"You need a license to buy a dog, to drive a car - hell, you even need a license to catch fish. But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father"
- Tod, Parenthood (2008)
This Ron Howard classic revolves around an extended family and their different parenting styles. In the household:
- Frank is the father of four, Gil, Helen, Susan and Larry. He is exceptionally close to Larry to compensate for his failure with his previous children, but struggles when Larry takes advantage of his kindness.
- Gil and Karen have three children, Kevin, Taylor and Justin. Kevin is undergoing therapy due to his slow learning, which worries Gil who tries hard to make up for his bad childhood by being a protective father.
- Helen is a single parent with two children, Garry and Julie. Helen tries to cope with single-parenthood as her children go through puberty.
- Susan and Nathan have one daughter, Patty. Susan struggles to intervene in Nathan's strict and unreceptive way of raising a family.
- Julie is married to Tod, and pregnant with his child. Helen was initially sceptical of Tod, but was won over when he became the much needed male figure in Garry's life.
- Larry is taking care of a child of his own, Cool. Cool's real parents are unknown.
According to Maccoby and Martin's research in parenting, there are four major styles. These styles are found within the film:
1) Uninvolved: Frank, Larry
The uninvolved parenting style is defined as undemanding and unresponsive. Parents in this category generally allow their children to do as they wish, even though it may be detrimental to either of them. Confrontation is little or non-existent. This is parenting style is practiced by Frank towards his first three children and hinted at throughout the film. Larry is also an uninvolved parent with Cool.
2) Permissive: Helen
Helen is a permissive parent because, while she doesn't directly interfere, she attempts to be involved with her children's lives. Initially, Garry and Julie look down on this loose form of authority, buy Helen's well-meaning and persistent behaviour eventually wins their confidence. A permissive parent responds to the children's behaviour but doesn't demand or place expectations on them.
3) Authoritative: Gil and Karen
The authoritative parent is the opposite of an uninvolved parent, actively being involved in the children's lives. Certain expectations are placed on the child, but their needs and problems are also attended to. Gil and Karen practices a strong authoritative style, which is Gil's way of compensating from his own childhood experience. Gil and Karen are motivated by the unhealthy worrying that their children may grow up somewhat lacking, an issue which is confronted in the film.
4) Authoritarian: Susan and Nathan
The well-meaning Nathan wants his daughter to utilise the absorbing capacity of Patty's young mind, completely neglecting Patty's opinion in the matter. This worries Susan, as high demands are place on her child without being responsive to her need to socialise.
- Frank is the father of four, Gil, Helen, Susan and Larry. He is exceptionally close to Larry to compensate for his failure with his previous children, but struggles when Larry takes advantage of his kindness.
- Gil and Karen have three children, Kevin, Taylor and Justin. Kevin is undergoing therapy due to his slow learning, which worries Gil who tries hard to make up for his bad childhood by being a protective father.
- Helen is a single parent with two children, Garry and Julie. Helen tries to cope with single-parenthood as her children go through puberty.
- Susan and Nathan have one daughter, Patty. Susan struggles to intervene in Nathan's strict and unreceptive way of raising a family.
- Julie is married to Tod, and pregnant with his child. Helen was initially sceptical of Tod, but was won over when he became the much needed male figure in Garry's life.
- Larry is taking care of a child of his own, Cool. Cool's real parents are unknown.
According to Maccoby and Martin's research in parenting, there are four major styles. These styles are found within the film:
1) Uninvolved: Frank, Larry
The uninvolved parenting style is defined as undemanding and unresponsive. Parents in this category generally allow their children to do as they wish, even though it may be detrimental to either of them. Confrontation is little or non-existent. This is parenting style is practiced by Frank towards his first three children and hinted at throughout the film. Larry is also an uninvolved parent with Cool.
2) Permissive: Helen
Helen is a permissive parent because, while she doesn't directly interfere, she attempts to be involved with her children's lives. Initially, Garry and Julie look down on this loose form of authority, buy Helen's well-meaning and persistent behaviour eventually wins their confidence. A permissive parent responds to the children's behaviour but doesn't demand or place expectations on them.
3) Authoritative: Gil and Karen
The authoritative parent is the opposite of an uninvolved parent, actively being involved in the children's lives. Certain expectations are placed on the child, but their needs and problems are also attended to. Gil and Karen practices a strong authoritative style, which is Gil's way of compensating from his own childhood experience. Gil and Karen are motivated by the unhealthy worrying that their children may grow up somewhat lacking, an issue which is confronted in the film.
4) Authoritarian: Susan and Nathan
The well-meaning Nathan wants his daughter to utilise the absorbing capacity of Patty's young mind, completely neglecting Patty's opinion in the matter. This worries Susan, as high demands are place on her child without being responsive to her need to socialise.
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