In my previous blog, I discussed why “Father of the Bride” (1950) is a good visual representation for neurodiverse individuals on going through a wedding.
For this blog, I am back to cover the sequel to “Bride” because it covers another life issue that can affect anyone…the arrival of a new addition in the form of a baby human. The film I am talking about is “Father’s Little Dividend” (1951).
…
Now, having a new addition in the family can be just as stressful as a wedding. The birth of a child is one of life’s greatest wonders, but it also can be a living nightmare. So much goes into the birth of a child from a mental health, financial standpoint to the fact whether the parent is qualified to raise the child.
Of course, there have been examples of neurodiverse individuals who have grown up to become parents and good ones at that. However, children can turn everything upside down for a neurodiverse individual because raising a child is like raising a plant: it takes dedication, effort and the ability to frequently change your routines.
…
Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) is once again a representation of what it is like to go through the process of a life changing event. The crux of the issue he goes through is the fact that he is going to be a grandfather, but not of his own doing.
The fact that his only daughter Kay Banks (Elizabeth Taylor) is going to be a young mother is part of the problem that is going through his mind. When a child is born, you don’t have to be a parent or grandparent to consider the fact that everything changes when a new addition comes into play.
As the story progresses, we see that Stanley clearly is like King Arthur from “Camelot” for example. He’s roughhewn as a grandfather on account that he was never eased into the position to begin with. Stanley is young (only 51 years old) and didn’t expect to become a grandfather at that age.
The trouble is that a lot of neurodiverse individuals are so determined to have a relationship and start a family that we don’t stop to think about the fact that we are trying too hard to get to where we want and not think of the consequences.
Not to say that Elizabeth Taylor’s character is neurodiverse (she clearly isn’t), but both her and Don Taylor’s character are a living example of what happens when a child isn’t planned correctly at least from the perspective of Spencer Tracy’s character.
Just because you say you are ready to have a child does not mean that you are really ready to have one. Planning a family takes time and effort in terms that you have to give up a specific lifestyle or vice in order to accommodate the arrival.
Sadly, there are a lot of families out there that are broken simply because the parents were never ready to have children to begin with and yet, they were too impatient. Spencer Tracy has that fear displayed throughout the film and it makes connecting with his new grandson that much more difficult.
In a way, we also see that he is very hesitant to be near his grandson and whenever he gets close to him, the child shows his displeasure. Spencer Tracy’s character has that sense that he is not willing to bend his back for his own grandson on account that he is uncomfortable around children.
I can sympathize with him that I am very uncomfortable around little kids as well. But I know that they are human and are no different than anyone else. Being an uncle also gives me the luxury of seeing my nieces when I need to in the same manner as grandparents. Sure, that eventually we accept children for who they are, but it takes time.
…
You see, “Father’s Little Dividend” not only picks up where “Father of the Bride” left off, but also is a continuation of a snowball effect that began when a marriage proposal goes through. Sometimes the snowball can roll in our favor and other times, it cannot.
When we are neurodiverse or part of a neurodiverse family, we don’t have that understanding that the snowball rolls where it rolls and nothing more. But when the time comes for a new addition, what “Father’s Little Dividend” teaches us is to just accept the snowball for what it is.
Who knows? Maybe the child will be named after you as is revealed in the film’s ending. You just never know sometimes unless you give a new addition a chance.
…
Catch you all later!!
コメント