Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Dysfunction's Role in a Rite of Passage
In class yesterday we noted that many of the Coming of Age stories we have read and watched are centered around familial conflict and dysfunction. Is this necessary for a coming of age? What does a coming of age look like when there is no dysfunction in the family? What other factors contribute to a coming of age?
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I don't feel like dysfunction , at least in a family, is necessary for a coming of age. However, familial conflict is a fantastic medium for personal growth, so the stories we have read and watched do take advantage of it. The world that a person is growing in does require dysfunction, as there would be no conflict to grow into otherwise. The familial concentration that we have seen only seems to be plot devices.
ReplyDeleteI also do not believe that dysfunction is necessary for a coming of age moment. Although to face a coming of age moment there must be some sort of diversity, whether its making a difficult decision or overcoming a challenging moment.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of your family situation coming of age moments do happen. Everyone grows up in some way whether it is something noticeable or something discreet. There is always some outside force that causes a coming of age moment.
ReplyDeleteYou would have to be a very sheltered child to grow up not being aware of the fact that their is conflict in the world. Of course, I feel that the longer you preserve your innocence, the greater the impact is when you do eventually come face to face with reality. If someone grew up completely unaware and dependent, surely the death of their parents or caretakers would have an effect.
ReplyDeleteI like Taylor's definition of coming of age: that it's simply a realization that the world isn't perfect. For someone with a dysfunctional family, i think the realization of the world's imperfections is closely related to one's intimate family, whereas if your family is not dysfunctional this realization comes when you encounter the world outside of your family.
ReplyDeleteOf course, even without familial dysfunction, the whole world is dysfunctional. Like I said, it's hard to imagine someone not becoming aware of the fact that there is conflict in the world. Even if you don't have familial dysfunction, you see it through your peers and friends. You could die a virgin and the stigma that society has associated with such a term could effect you. Even if you grow up very sheltered, it is indirectly effecting you wherever you go. It's practically inescapable.
ReplyDeleteI don't think dysfunction is necessary for coming of age. In fact, I think coming of age moments that aren't from dysfunction are better because it isn't necessarily forced. In Stand By Me, Gordy, Chris, and Teddy were forced to grow up because of their dysfunctional family. My family wasn't really dysfunctional and I enjoyed the fact that my coming of age moments came because I chose too, like when I got my first job.
ReplyDeleteI don't think dysfunction is necessary for coming of age. In fact, I think coming of age moments that aren't from dysfunction are better because it isn't necessarily forced. In Stand By Me, Gordy, Chris, and Teddy were forced to grow up because of their dysfunctional family. My family wasn't really dysfunctional and I enjoyed the fact that my coming of age moments came because I chose too, like when I got my first job.
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