Teen Films and Social Implications

Thesis The content of teen films, including (but not exclusive to) rebellion is dependent on the overall outlook of the “American Dream” during the period in which the film is made. As social norms shifted (most notably in the 80’s), so did the portrayal of teenage behavior in the films.

50’s Rebel Without A Cause focuses on obtaining a strong patriarchal family model This implies that at the time the American dream was to get back to the women in the house, the men being breadwinners and everybody being happy forever This also serves to show that the myth of the American dream may not be real at all and we are headed for a big social change

60’s & 70’s Teen films in the 60’s and 70’s focused on the individual and sexuality This is most likely due to the fact that these films happened during or directly after the “sexual revolution” of the 60’s

80’s Films during the 80’s truly marked the shift in Teen Rebellion During the Reagan Era, America was supposed to be a “super progressive nation” having gotten rid of social classes, civil rights issues etc. These movies focus on the kids in social situations and not necessarily anything outside of school or home Everybody loves everybody

90’s 90’s films like Dazed and Confused and Detroit Rock city focus on kids doing “Harmless Mischief”. Their fun is derived mostly from harmless transgressions i.e. drinking and the occasional sex romp Generation X is coming to the forefront and nobody knows if there is an American Dream anymore

90’s onward Films like American Pie and Superbad depict rebellion in the harmless mischief manner because there is a lack of social issues that people want to address For the first time in history, this generation has reached a plateau of success, there is nothing more to strive for Later films of this genre tend to side with the teens as they seek to achieve some sort of success but don’t necessarily go about it in a traditional manner. There is no right or wrong way to get to the top any more so why fight it.

Sources IA5&dq=teen+rebellion+film&lr=&cd=6#v=onepage&q=teen%20rebelli on%20film&f=false bellion+teen+film&lr=&cd=1#v=onepage&q=rebellion%20teen%20film &f=false &pg=PP8&dq=teen+rebellion+movie&ots=H403660fYZ&sig=YAJYB2 0BDfRhd5lqsZHunQZP244#v=onepage&q=teen%20rebellion%20mov ie&f=false