Star Wars has been a favorite science fiction saga of mine since I was a little kid. I have very much enjoyed the lasers, jedi, spaceships, and the intense action scenes found throughout the tale. But I have recently realized that Star Wars is filled with sociological metaphors and beliefs. This includes the institution of the family. Family is very important in the story, and nontraditional families seem to appear quite often. However, it seems as though George Lucas has a negative viewpoint of these types of families, and feels that they result in a dysfunctional family. Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa are raised by somewhat traditional families. Neither are raised by biological parents, but they have the traditional “father” and “mother” figure in their lives; Luke has his Uncle and Aunt on the planet of Tatooine, and Leia has her adopted parents on the planet of Alderan. When they mature, they grow into adults who not only posses good morals, but actually become leaders of a rebellion for the greater good. They work to correct the apparent flaws of the social institutions of the Empire, and viewers are led to believe that they are successful.
Now on the other hand, children of nontraditional families in the story turn into the villains. Boba Fett is raised as a son (despite the fact that he is actually a clone) by Jango Fett. Jango is a single father. He appears to be a good father to Boba, and it appears as though Jango loves the boy. However, they are constantly on the move because Jango is a bounty hunter. Thus, Boba also grows up to be a bounty hunter who cares for nothing except money. Another example of a nontraditional family would be that of the Skywalkers. Anakin’s mother raises her children by herself, and struggles in doing so. She actually sells herself and her family into slavery because she cannot afford to care for her family. And thus, Anakin suffers from inner agony throughout the tale. He finally snaps in Revenge of the Sith, and slaughters the people he once called friends. By doing this, Skywalker reshapes the government of the republic, and disrupts the entire structure of their society. Perhaps George Lucas is hinting that these single-parent families are not appropriate for child-rearing, and the child will only suffer in such an environment. And through this suffering, the children will mature into dysfunctional adults, and disrupt social institutions. Perhaps Lucas is implying that children raised in a single-parent home will suffer the same fate as Anakin Skywalker, and they will turn to the Dark Side of the force.
Discussion questions:
1. How is Lucas’s portrayal of nontraditional families similar/different to our contemporary society?
2. What are some of the effects of single-parent families on children? Does this environment lead to dysfunctional families?
3. Are nontraditional families beneficial to our society as a whole, or do they cause social institutions to crumble? Explain.
2. The most important effect that single-parent families have on children is the lack of quality time. This quality time is when the parent can endure in the correct socialization of the child. I have learned from experience. My mom worked one sometimes two jobs, so my primary group was now my older brother and his friends. It was like joining a gang, I would do anything for their respect. Swear, make fun of other children, and ring doorbells then run away was all in the process of trying to fit in. There was no guidance at home to sort out the much needed morals or to build character. I was simply immature. Then I reached an age when I was inspired by my mother and all the work she put forth to provide for our family. So, in my case I don't believe a single parent environment can lead to a dysfunctional family, although I do believe it can lead to dysfunction between an individual and society.
ReplyDelete3. Social institutions are the reason for the creation of nontraditional families. The economy plays a major role, two or single parent households have to work one or two jobs in order to provide for the family. Also, the lack of education children are now receiving is just going to keep the nontraditional families in existence. Both of these institutions leads to the lost formula of values and morals. However, that does not mean nontraditional families are stigmas, they are just adjusting to what society has given them.
2. I think that there is a lot of pressure put on the child of a non-traditional family by society. Whether that be how family is portrayed in movies or friends and their families. I think that there is this longing for simplicity and a desire to have two parents...even if for nothing more than that is what is percieved to be normal.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that this type of family has to lead to dysfunctionality, however, I think that it certainly can play a part in creating insecurities among a child that would help lead to deviance.
Maybe George just needed a few more hugs from his dad. Do we know if he came from a non-traditional family?