Tony doesn't discipline his kid. It's one thing for the kid to break the law, cause his dad does that. But AJ doesn't show respect for his parents. He doesn't listen to them, and doesn't fear the consequences, becuase Tony doesn't punish him.

AJ took his mother's car without permission, without a driver license. While avoiding a passing carful of girls he sideswiped a parked vehicle.

Meadow, AJ., Tony, and Carmella discussed the incident. AJ showed no remorse at all, and no respect for his parents. Tony halfway seriously threatened to throw AJ out the window but AJ wasn't the least bit concerned or afraid of his father. AJ defended his actions, saying he would be confirmed soon and be a man and could drive then, so what's the big deal?

When Tony told AJ "Go to your room" AJ said "No."

And then, "I'm serious. Why were we born?" Tony turn to Carmella as if to say "you wanna handle this?" When Carmella told AJ to go upstairs and do his math homework AJ replied "Algebra? That's so boring."

Sure, teenage angst. That's always been there. But the parents' reaction to it was certainly different in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. So are they trying to show that Tony and his generation have changed from the previous generation in how lenient they are with their kids? Is that part of the larger theme of the culture of the mob changing?