Tag Archives: parent-child relationships

Internal Dynamics of Families, Parenting

Are We There Yet?

Title: Are We There yet?

Date: 2005

Media type: Film

Format: Clip

Category: Internal Dynamics of Families, Parenting

Keywords: response to crises, parent-child relationships, stepfather

Rating: PG

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

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Nick Persons is interested in Suzanne Kingston and wants to form a relationship with her. In order to do this though, he needs to get past her two children, Lindsey and Kevin. Nick agrees to take Lindsey and Kevin to their father’s house, and this turns into a crazy car ride.

Clip Description: Kevin and Lindsey arrive at their father’s just to realize that he has a new wife and a new baby. They see that the baby’s age does not line up with how long their mother and father have been separated and instantly feel rejected. Nick confides in them that he too grew up without a father and this brings them closer together.

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

Contributor: Leidy Kasper

Health and Human Sexuality, Parenting

Gilmore Girls

Title: Gilmore Girls

Date: 2003

Media type: Television

Format: Episode

TV Season-Episode: Season 3, Episode 14 “Swan Song”

Category: Parenting, Human Sexuality, Human Growth and Development

Keywords: parent-child relationships, adolescence, sexual relationship

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

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Lorelai goes away for the weekend with her new boyfriend and leaves her 16 year old daughter, Rory, at home alone. She worries about the possibility of Rory and her boyfriend Jess staying home alone. Lorelai had Rory when she was only 16 herself. Rory talks to her mother Lorelai about how she is thinking about having sex with her boyfriend, Jess.  It is clear that this has been an ongoing conversation. While Lorelai is seemingly concerned about this and uncomfortable using sex terminology, she emphasizes that she wants Rory to talk to her openly about it. This is an example of how the conversation of sex is quite challenging, regardless of how close a parent and child may be.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: How does this relate to your own family/cultural experience in having a talk about sex education? How do you think this family’s background shapes this short conversation? What do you think Lorelai and Rory’s reactions after speaking about Rory’s thoughts reflect? Imagine that you are a parent educator: What advice would you give Rory and Lorelai to improve this scenario?

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

Contributor: Jessica Shankman