This video has been making it’s rounds, over half a million views in the last six months. Honestly, I saw it yesterday for the first time. I loved it. I laughed multiple times and showed it to Sara. Titus watched it twice.
As much as I liked it, I kind of had a problem with it to. This video, along with many others like it continue to prop up an unrealistic view of the family. Sure, it looks like my family, but research says that only 25% of families in America are defined as kids living with both their biological parents.
Yes, the family pictured in this video might be God’s ideal for families, but 75% of current families in the US will never look like this. If the church continues to point to this image, both in humor and all seriousness, we risk isolating non-traditional families from experiencing the fullness of what God has for them. I’m not speaking out against videos like this. Again, I loved it. However, where are the both serious and humorous videos that inspire families in a less than ideal situation.
After watching this video, I made a connection I never had before. I remember having issues with most Disney movies. I remember being very frustrated because almost every family central to a Disney movie was a single parent situation. It’s a pretty major theme. I remember thinking, “Come on Disney, would it kill you to support the traditional family?” However, today I wondered something I’ve never thought of before.
What if Disney was just more in tune to their audience than we are? If they know that 75% of their audience comes from blended/single parent homes, then it would only makes sense that most of their films would feature characters from that exact same situation. Just a thought… and certainly just my opinions on the matter.
You should listen to Andy Stanley’s Future Families message from this summer. He talks about the ideal vs. reality of our families; and why Paul would always point us to the ideal.
It’s really good.
Good thoughts, Kenny. When I watched this, I was really surprised how much traditional gender roles were pushed. I, personally, don’t really have any problem with that, but I know that as a society we are not only moving away from those roles but there seems to be a general distaste for them.
Similar to you, I thought this was funny because it did a pretty good job representing the family I grew up in as well as my current family. Interesting thoughts about Disney. I’d never thought of it that way. If that is the case, the irony is that the most recent princess in the Disney pantheon actually does have a present mother and father even though they didn’t raise her (Rapunzel).
@jonathancliff:disqus You’ve peaked my interest. I’ll be checking that series out.
I’ll have to get my hands on that series Jonathan. I agree that we should point to the ideal… but I just think we have to celebrate those who are taking steps toward the ideal even though the ideal is no longer a possibility for them. I’m intrigued though.
Jared… I can always depend on your for a good comment. 🙂 When talking to my wife about this yesterday, she brought up Rapunzel as well.
Most Disney movies show no parents in the picture. Why not have a traditional family in the parent rap? You may post your own untraditional family rap on the net. I grew up in a single parent home. I have no desire to see that portrayed. You just have to have been through it to understand. Great rap. Please do not ruin it.