunity to educate that ass.

Terri's abusive beau

Terri's secret admirer turned domestic abuser was a hard episode to watch while holding back tears. Rick (the dick) inserted himself into Terri's life, leaving roses on her locker to reel her in. It worked at first, being that he was her first boyfriend, but getting bruised up and selling a cold sore as an excuse to her friends wasn't enough to make her stay. We knew better than to let this shit fly.

Ashley on ecstasy

I'm not sure many people knew that Ashley was only an 8th grader when she tried her first dose of E.

Needless to say, it wasn't pretty. She acted like a rude bitch to all of her friends at the party she was hosting and made-out with Sean while dating Jimmy (aka young Drake). The entire episode really fleshed out the effects of peer pressure and how it can lead a young person to lose all of his or her friends in one swoop. Lesson learned to stick to the lighter stuff, like vodka shots.

Manny's 'slut' phase…and abortion

Manny's character used to be cute and innocent in the first season, but she quickly became the poster-child for a good girl gone bad after trading in her pom poms for thongs.

At 14, though, her hotness upgrade (and Craig) got her pregnant, and Mannuella wasn't prepared for motherhood whatsoever. Abortion was as touchy a topic then as it is now, but in spite of the naysayers, Manny didn't want her own dreams to take a backseat, and she chose to go through with the abortion.

Paige's rape

One of the most memorable moments in Degrassi TV was when popular princess, Paige Michaelchuck, was raped by the star basketball player of Degrassi's rival school. The episode explored Paige's journey from her first few encounters with Dean (her rapist) through to her rape, and even the time she spent in counseling, ridding herself of the nightmares her attacker caused.

Even though it's been over 15 years since Degrassi first aired (feeling old yet?), it's hella ironic that we're still facing this shit today. The new teen shows need to step up.

@aribines