Category Archives: Parenting

Elf

Title: Elf

Date: 2003

Media type: Film

Format: Complete

Category: Parenting

Keywords: conflict management, family relationships, types of parents, work and family

Rating: PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Audience(s): Children Under 12, High School Age, College Age, Adults, Parents, Couples, Families

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Buddy the elf grew up in the North Pole and was raised by Papa Elf. In early adulthood he starts to realize that he is not like the other elves. Papa Elf finally tells buddy that he was actually taken from an orphanage in America. The movie follows Buddy as he goes to find his family in New York City during the Christmas season.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: What makes Buddy’s relationship with his biological father different from that of his relationship with his adoptive father Papa Elf? How do their parenting styles different from one another?

Contributor: Krista Hamann

The Devil Wears Prada

Title: The Devil Wears Prada

Date: 2006

Media type: Film

Category: Parenting

Keywords: Parenting adults, work and family

Rating: PG-13

Audience(s): High School Age, College Age, Adults, Parents, Couples

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Andrea (played by Anne Hathaway) is a Journalist desperately looking for a job to further her career. Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep) is discussed that Andrea would have even applied for the job considering her lack of desire in fashion, but decides to take a chance and hire her anyway. The movie follows Andrea in her job and focuses on how she changes as a person, the changing friendships and relationships, and the disapproval of her parents.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: Do you think that Andrea’s parents had a legitimate reason to be concerned with Andrea’s wellbeing? How should they parent or treat Andrea now that she is an adult? How does parenting change as children grow? Also, in what ways does Miranda parent her twins? Does she let her work get in the way of caring for her children?

Contributor: Krista Hamann

The Proposal

Title: The Proposal

Date: 2009

Media type: Film

Category: Parenting

Keywords: parent-child relationships, types of parents, conflict management, communication

Rating: PG-13

Audience(s): High School Age, College Age, Adults, Parents, Couples

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Margaret Tate is a high powered editor that is being deported back to Canada because her Visa expired. In order to try to keep her job, she announces that she is engaged to Andrew, her assistant. The two do not get along. In fact, they despise one another. To hide the fact that they are committing fraud, Margaret goes with Andrew to visit his family in Alaska and announce that they are engaged. While Andrew’s mother and grandmother are more than excited that Margaret with be a part of their family, Andrew’s father couldn’t show his disapproval for his son’s lifestyle more. The film follows the pair as they learn how to function as a couples and learn how to deal with his family.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: What causes the tension between Andrew and his father? How has being orphaned at a young age affected how Margaret developed as an individual?

Contributor: Krista Hamann