The show is known for its frequent use of thinly-veiled analogies to tell stories about real-world conflict, usually having to do with sexual/gender identity, relationships and social justice.
- Homeworld's attitude towards fusion is highly complicated, but has parallels to sexuality and racism. Gems of the same type can fuse with each other as a strategy, merely enhancing the base gem's abilities. However, Ruby, a base gem, wasn't even allowed to touch Sapphire, an aristocrat gem, and the two of them fusing, even by accident, prompted Blue Diamond to order Ruby's gem shattered. Garnet is also incredibly surprised that Rose isn't disgusted by her, because of the blending.
- As of "Off Colors", it's revealed that on Homeworld, cross-gem fusions best case scenario is losing their job, and worst case is being permanently separated or even shattered.
- Gems that are deemed defective, like Amethyst or Padparadscha, also draws a parallel with disabled people.
- The plot of "Gem Drill", where Steven and Peridot have to go deep into earth and drill through giant cluster of gems before it forms, has parallels to abortion. Later, when Steven meets the Cluster trying to form a body and starts feeling their pain, he starts sweating and grabs the gem on his bellybutton, giving the impression that he has labor pains.
- When Amethyst says she "didn't ask to be made" it's very reminiscent of someone who found out they were born from an accidental pregnancy. It's also the common cry of the Emo Teen, who laments that they "didn't ask to be born" in to the life they have. This can also be combined with the mother-daughter relationship between Pearl and Amethyst, considering Pearl belonged to Pink Diamond, and thus feels partially responsible for the Kindergarten.
- Worse, Amethyst was created as the result of a horrific and monstrous act, something so horrible that it was the reason for the Gem's rebellion. Amethyst's issues surrounding this mirror those of a Child by Rape. Hell, considering the fact that she's a mineral-based alien, and her creation involved other mineral-based aliens forcibly taking over a planet and hijacking its minerals in order to reproduce, causing the planet to suffer in the process, she pretty much is the closest thing a Gem ever could be to a child conceived from rape.
- It can be safe to say that Jasper and Lapis' relationship is a lot like Domestic Abuse. "Alone At Sea" really showcases this. Jasper is domineering, aggressive, and manipulates Lapis into doing things she doesn't want to do (i.e. saying how she's changed, encouraging that their relationship will be "better this time," etc.) while Lapis blames herself for taking out all her anger and frustration on Jasper and admits that even though she hates Jasper, she misses her.
- When Jasper forcefully and violently fuses with a gem monster to get her power high again, it looks a lot like she's transferring her abusiveness towards a new partner. When that fusion quickly disintegrates, she laments that nobody she fuses with ever wants to stay, which is a not-so-subtle indication at how screwed-up her view on relationships is. Then she gets infected by the monster's Corruption, much like an STD.
- Steven being mistaken for his mother Rose at first seems like something unique to Jasper because he used Rose's shield. Gradually, it's shown Homeworld in general think Steven and Rose must be the same person because they have the same gemstone, regardless of his acts or feeling. Even the other Crystal Gems take some time to understand Steven is not Rose. All of this strongly resembles one struggling to get their chosen gender identity recognized by others (on an individual and societal level).
- Later, in "Legs From Here To Homeworld", the way Blue and Yellow Diamond talk about White Diamond and her temper comes across as older siblings trying to keep their younger sibling safe from an Abusive Parent.
- In "Change Your Mind", the gentle way Blue says "She prefers to be called Steven" in the face of Yellow insistently calling Steven "Pink" can come across as a parent learning to accept their child's transitioning. Especially after she herself had repeatedly called him by "Pink" and making him act a certain way, before realizing just how much she had hurt "Pink"/Steven by trying to force him into being someone he was not.
