I watch way too much television despite not even having cable. Now, my diagnosis of way too much may be different from other peoples but still, it’s a problem. Most of the TV I watch isn’t even good. It’s brain numbing mindless mush. I try to find ‘good’ TV shows that give me the same relaxed ‘I can turn my brain off now’ feeling but I tend to get bored of them after only one or two seasons.

When Glee first came out it was a revelation. It was a sing-a-long that made me laugh and also made me feel like I was supporting a show with values. A few episodes into the first season I even convinced my mom to watch it with my youngest sister as it addressed hot topics that can be tough for parents to broach with their children. However, after a few seasons and a few too many episodes that pushed humor beyond the acceptable, including a running joke about eating disorders, I was disillusioned and looking for something new to watch.

Along came The Fosters. A new show on ABC Family this season, The Fosters is the one show that every teen should be watching. Only five episodes in, they are already tastefully tackling lesbian relationships, biracial relationships, adoption, foster care, teen pregnancy, ethnic identity, education, behavioral issues, and drug use. All of this, that could so easily drag a show into the trashy and overdone category that includes 90210 and Gossip Girl, is wrapped up in a family that is as untraditional as it is wholesome, loving, and funny. Think of it as a more issues-based version of Modern Family (another of my favorite shows).

Today, young people are living in a world that is adopting more and more progressive views of equality. However, many young people live in areas that don’t embrace or represent those same views. I, for example, grew up in an small town that embraced many religions and sexual orientations but had two African Americans and one Latino in my entire elementary school that was also predominately upper class. Racial and socioeconomic diversity either wasn’t visible or actually didn’t exist.

The Fosters is a show that can help all teens, but especially young people who don’t have the example of diversity and acceptance in their homes, schools, and towns, embrace all people and better understand the challenges that others face to find their place in today’s ever changing world.