Parenthood Styles in Parenthood: The

Parenthood Styles in Parenthood: The Movie In the movie Parenthood, the parenting styles of several different families are shown in comic comparison, looking at the way parents deal with their children in so many different ways. Parenthood was written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel and directed by Ron Howard. This film shows us that parenting is not a one-way street and that the manner in which we raise our children needs to remain flexible from moment to moment, especially as our children grow into adults with their own personalities.

The successes and failings of each family in the movie, as well as their frailties and strengths are dealt with in a humorous and touching way. The main family in the story consists of Gil (Steve Martin) and Karen (Mary Steenburgen) who have three children.

They appear to be a typical Midwestern family, but when their oldest son, Kevin starts having emotional problems that effect his school work and home life, Gil tries to overcome these issues by being a "super parent" and becoming involved in every aspect of Kevin's life. Gil carries the scars of a dysfunctional relationship with his own remote father and he is determined to make every effort to make his own son "normal" and accepted.

In his desire to help Kevin, Gil is the coach of the Little League, provides entertainment at Kevin's birthday party and generally stews and worries over every move or comment Kevin makes, analyzing what is the proper course. It is interesting that the dysfunctional behaviors Kevin displays are much like the ones that Gil has himself. The other end of the super parenting tack is that of Gil's sister and brother in law, Nathan and Susan.

Neurotically concerned about his child's intellectual future, Nathan has their daughter in every activity from karate to early math and reading. His daughter and her accomplishments have become the center of his universe, to the detriment of his relationship with his wife. it's difficult to tell if Nathan sees his daughter as a person, or an object to be shown off and compared to others' children. Gil's sister Helen is the single parent of a 16-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son.

Her husband has left her for another woman and she has her hands full as her daughter has eloped and her son never speaks. Helen goes on with the family acting as though nothing has happened, while her anger over her husband's departure is a wall that has gone up between her and her children - it is literally the elephant in the room. Ultimately, all the stories in this movie have.