By Danni Ybarra | Staff Writer |
The classic lines “you can’t sit with us” , “on Wednesdays we wear pink” and “so fetch” have become a part of American culture, especially among teen girls.
The movie, which was loosely based on the book “Queen Bees and Wannabes”, showcases the “new girl” Cady, who falls in with the popular girls known as “The Plastics.”
She must learn to play the game of being a teenage girl if she is to survive her first year at a public high school.
“Mean Girls is a movie where the majority of adolescent categories are presented in the social dynamics of public high school in the United States, this makes for a relatable entertainment,” said student Stella Delgadillo.
The movie’s lasting power can be greatly attributed to the social dynamics Delgadillo references, and has even been a topic of sociological discussion.
Medium.com dissected the movie and compared it to key principles in sociology, focusing specifically on how Cady yearns for the approval of “The Plastics” while at the same time, seeks to destroy them.
They claim this is something common in social settings.
“Young girls can associate with characters in the movie on an emotional and/or physical level. It is much easier to enjoy a film when you can connect with it personally,” continued Delgadillo.
Student Billie Ortiz compared the movie to actual girls in high school.
He believes many girls will do anything necessary, including taking on a whole other persona, in order to fit in and think little about the consequences.
When students were asked how they think the movie has impacted our generation, the replies were understandably in favor of the message “Mean Girls” sends.
“It’s lasted so long and I think it’s always going to be relevant, we’re always going to quote it because it makes us take a look at ourselves and really think about the types of girls we are,” said student Tiffany
Shubin.
“Everyone is obsessed with their own life. We are narcissistic and neglectful of others feelings and situations,” said Delgadillo.
“The movie shows us that and creates a sense of community amongst girls and brings us all down to the same level,” continued Delgadillo.
For most of us, the movie was released before we were even old enough to watch it or fully grasp its concepts. However, that is the beauty of the movie.
Whether you are 11, 16, or 21 years old, the witty lines and bitchy attitudes are something all girls understand and the idea of Cady and “The Plastics” is one that will stand the test of time.
There is no doubt “Mean Girls” holds a spot as a cult classic for our generation and will continue to serve as a platform for the social issues of teen girls’ generations to come, and the most important thing to take from the movie is this:
“Don’t let the haters stop you from doing your thang.”
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