Storylines often center on the protagonist’s search for identity. Relationships serve as a backdrop for learning about boundaries, communication, and self-discovery [4, 6].

: 18-year-olds are finalizing their sense of self separate from their family, which allows them to enter relationships as "whole" individuals rather than seeking someone to "complete" them. Intimacy vs. Isolation

Modern audiences are increasingly critical of how these relationships are depicted.

Scripting Adolescent Romance: Adolescents Talk about Romantic Relationships and Media's Sexual Scripts