Ataraxia“Switched at Birth” is a television series from 2011. This five-season American show made quite a splash on ABC Family, but unfortunately, it didn’t cross the ocean as well, making it relatively unknown in France. Yet, this series is one of the highest-rated on ABC Family, winning the prestigious Peabody Award in 2013. It also received over 28 nominations for various awards (actors, screenplay, best program, etc.) and won more than 11. Additionally, the show was well-received by critics, with an average rating of 7.5/10.
Produced by David H. Halt, Shawn Wilt, and Sean Reycraft, Switched at Birth is a series that everyone should watch at least once in their life. The impact of this often-underestimated program is far more significant than expected, shining a light on several deaf or disadvantaged people, as well as the divide between the deaf and hearing communities, and between poverty and wealth. But beyond highlighting these issues, the show illuminates what connects us all. It also addresses various social and health issues, such as alcoholism. It explores themes of parenting, the importance of communication and social inclusion, cultural identity, and family bonds.
Switched at Birth follows Bay Kennish, who discovers through a biology test that her blood type is incompatible with that of her biological parents. After much persistence, her parents agree to take real blood tests, which reveal that Bay is indeed not the biological daughter of the Kennish family. It’s then uncovered that on the day Bay was born, a hospital employee accidentally swapped the names of two babies, leading to the infants being switched at birth.
When the Kennish family searches for the other family, they discover that their biological daughter, Daphne, is deaf and that Bay’s mother, Regina, has a very different social status than the Kennish family. The two families attempt to come to terms with the situation, but integrating into a new family and watching someone else integrate into theirs without feeling replaced proves to be a complicated process.
The story highlights Daphne’s strength of character as she navigates her deafness within a hearing family that initially struggles to adjust, and Bay’s enormous identity and cultural crisis, as she doesn’t know how to react to everything. The two families must learn to adapt and live together for the sake of the two young girls.
Switched at Birth stands out in the television landscape for its exploration of numerous issues and its focus on entertainment, making it a high-quality family series. Moreover, the entire production was conducted with the participation and supervision of experts in American Sign Language to ensure that the language used by the deaf characters was accurately represented.
It is also the first American series to use sign language entirely in one of its episodes, allowing hearing viewers to better understand the reality of deaf individuals.
Switched at Birth is a television masterpiece that showcases a necessary and refreshing diversification. The directors’ successful blending of social and health issues into an accessible family series is absolute perfection. This series deserves more attention because its societal impact could be immeasurable. It’s one of our favorite shows, and it should quickly become one of yours if you start watching from episode one.
