Like in reality, this movies in this era portray strained relationship of adolescents with their parents and other adults. In the 1980s, teenagers were spending less time with their parents and not seeking their advice, but instead confided in their peers or siblings. The concept of the traditional family in the post-war years became fragmented, and young people were more independent and less reliant on their parents with regards to decision making and emotional support. The dramatization of the generational gap in the films reflected what was happening in modern society.
Generational divide is another topic which surfaces again and again during the 1980s teen films about teens rebelling against adult authority.
