I'm gonna add the stuff that goes on at my high school to the other view points - just as another sample US school.
Drinking:
Of all the things you've mentioned, this is the most common at my high school. It's definitely not the rule - neither I nor any of my close friends has had alcohol. But, it's not unusual - I move around in the same circles as people who do.
I think the number really goes up senior year. Last year, I was really surprised whenever I found out about someone drinking. There have always been plenty of people who drink, but generally people who I don't interact with. But this year, almost every week I've been finding out about someone or the other I talk to on a daily basis and have classes with drinking.
Even in MitM, it's common enough that it's explicitly shown like 3 times (Stupid Girl, Watching the Baby and Thanksgiving) and refered to at other times.
Drugs:
On this one the divide is clearer. If someone who you know drinks, chances are, you'll still remain friends with them and interact with them. But with drugs, you have to join one group or the other. People at my high school who do drugs generally don't hang out with the one that don't. We still have many classes together and talk to each other, but only at school, and there's always the thought lurking at the back of you're head.
I would think it's the same with MitM. People aren't gonna talk to you about drugs unless you're close to them and they're sure you won't jdge them and that they can trust you. I doubt that Reese and Malcolm are that close to anyone.
Sex:
Again, less common than the others. It's not as openly talked about, so I don't know as many rumors.
Although MitM doesn't explicitly refer to sex in reference to the boys often, when they do talk about it, it's a detail not the plot itself. It's not meant to be a big deal. So, I think it's not that the boys aren't exposed to it but rather that it doesn't merit an episode.
Smoking:
Hmm...I'm not sure, but I think it's less common than the others. I'm not sure b/c I have friends whose friends outside of school smoke, but in my school, I think it's rare. People who smoke do harder stuff and people who don't - well, don't.
Fox's influence:
I don't think MitM is holding back because of restrictions by Fox. If you've watched The War at Home, it's pretty clear that all that 'family values' talk is pretty shallow. Also, remember, Fox is the channel that shows The O.C.
What a badly organized post...I'llcome back to it later and try to fix it
Drinking:
Of all the things you've mentioned, this is the most common at my high school. It's definitely not the rule - neither I nor any of my close friends has had alcohol. But, it's not unusual - I move around in the same circles as people who do.
I think the number really goes up senior year. Last year, I was really surprised whenever I found out about someone drinking. There have always been plenty of people who drink, but generally people who I don't interact with. But this year, almost every week I've been finding out about someone or the other I talk to on a daily basis and have classes with drinking.
Even in MitM, it's common enough that it's explicitly shown like 3 times (Stupid Girl, Watching the Baby and Thanksgiving) and refered to at other times.
Drugs:
On this one the divide is clearer. If someone who you know drinks, chances are, you'll still remain friends with them and interact with them. But with drugs, you have to join one group or the other. People at my high school who do drugs generally don't hang out with the one that don't. We still have many classes together and talk to each other, but only at school, and there's always the thought lurking at the back of you're head.
I would think it's the same with MitM. People aren't gonna talk to you about drugs unless you're close to them and they're sure you won't jdge them and that they can trust you. I doubt that Reese and Malcolm are that close to anyone.
Sex:
Again, less common than the others. It's not as openly talked about, so I don't know as many rumors.
Although MitM doesn't explicitly refer to sex in reference to the boys often, when they do talk about it, it's a detail not the plot itself. It's not meant to be a big deal. So, I think it's not that the boys aren't exposed to it but rather that it doesn't merit an episode.
Smoking:
Hmm...I'm not sure, but I think it's less common than the others. I'm not sure b/c I have friends whose friends outside of school smoke, but in my school, I think it's rare. People who smoke do harder stuff and people who don't - well, don't.
Fox's influence:
I don't think MitM is holding back because of restrictions by Fox. If you've watched The War at Home, it's pretty clear that all that 'family values' talk is pretty shallow. Also, remember, Fox is the channel that shows The O.C.
What a badly organized post...I'llcome back to it later and try to fix it