13. Sub Genre Conventions for Teen Drama

Conventions of a Teen Drama

Plots, Characters and social groups

Many teen dramas follow conventions based on teenage life, which are normally affected by social settings such as school or home, as well as issues such as peer pressure, romance or problems with 'coming of age.'

Cliques form the popular teen film 'Mean girls'

Social Groups or 'Cliques'
Cliques refers to a group of individuals who are labelled by their social status. This can be influenced by popularity, hobbies and interests.

Common conventions of teen drama Cliques:

• Jocks/Cheerleaders
• Geeks/Nerds
• Loners
• Stoners
• Popular
• Artistic 
• People who don't fit a clique (Who are usually the protagonists of the film)

Stereotypes

Different cliques are often stereotyped and expected to behave, act and dress in a particular way. Some common stereotypes are:

Geeks

Often wearing thick layered miss matched clothing, with large glasses and/or braces, with no attention to their personal appearance. Often really clever, carrying large amounts of books and are often incapable of talking to the opposite sex.

Cheerleaders

Often skinny young females dressed in a short skirted tight cheerleaders outfits. Generally with blonde hair, portrayed as dumb and obsessed with their appearance and social status. They have large groups of friends and are often admired by all. They are usually seen to be flirty with the opposite sex, and often date a popular 'jock.'

Jocks

Males with an interest in sport (usually American Football). Broad, muscular, and stereotypically manly with interest in food, sport and women. They are often portrayed as stupid and mean to those of a lower social standing.

Outsider

Often alone, with unusual style that allows them to unintentionally stand out from a crowd. Outsiders are likely to wear band logos of old or unknown bands, and will often have habits that don't conform to that of the other more popular groups. They may have a few friends, although are viewed by other teens as the 'losers' who cannot fit into 'typical school life.'

Plot Lines

Peer Pressure

Many  issues raised in films involve a pressure. A pressure to fit into a crowd or make friends. Or to do something they may not feel comfortable with because friends are doing it, such as smoking, drinking, drugs or sex. The character must decide whether to cave into the pressure and do something they do not want to do, and must deal with the consequences of their actions.

Conformity

This is normally about defying the stereotypes of their social class. For example a jock who wants to join a choir or become a mathematician, or a geek who wants to join the sports team or has a crush on a popular cheerleader. This plotline often follows acceptance and challenges social status. A good example of conformity is 'She's the Man' where the main character wants to play football so has to dress as a boy to get into a reputable team. 

Outcast

Follows someone who has not managed to form a social group and feels excluded from society. An example of this would be the teen drama 'Awkward' where the main character does not make friends and has to move schools to try and make a fresh start.