L&S: Definition of 'Family?!'
Jim
of a Reuters article today
(http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20020620/film_nm/film_lilo_dc_3
-- again predicting the film's success) just assumes the reader
would agree that "a family is what you make it." But I, and I suppose
many others, do not agree with that definition.
I understand that the word can mean "a group of like things"
(see definition at http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=family ), but get
real...
I have seen this showing up recently in many Disney films (like
the new Pooh videos), and it bothers me. And I was particularly looking
forward to a film set in Polynesia, for personal reasons. Yet now I
learn the film has a seriously fragmented family (dead parents), with
MIB-type social workers showing up to split the two children up. This
is a slice of life I would avoid in the news, much less a Disney film.
Yes, I understand the use of ohana as a kinder, gentler, Hawaiian
version of Orwellian 'newspeak' and the need for a villain, but this is
such a grim scenario... It is depressing.
I have a wonderful family - parents, children -- and equating
friends, pets, aliens with that same bond is absurd. And I think that
most people would agree: there are friends, there is family, but the
immediate, blood-relative distinction is relevant.
Why confuse children with this diluted definition? I thought
everyone is taught in film school that if viewers don't agree with the
theme, or worse, think it to be untrue, they they will dislike the
movie. No matter how good it is otherwise.
I think people at Disney must have some sort of political agenda
in this... You can really, really, really like/love/care for someone or
something, but unless you are are related, or are legally and lawfully
married, they are *not your family.*
My $0.02 worth,
jim
kimba
Hey Jim...
blood alone doesn't make someone your family when they don't treat you
like family.
You can choose your own family, if you want. You have control over who
you allow to be your family.
Just because someone is "blood" doesn't mean anything - especially if
they mistreat you.
And this idea alone- goes a long way to offer hope to children of toxic
families.
I am!
Kimba
kimba
Randal Sheppard
news:3D133322...@nowhere.com:
> I have a wonderful family - parents, children -- and equating
> friends, pets, aliens with that same bond is absurd. And I think that
> most people would agree: there are friends, there is family, but the
> immediate, blood-relative distinction is relevant.
>
Well, gee, think of all those poor kids whose parents have died and have no
siblings for whatever reason. It's a shame that they're not allowed to have
a family because they're not as lucky as you.
I once received a card that stated 'Friends are the family we choose for
ourselves' and I personally believe that the idea that our strongest bonds
must be with those we either have a blood or legal attachment to is a far
too literal approach.
All the best,
Randal Sheppard
Curt
> Since when did "family" become just anyone we want?
[snip]
> I have a wonderful family - parents, children -- and equating
> friends, pets, aliens with that same bond is absurd.
I disagree. There are many who fall into the fragmented area
which you so easily - it seems - disregard.
> And I think that most people would agree: there are friends, there is family, but the
> immediate, blood-relative distinction is relevant.
>
> Why confuse children with this diluted definition?
[snip]
>
> My $0.02 worth,
> jim
My $0.02 would include a "Bravo!" to the folks at Disney responsible
for such a positive and family-friendly message.
Curt
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