Using Movies to Discuss Difficult Family Topics
Touro University Worldwide Takes a Look at This Year’s
Oscar Nominees
With the Oscars just around
the corner, Americans are rushing to see the films that critics have been
raving about for months. Some of our families in the Touro University Worldwide (TUW) Marriage & Family
Therapy Department reviewed a few of
this year's Oscar Nominees and the family lessons that can be learned from
their plots. If you and your family watch movies, choosing to include movies
like these that deal with challenging subjects can be a good way to discuss
these tough topics.
1)
Dealing with
Parenting – “Brave” is the favorite
for winning best animated film, but it is also a favorite for understanding the
conflicts that arise between parents and children. The strong-willed Merida
defies her mother as she hopes to change the future her parents have planned
for her. Ultimately, both mother and daughter learn that parenting is about
compromise, which is a lesson that both children and adults can take to heart.
2)
Dealing with
Mental Illness – Mental illness is
often a taboo subject; families do not discuss it and prefer avoidance over
acceptance. Movies such as “Silver Linings Playbook” have brought the realities
of depression and mental illness into the spotlight. Families need to be open
about mental illness with their children so that they can understand that it is
an illness and it is ok to ask for help. Movies are good starting points for
talking about difficult topics, and “Silver Linings Playbook” fits the bill.
3)
Learning about
Societal Struggles – “Les Misérables”
was revolutionary when Victor Hugo first published the acclaimed novel in 1862,
and many of the struggles and lessons learned by its characters are still
relevant today. Talking to your children about poverty and racism can be
difficult topics to introduce, and sometimes looking at how far the world has
come is a good starting point. Using historical movies like “Les Misérables”
can teach your children lessons such as the importance of service to society,
intellectual pursuit, and the giving back to the underserved, all principals
that TUW is built upon.
4)
Learning about
Loss – “Amour” is the favorite for
winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, but the topics the film
focuses on such as elderly relations and loss are not foreign. Talking about
loss is a difficult subject to broach at any age, which is why it is important
to watch movies that showcase the pain of loss and show family members how
individuals deal with this agony.
The
Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Touro University Worldwide presents
an extraordinary opportunity for interested individuals to become actively
involved in an expanding and promising area of study. The need for Marriage and
Family Therapists is growing as an integral and important part of our nation’s
health and mental health care delivery system. So watch the movies, learn the
lessons, and then become part of the TUW community that teaches these lessons
every day.
Interested students should visit http://www.tuw.edu/ or call 888-586-5193 to learn how they can apply today.
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About
Touro University Worldwide:
Touro University Worldwide is a non-profit organization
established by philanthropic visionaries who are committed to developing a
passionate, connected learning community that can help students achieve their
individual academic goals. Students at Touro University Worldwide are committed
to social justice, intellectual pursuit, and professional development. This
philosophy is derived from the Judaic foundation on which the University was
originally founded and a value system that welcomes all cultures and backgrounds.
About the
Touro College and University System
Touro is a
system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro
College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to
serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 19,000 students
are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has
branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as
well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris and
Florida. Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as
Touro University Worldwide and New York Medical College are separately
accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For
further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/media/.
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