Family Structures in the
Movie
Movie
What type of family structure do Chris and his son belong to?
Single-parent family
Why does Chris struggle financially in the movie?
He invests in bone density scanners, but he can’t sell them.
What motivates Chris to keep pushing through his struggles?
His son
What major challenge do Chris and his son face that impacts their daily life?
Homelessness
What technology does Chris rely on for his job in sales?
Telephone
In the movie, Chris and his son rely on each other emotionally. Which family function does this represent?
Affective nurturance
What family function is affected when Chris and his son become homeless?
Physical maintenance and care
When Chris teaches his son not to give up on his dreams, which family function is he demonstrating?
Socialization of children
How does Chris's experience show the struggle of balancing work and family life?
He works long hours while raising his son alone, often having little time for both.
How does technology help modern families stay connected despite busy schedules?
Texting, social media, and video calls
How does Chris’s role as a caregiver challenge traditional gender roles?
Fathers were traditionally seen as financial providers, but Chris takes on both caregiving and financial roles.
Chris takes an unpaid internship to secure a better future. How does this reflect changes in family roles over time?
More families now rely on long-term career sacrifices to improve financial stability later.
Chris and his son experience homelessness but stay together. What does this show about family resilience?
Strong family bonds help people overcome challenges.
The movie takes place in the 1980s. How were families changing during this time?
More single-parent families, more women working, and changing gender roles.
The Industrial Revolution separated work and home life. How does modern technology change this again?
Technology allows more people to work from home, blending work and family life.
Before Christopher's mother left and it was all 3 of them, what family structure was that?
Nuclear Family
During the Industrial Revolution, men were expected to be the breadwinners while women stayed home. How does Chris’s situation challenge this historical norm?
It shows that modern families don’t always follow strict gender roles in parenting and work.
Many families today rely on emotional support rather than traditional financial security. What is a key reason for this shift?
Higher divorce rates, economic struggles, and changing gender roles have made emotional support more important.
What social issue does the movie highlight regarding job opportunities for low-income families?
Income inequality
Chris relies on quick thinking and knowledge to stand out in his finance job. How does technology impact job opportunities today?
Access to online learning and job searches helps more people enter new careers.
How do Chris and his son’s experiences reflect the shift from traditional to modern family
Chris's situation shows the rise of single-parent families, increased financial struggles, and the shift from traditional gender roles in parenting.
In modern society, many families struggle with balancing work and family life. What term describes jobs that allow parents more flexibility to manage family responsibilities?
Flexible work arrangements
Studies show that children in strong, supportive families are more likely to succeed. What term describes the ability to recover from difficulties?
Resilience
In modern society, what is one government policy that helps struggling families meet their basic needs?
Social assistance programs (e.g., welfare, food stamps, housing support)
What is one downside of technology on family life today?
Less face-to-face communication