Category Archives: Families in Society

Families in Society, Internal Dynamics of Families, Parenting

The Incredibles

Title: The Incredibles

Date: 2004

Media type: Film

 

Rating: PG – Parent Guidance Suggested

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

Language: English

Source: YouTube

Film/Episode Summary: In this lauded Pixar animated film, married superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) are forced to assume mundane lives as Bob and Helen Parr after all super-powered activities have been banned by the government. While Mr. Incredible loves his wife and kids, he longs to return to a life of adventure, and he gets a chance when summoned to an island to battle an out-of-control robot. Soon, Mr. Incredible is in trouble, and it’s up to his family to save him. (IMBD)

 

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: This film is great at teaching parents how to talk to their children and maintain expectations in times of immense stress. The film also does a good job representing how the ways a parent talks to a child and phrases a conversation contributes to the child’s sense of self.

Contributor: Kayler Nelson

Ethical Issues and Dilemmas, Families in Society, Family Life Education and Methodology, Interpersonal Relationships, Parenting

Life as we Know It

Title: Life as we Know It

Date: 2010

Media Type: Film

Rating: PG 13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned

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

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary:The movie follows Holly and Messer as they raise a little girl named Sophie. Sophie’s parents died when she was a few months old and they left Holly and Messer to care for her, but Sophie’s parents never told the pair that. As the film plays out, Holly and Messer figure out how to navigate parenthood while also being heavily invested in their careers.

Places to view: Youtube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, Itunes

Contributor: Krista Hamann

Families in Society, Health and Human Sexuality, Internal Dynamics of Families, Interpersonal Relationships, Parenting

That 70’s Show

Title: That 70’s Show

Date: 1998 – 2006

Media type: Television 

Format: Episode

TV Season-Episode: Season 2, Episode 24

Rating: PG 13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned

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

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: That 70’s Show is a comedic television show set in the 1970’s in small town Wisconsin. By examining the relationship between the father, Red Foreman, and his teenage son Eric we are able to evaluate gender socialization. Specifically, we are able to look at the pressure on fathers to depict masculinity. At times this can create to distance in the parent child relationship because child rearing is seen as “soft” in American culture, and less socially acceptable for men to take part in.

Clip Start Time: 16:48

Clip Description: This clip takes place at the Foreman residence after Red has fired an employee from the store he and his son both work at. Eric is upset, and asking Red about why he did this. Red responds saying “what kind of man cries after 15 minutes of yelling?!”, giving the idea that men should not cry or be emotional. After Red leaves, his wife Kitty tells Eric that Red yells because he cares.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: What kind of parenting style would we classify Red Foreman as? What does Kitty’s reaction when she explain to Eric that Red yells because he cares say about fatherhood? About parenting? What is your reaction to her comment?

Places to view: Amazon Video

Contributor: Eva Peterson