This song isn't only about parents. It's about ANYTHING trying to take control of things in your life. Government, teachers, anyone!! This can be shown by a quote in the 2003 movie that this musical was inspired from: "The Man. Oh, you don't know the Man? He's everywhere - In the White House... down the hall... Ms. Mullins, she's the Man. And the Man ruined the ozone, he's burning down the Amazon, and he kidnapped Shamu and put her in a chlorine tank! And there used to be a way to stick it to the Man. It was called rock 'n roll, but guess what, oh no, the Man ruined that, too, with a little thing called MTV! So don't waste your time trying to make anything cool or pure or awesome 'cause the Man is just gonna call you a fat washed up loser and crush your soul. So do yourselves a favor and just GIVE UP!" There are many quotes such as these from this movie. When he says "Stick it to the man", he means be angry, don't let them take control.. Give your comeback, fight back! Don't let this bs that people brainwashed into "law" and "rights" seem to take you down as anything. There's a machine of organised control in almost EVERYTHING around you. Be your own person, question things. Fight for what's right!!