Parenthood: A Character Study
By Sharon Clark
25 FEB 2013
Counseling 5050
While watching the movie “Parenthood” I took an interest in
two characters. Kevin the 9 year old son of Gil, one of the main
Characters and Helen Gil’s sister. Kevin is the oldest so of Gil
and Karen. He seems to be emotionally disturbed, inquisitive,
afraid of bigger kids and afraid to fight. He cries a lot and he
needs dad time but is unable to get that. Kevin is easily
distracted in school and constantly in need of attention from
his dad who is never around because of his job. Kevin’ s
behavior from the beginning is odd. He is whinny and unlike
many of his friends or peers, is not accepted by them. Kevin is
not managing his development tasks very well. First, he is not
able to establish friendships and is the outcast in the group. He
seems to be slower than the kids his age and he is not matured
enough that he can be more aggressive with this. Kevin has the
need for peer approval. A prime example for this is
demonstrated at his birthday party after he was told cowboy
Dan would not come. Once his dad stepped to fill the gap and
make his friends happy and his birthday party special Kevin
has a different outlook on his relationship with his dad and his
need for acceptance by his friends and his dad are at that
moment fulfilled.
Helen is the second character. She is the sister of Gil and the
single parent of Julie and Gary. Helen is still struggling with the
fact that her ex-husband wants nothing to do with his children
but has a new family and he also refuses to help raise them.
She is dealing with a teenage girl, Julie, who instead of
worrying about SATs, is...