Parenthood - Movie Review

Parenthood Analysis

This film brings to light the tribulations and struggles of the Buckman family, as they strive to raise their children to the best of their ability, with different styles, in different situations, and at different times of their lives. The movie is based around Gil and Karen and their three children. Their oldest son, Kevin, suffers from an emotional disorder. Helen, Gil's sister, is a divorced mother of two. She has a sixteen year old daughter, Julie, and a thirteen year old son, Gary. Julie is a wild child who sleeps with her low-class boyfriend in her mother's home and Gary is a very quiet kid who loves to skateboard and carries around a large brown paper bag filled with adult videos. Helen's ex-husband and father to her two children is a dentist that makes great money but only cares about his new family. Susan, Gil's other sister, is a school teacher and is married to an obnoxious, over-achieving husband, Nathan. They have a three year old daughter that he drills with flashcards.

There were a lot of different parenting styles that were going on. Parenting styles are a list of behaviors that parents use to influence the behavior of their children. Gil's father, Frank, was uninvolved when he was growing up and that made him strive to be a better father. I think Gil was authoritative. Gil's brother in law, Nathan, was authoritarian. Nathan wants his three year old to be an over achiever and grow up too fast. He is obedience and status orientated. Then we have Gil's sister Helen, who is indulgent. She is more responsive than demanding, nontraditional, and lenient. Finally, there is the younger brother, Larry. I see him as uninvolved even though he is taking care of his son he just recently found out about.

Gil's younger brother, Larry, has turned out to be the black sheep of the family, who has a gambling problem. He resurfaces to borrow money for his newest "get rich quick" business venture.

Gil's oldest son, Kevin, suffers from an emotional disorder. Kevin is a very emotionally tense little boy, who has trouble coping with school, challenges, and tension-filled situations. Families and parenting can play a decisive role in the short term and long term developmental outcomes of a child. Families provide the foundation upon which a child grows and develops. There are three main aspects of life that play an important role in development; parenting style, divorce, and day care. Karen is a stay at home mom so day care doesn't apply. Gil and Karen are called to meet with their son's principal and they find out that Kevin's behavioral problems were disruptive and the teacher spends too much of her time with him that it's holding back the entire class. The school psychologist states that Kevin should attend a special school next year.

Gil is a dedicated family man, and keeps a healthy balance between work and his family. Gil's boss has manipulated him into working long hours to become a partner where he works, which was never going to happen in the first place. His boss was intending to promote a younger guy to become partner from the beginning. He is determined to give his children the