Overbearing Parents, Identity Struggles, and College Dreams: Forever Tackles It All

A few weeks ago, I noticed that "Forever," a new Netflix series, was gaining popularity on my timeline. At the time, I didn’t realize that it was inspired by Judy Blume’s groundbreaking 1975 novel of the same name. This novel is renowned for its raw and honest portrayal of adolescence and was truly ahead of its time.

What I discovered in the series was much more than nostalgia or entertainment. Forever beautifully captures the complex emotional landscape of adolescence—first love, identity exploration, and the pursuit of self-worth—all while weaving in the real pressures that young people face today, particularly around college admissions.

Mara Brock Akil, the visionary behind the adaptation, has reimagined the story for today’s world. She thoughtfully integrates contemporary themes, including the nuanced realities of preparing for college, the systemic challenges students face, and the social dynamics that shape their educational journeys. This series speaks not only to the youth experiencing these moments but also to those of us—educators, counselors, admissions professionals—who are guiding them.

Having spent over 25 years in the college admissions space, I approached the series with curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism. I’ve seen college represented inaccurately in media time and again. But to my genuine surprise, Forever gets it right. The show doesn’t reduce college to a status symbol or singular achievement—it presents it as a deeply personal, identity-driven journey shaped by community, access, ambition, and belonging.

In particular, I appreciated how the series highlighted a diverse array of postsecondary pathways and institutions—especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs)—and explored their significance within Black communities. These aren’t throwaway references. They reflect real choices, real challenges, and real hopes for students and families who are often navigating uncharted territory.

This is a reflection that hits home for my colleague Shereem Herndon-Brown and me, especially as we continue to share our book, The Black Families’ Guide to College Admission. From inception to publication, our mission has been to bring visibility to the nuanced and often-overlooked experiences of Black students and their families. Forever affirms that mission and reminds us why this work remains so vital.

What truly sets Forever apart is its refusal to simplify the lived experiences of students. It elevates the stories of:

• Middle- and upper-middle-class families of color

• Students with learning differences

• First-generation college students

• Student-athletes managing expectations and pressure

• Black students in predominantly white independent schools who often feel like “the only ones”

• And, notably, students navigating the high expectations—and sometimes overbearing involvement—of well-meaning but anxious parents

The portrayal of overbearing parents is especially important. It illustrates how even the most loving intentions can unintentionally add pressure, narrow a student’s sense of autonomy, and cloud their ability to define success on their own terms. As college admissions professionals, we see this dynamic often. Forever presents it with empathy, showing both the parents’ desire to protect and the child’s need to breathe.

For those of us in college counseling and admissions, Forever is more than entertainment. It’s a lens. A conversation starter. A mirror. It challenges us to think more intentionally about how we support students—not just in building competitive applications, but in navigating who they are becoming.

As summer approaches and we (hopefully) find time to rest and reflect, I encourage every counselor, admissions professional, educator, and parent to watch Forever. Not only for its insight, but for the empathy and awareness it cultivates. Young people are doing the hard work of growing up in a world that often overlooks their complexity. They need a community—a village—that listens, supports, and affirms them.

Forever is not just a coming-of-age story. It’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to create spaces of belonging, to lead with compassion, and to ensure that our guidance is grounded in humanity, not just in checklists.

Because real success isn’t measured only in college acceptances. It’s measured in confidence, clarity, and a sense of self that lasts long after the final decision is made—or isn’t made at all.

Written by Timothy Fields for Understanding the Choices