In both the film and novel the girl's mothers died when they were young. Emma and Cher are spoiled, in control socially, and tend to think too highly of themselves. This is a result of the lack of a maternal figure in their lives and the fact that their fathers were too easygoing and indulgent during their upbringing.
Another relationship issue that is shown in both the movie and novel is friendship, and follows on from the issue of Cher's and Emma's wealth and power. The snobbery of both girls leads Cher and Emma to, in their eyes, take pity on Tai and Harriet Smith, two girls of lower social status. Emma decides that Harriet should be made into a proper young lady, and that the friends Harriet has already made are unworthy of her and causing her harm. Even though Emma has never met Mr. Martin with whom Harriet has strong feelings for, she declares him as crude and uncultured and very unfit for her friend. Emma's arrogance causes her to think that Harriet's friends are not good enough for her and that they are holding Harriet back from a better social life and status. Even though Harriet is in the social class she should be in and as Mr. Knightly points out, "We do not even know her parents. They could be pirates for all we know". To prove Mr. Knightly wrong, Emma sets out on a mission to push Harriet forward to a more desirable status. Emma is hopeful that her influence on Harriet will be more than positive and sets out to improve Harriet and to remove her from bad acquaintances, and to introduce her to a good society where she would form new opinions and gain the manners and customs appropriate for a woman of Emma's social status. Harriet Smith is neither a clever or bright person, Harriet is therefore perfect material for Emma to mould. .
In Clueless, like Emma, Cher sets out to improve Tai, the new girl at school and the equivalent to Harriet Smith in Emma.