REPRESENTATION OF TEENAGERS AND DRUG ABUSE IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN TEEN FILMS

Abstract

This dissertation project investigates representations of youth and teen drug abuse in three contemporary American films: Thirteen (2003), Perfect High (2015) and Beautiful Boy (2018). Using teen genre theory and theory of drug use stereotyping in cinema, it examines the progress and growth of the teen genre in terms of more accurate and realistic representation of adolescents dealing with issues of drug abuse. In an effort to provide a comprehensive look of troubled youth on screen, this qualitative analysis revolves around two themes: 1) the portrayal of troubled youth in films today 3) stereotyping of rebellious youth with regard to inevitable downward spiral, sexual licentiousness and criminal activity. Overall, the study seeks to emphasise the significance of troubled youth films within the teen genre and address concerns of some common drug use stereotypes.