Film Analysis in Relation to the Family Life Cycle Model

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Film Analysis in Relation to the Family Life Cycle Model According to Walsh (2012), family distress and dysfunction may be described by what is known as The Family Life Cycle (pp. 379). Walsh suggests that according to the family life cycle perspective, family dysfunction and conflict, such as, that in the Grape family, may be influenced by familial perceptions that the family is ‘stuck’ in time and in the immediate circumstances. To more normalize an individual’s or a family’s presenting issues, a counselor may help a client to conceptualize their circumstances and stressors in a model similar to the link below: This Family Life Cycle Model may be applied as a systematic structure and assessment to any family or individual. Here, Gilbert would be in the center of the innermost layer and would be influenced by both horizontal and vertical stressors. According to Bardill (1997), horizontal stressors are described as crises associated with developmental events surrounding the individual or family; comparatively, vertical stressors are associated with attitudes and unanticipated reactions to developmental stages and events. The core caretaker role that Gilbert fulfills daily is a horizontal stress and conflicts with other life events in which Gilbert engages. For example, Gilbert meets Becky, a young woman in her early twenties who travels with her grandmother and is currently in Endora (Gilbert’s current town) (Hallstrom, 1997). Gilbert is very fond of Becky, however, during many of the times that Becky is in Gilbert’s company, Gilbert loses some of his extensive focus on Arnie and Arnie runs away or again to the town’s water tower. Thus, the horizontal stressors associated with being a primary caretaker influence Gilbert’s relationship with Becky in a certain manner. When Arnie runs away, vertical stressors follow when the Grape sisters and mother blame

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