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Teen drama

Disciplines > Storytelling > Plots > Classic story types > Teen drama

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Teen stories tell tales about adolescence, growing up and the trials of youth.

Romantic sub-plots, with classic problems and thrills are played out. Clumsy and overly-eager boys trip over themselves in wooing amused and frustrated girls. Unattractive cygnets turn into confident swans. Nerds and introverts find unexpected love.

Parents, teachers and adults in general are often inferior to the confident and all-knowing teenage mind. As teenagers save the day, adults are witless fools or are nowhere to be seen until it is too late. Although parents may try to keep their kids on the straight and narrow they are no match for teenage guile.

Adults in teen stories sometimes are wise and a mentor may be found who helps the teenager develop. But such a person is the exception that proves the rule for the rest of the grown-up population.

Example

American Pie
Happy Days
Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Discussion

The teenage years are a problem for most people as they become hormonally charged and sexually active whilst struggling with their learning and pushing away from their families as they obey genetic commands to fly the coop and set up on their own. This provides a plentiful setting for many different stories of drama and adventure.The teenage audience may easily identify with major characters and the problems they face. Adults may feel nostalgic or may understand their children a little more. There may also be a voyeuristic sense of looking into another universe or vicarious wish-fulfillment of reliving a mis-spent youth.