Tag Archives: conflict management

Internal Dynamics of Families

The Notebook

Title: The Notebook

Date: 2004

Media type: Film

Format: Complete

Category: Internal Dynamics of Families

Keywords: adolescence, conflict management, parent-child relationships, parenting styles, social and cultural influences

Rating: PG 13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned

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

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Duke goes to the Nursing home every day to read to an old woman who has senile dementia. The story is set in the 1930’s. The main character, wealthy 17-year-old Allie Hamilton, is spending the summer with her family in Seabrook. At the local carnival, she meets a man by the name of Noah. It wasn’t love at first sight, but it didn’t take long for the two to fall in love. However, Allie’s parents do not approve of Noah due to the fact that he is of a much lower social class than them. Her parents move to New York to separate the two and help Allie focus more on her studies. For the next 365 days, Noah wrote love letters to her, but Allie’s mother intercepted them. Allie had no knowledge that the letters existed. Three years later World War II begins, and Noah enlists himself and Allie works as an army nurse. As a nurse, Allie meets injured soldier, the wealthy Lon Hammond. When the war ends, the two run into each other and go on several dates. In no time the couple has fallen in love and are planning their wedding. Due to his higher social class, Allie’s parent can’t help but approve of their engagement. As they are preparing for the wedding, Allie sees an article that featured Noah. She sets out on a quest to find him to see where her mind is at regarding him. The two start right where they left off, but this leaves Allie more confused than ever. Should she chose the love of her life Noah, or should she go with Lon, someone that she doesn’t love as much but will always be able to provide for her?

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: What type of parenting style do Ali’s parents have? Do you feel that they created good structure for their daughter or they sheltered her too much?

Places to view: ITunes, YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play

Contributor: Krista Hamann

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

Parenting

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