What's the big deal with "Mean Girls," anyways?

The teen comedy “Mean Girls” debuted more than 15 years ago but it still is celebrated among millennials and teenagers today. Beyond just humor, the film's portrayals of high school and teenage girls is rooted in anthropology. Lindsey Lohan's character compares the dynamics of teenagers in high school to animals in the wild. The movie's imitations of high school popularity, "burn book" rumors and cafeteria cliques are absurd — but they're also relatable and informative.

Class discussion: If you have seen “Mean Girls,” do you think it relates to life in your school? Is equating the dynamics of teenagers with wild animals a fair comparison? Why or why not? Do you ever feel like your school is like a “jungle”? Have you been bullied emotionally or physically by another student? Have you bullied someone else? Are you a member of a clique? Do you sometimes feel like an outsider? Do you ever empathize with “outsiders” and try to befriend them?