It was The Breakfast Club that elevated Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, and Molly Ringwald to stardom. The story of five kids coping with Saturday detention is regarded by many as the greatest coming of age stories of all time, and perhaps, more importantly, it has taught us life lessons that are relevant to people of all age groups as it resonates well across generations.
Here’s what we learned from The Breakfast Club
Asking Important Questions in Life
Breaking barriers and achieving success requires hard work and making smart decisions. In The Breakfast Club, we see the teens bringing up important questions about life. It’s the most effective way of learning made more important by the fact that remarkable thinkers never quit asking questions because they know it’s the perfect way to gain deep insights.
To Be Proud of Who You Are
In an age where images of picture-perfect celebrities are imposed on impressionable young people, The Breakfast Club encouraged its viewers to embrace who they really are instead of conforming to society’s unrealistic standards. We learn to respect ourselves and trust our own abilities, that we are unique in our own little way. There is no need for any of us to change who we are to fit into someone else’s ideals.
Are You Insecure? Own It
We all have some insecurities in life that prevent us from crawling out of our little shells. The Breakfast Club has taught us to own up to these insecurities, to stay bold, and to be proud. It’s very similar to how Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) from Game of Thrones puts it— wear your own preconceived weaknesses like an armor so others can’t use them to hurt you.
Everyone is Struggling Through Life
Every person around us is going through something that bothers them. They are just good at hiding what hurts them. They hide what plights them from public scrutiny and try to solve it in isolation, but sometimes their miseries creep out of its cage. This flawed approach to life can backfire in many ways, and you eventually start believing you are the only person going through problems. That simply isn’t life.
Parents Play important roles in Our Lives
What’s the secret behind Bender’s generally distraught behavior? The same reason why many of us struggle: our parents. Bender’s problems at home made him skeptical about others around him, so he distanced himself from social interaction and engaged in disruptive behavior.
Finding a Common Enemy
There is a group of people with conflicting interests and goals who find themselves at odds with each other. What’s the best way to unite them? The Breakfast Club helps us unravel human psychology by delving deep into the minds of the five protagonists who unite over their mutual hatred of a common enemy, which in this case is the assistant principal Richard Vernon.
It was refreshing to see everyone cover for Bender when he closed the library doors and sneaked out of solitary confinement even though everyone had a general disregard for his antics.
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