Tag Archives: social and cultural influences

Families in Society

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Title: My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Date: 2002

Media type: Film

Format: Complete

Category: Families in Society

Keywords: Marriage, conflict management, family demographics, parenting styles, social and cultural influences, types of parents

Rating: PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

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

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Toula, a young Greek woman is turning her life around by going back to college. Along the way, she meets and falls in love with a man named Gus. The only problem is, he’s not Greek. The movie follows the couple as they get married and struggle through cultural differences.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: How does culture affect how people parent? How do differences in religion create conflicts in families. Do you think that Toula and Gus handled the situation in the best way that they could as a couple?

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

Contributor: Krista Hamann

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

Hannah Montana: The Movie

Title: Hannah Montana: The Movie

Date: 2009

Media type: Film

Format: Complete

Category: Parenting

Keywords: adolescence, decision-making, family relationships, fathering, parent-child relationships, single parenting, social and cultural influences

Rating: G – General Audiences

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

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Hannah Montana is a pop star at the peak of her fame. Everyone wants to meet her and take photos of her.  However, Hannah is actually Miley Stewart with a blond wig.  Miley’s father thinks she needs to take a break from fame and get a reality check because the fame is going to her head.  He takes her back to her hometown, Crowley Corners, Tennessee.  Will Miley realize what is really important or will she go on being a pop star that is full of herself?

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: What decisions does Mileys father continuously make to keep his daughter’s best interests at heart?

Places to view:

Contributor: Krista Hamann