Tag Archives: agency

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Title: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Date: 2005

Format: Film

Rating: PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

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

Language: English

Source: Netflix

Film/Episode Summary:The movie tells the story of a candy and chocolate creator named Willy Wonka. One day, he decides to invite five children and their guardians to come and tour his giant factory. In order to win, you must find one of the five golden tickets that have been hidden inside random Wonka Bars around the world. Ultimately, two girls and three boys are the lucky winners: Veruca Salt and her father, Violet Beauregarde and her mother, Mike Teavee and his father, Augustus Gloop and his mother, and the main character, Charlie Bucket, and his grandfather. Each child has a unique relationship with their caregiver, seeing as everyone comes from diverse backgrounds. The viewer can watch the many parent-child interactions unfold while the tour progresses. As new challenges surface throughout the day, conflict arises between the family members. The viewer is even able to gain knowledge into Mr. Wonka’s relationship with his father through flashbacks that are shown. Eventually, each child is sent home and Charlie is the last one at the factory. This means that he “won” and his reward is to inherit the business.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching:What scenes or situations in the movie could you relate to with your own children? What were some examples of both effective and ineffective parenting techniques in the film? What advice would you offer to the more ineffective parents in order to help them improve their techniques?

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

Contributor: Ivy Johnson

Roseanne

Title: Roseanne

Date: 1989

Media type: Television

Format: Episode

TV Season-Episode: Season 2, Episode 10

Category: Parenting

Rating: G – General Audiences

Audience(s): Parents, Couples, Families

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: This episode centered around Darlene, the middle child in a family of 5, age 13, who is a self described “tomboy” who likes playing sports and watching sports on tv with her father. Darlene must write a poem for school, prompting her mother to share her love of poetry with her . Darlene’s poem ultimately wins the contest and is selected to be read aloud by her at the school’s “culture night”. Roseanne is insistent she attend. Darlene does want to do, afraid that her poem actually “sucks”. Roseanne and her husband disagree. Darlene is made to attend. Roseanne seeing, a bit of herself in Darlene is moved to tears by the poem as she hears of her daughters pain of being stripped of agency, feeling isolated and alone.

Clip Description: This episode is a touching and realistic example of a mother trying to find communion with the child she has the least in common with. It is a clear example of the bidirectional nature of agency and power between parent and child, showing the continuing theme of resistance in parent-child interactions with opportunities for growth and communion

Places to view: Amazon Video

Contributor: Lisa Erbes