The Movie I Would Like To Analyze Is Big Daddy

The Movie I would Like to Analyze is Big Daddy

The movie I would like to analyze is Big Daddy. Summarize the storyline and main characters: The film follows Sonny Koufax, a laid-back, somewhat irresponsible man who unexpectedly becomes a guardian to a young boy named Julian. Sonny's life takes a turn when Julian, a precocious five-year-old, enters his world after his mother leaves him to pursue her career. Throughout the movie, Sonny grapples with responsibilities he has never faced, such as parenting, while developing a bond with Julian, and navigating his own personal growth. The main characters include Sonny Koufax, Julian, and Julian's mother, which contribute to themes of unlikely guardianship and developmental challenges during early childhood.

Child-Rearing Styles and Their Relevance in Big Daddy

One of the central concepts depicted in Big Daddy is child-rearing styles, specifically permissive parenting. Psychologically, permissive parenting is characterized by high responsiveness but low demandingness, often leading to children with difficulty establishing boundaries and self-control (Baumrind, 1991). In the film, Sonny initially exemplifies permissive parenting, allowing Julian to make many decisions on his own, such as choosing his own name. This approach reflects a lenient attitude typical of permissive styles, which may result in behavioral issues. However, as the movie progresses, Sonny recognizes the limitations of permissiveness and adopts a more authoritative stance, establishing clearer boundaries and expectations. This shift indicates an understanding that balanced parenting fosters better social and emotional development in children (Baumrind, 1991). The film accurately portrays the effects of permissive parenting on early childhood behavior and highlights the importance of adaptive parenting strategies for healthy development.

Aggression as Portrayed in the Film

Another relevant concept is aggression, particularly how parental behaviors influence children's behavioral responses. Psychologists have identified various forms of aggression, including physical and verbal hostility, which can be learned through observation (Bandura, 1973). Sonny's outward displays of aggression — such as yelling and intimidating others — serve as tangible models for Julian, who initially perceives aggression as a humorous or acceptable behavior. This mimicry aligns with Bandura's social learning theory, where children imitate observed behaviors. Moreover, Sonny's aggressive tendencies appear to stem from his own upbringing and personality traits, illustrating the reciprocal influence between parental behavior and child development (Patterson, 1982). The film effectively captures how aggressive behaviors can be modeled and reinforced, emphasizing the need for positive role models. It also demonstrates that children may interpret aggressive actions as humorous or acceptable if not properly guided, underlining the importance of parental regulation and emotional regulation training.

Resilience in Early Childhood Development Reflected in Big Daddy

The third concept central to the film is resilience—the capacity of children to adapt positively in the face of adversity. Julian's resilience is apparent despite early life instability, such as abandonment and exposure to neglect or illness. Now orphaned due to his mother's death from cancer, Julian demonstrates emotional strength and adaptability, thriving with minimal negative impact. Psychologist Emmy Werner (1995) describes resilience as a dynamic process where protective factors, such as a supportive caregiver and positive self-perceptions, buffer against risks. Julian's resilience is evident through his ability to adapt to Sonny's unconventional caregiving style, use of sunglasses to calm his anxiety, and the overall sense of happiness he maintains. Sonny’s accidental development of resilience in Julian exemplifies how supportive relationships and stability can foster resilience even in adverse circumstances (Masten, 2001). Furthermore, the film captures the importance of emotional support, such as Sonny giving Julian sunglasses to manage fear and anxiety, which promote resilience by providing children with coping mechanisms during stressful situations.

Analysis of Developmental Aspects and Theoretical Accuracy

Overall, Big Daddy offers a compelling depiction of early childhood development—particularly in terms of parenting styles, aggression, and resilience. The film accurately reflects the consequences of permissive versus authoritative parenting, demonstrating how shifting parenting approaches can influence children's behavior and emotional regulation. Regarding aggression, the film effectively models how behavior can be learned through observation, resonating with Bandura's social learning theory. The portrayal of resilience aligns with empirical research indicating that children can adapt positively despite early adversity, especially with supportive caregiving (Luthar et al., 2000). However, the film simplifies some aspects of development, such as the complexity of resilience or the long-term impacts of early neglect. It also neglects the potential influence of genetic and environmental factors outside the immediate family context. Additionally, Sonny’s development reflects a positive transformation, yet it could have addressed more explicitly how individual differences influence parenting and responses in such scenarios.

Reflections and Proposed Enhancements

If I were to suggest changes or additions to the film, I would highlight the importance of professional intervention in cases of neglect or neglectful parenting. Including scenes where Sonny receives guidance from child development experts could deepen the understanding of effective parenting strategies. Furthermore, the portrayal of Julian’s resilience could benefit from more nuanced exploration of the risks associated with early adversity, emphasizing that resilience varies among individuals and is not guaranteed. Finally, the film could more explicitly address the role of attachment theory, demonstrating how a secure attachment with a caregiver fosters resilience and emotional security. Incorporating such aspects would enhance the film’s educational value and reflect the multifaceted nature of child development in real-world contexts.

Remaining Questions about Developmental Concepts

While the film effectively demonstrates several aspects of developmental psychology, questions remain about the long-term effects of permissive parenting and exposure to aggression during early childhood. How do these early experiences influence adolescent or adult behaviors? Additionally, the complexity of resilience raises questions about the interplay between individual personality traits and external support systems. Addressing these questions could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of childhood development trajectories and the importance of early interventions.

References

• Bandura, A. (1973). Aggression: A social learning analysis. Prentice-Hall.
• Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56–95.
• Luthar, S. S., Cicchetti, D., & Becker, B. (2000). The construct of resilience: A critical evaluation and guidelines for future work. Child Development, 71(3), 543–562.
• Masten, A. S. (2001). Children who succeed: What helps them thrive. National Center for Child Traumatic Stress.
• Patterson, G. R. (1982). Coercive family process. Castalia Publishing Company.
• Werner, E. E. (1995). Resilience in development. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 4(3), 81-85.
• Shlafer, R. J., & Poehlmann, J. (2010). Attachment among children adopted after early neglect. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 51(8), 1019-1026.
• Cook, R. L., & Riley, D. (2005). Parenting styles and children's social competence. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 14(1), 7–25.
• Johnson, D. J., & Greenberg, M. T. (1994). A measure of child resilience. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 19(4), 503-519.
• Smith, K. E., & Hays, D. (2019). The influence of early childhood adversity on resilience: A review. Developmental Psychopathology, 31(2), 457-470.