This paper focuses on the family and issues related to the role of family as far as the society is concerned. Man is a social animal. This means that the life of each and every family member is directly or indirectly dependent on the other members. This is mainly so because of the perpetual interactions in such social groupings (Scot, P. 2004). Therefore, in order to shed more light on this topic, I would like to use the 2008 Mexican launched In the Name of Love.
In the name of love is as cited, a Mexican original film that was launched on 13th/10/2008. It was created and produced by Carlos Laguillo Moreno originally in Spanish. Its setting was based in Mexico and Del mon Teros. Besides, this film that runs for 45 minutes features at least 15v protagonists in its 171 episodes (Graham, B. 2010).
As already mentioned, this film features various kinds of family relations and how they affect the prosperity of the family. It shows about the kinds of love affairs that exist in the family. In addition, In The Name of Love sheds more light on the roles played by the children and parents towards each other.
The play begins at the failed wedding between Christabel and Natalia as a result of nostalgic regressive behaviors of Natalia due to the death of Natalia’s love, Macarena. There after, Paloma losses both her parents in a fatal road accident (Graham,B. 2010). This makes her be fostered by her brutal aunt, Carlota. Even if she is left under the care of a loving, nani, Rufina (Rufi), Carlota subjected her to a lot of injustices. For instance, at one time, she is denied her right to play with her toy as done by other children. At the same time, she is kept in the dark on who exactly her parents are.
When she grows up, she goes to school, makes new friends like Romina who unfortunately becomes her greatest foe, especially after a love tussle. More importantly, Paloma falls in the hands of sweet guys like Emiliano under whom she perseveres to engage in love affairs. As obviously expected, most of these affairs were rejected by the defiant Carlota. She eventually goes to a good school and becomes aware of her real parents just before being prepared for her inheritance and eventual wedding with Emiliano.
On the other hand, Emiliano, a man born in a troubled family of Diana and Rafael, finds it difficult to live with the disunited parents (Graham, B. 2010). A part from being confused on achieving his future dreams, he offers to divorce and betray his loving wife, Romina for her friend, Paloma.
Just after arriving from Mexico where he was pursuing bachelors, he finds himself intertwined in the tussle ensuing between his opposing parents. As the play unfolds, peace is eventually attained especially when the family of Father Juan Christabal is united and Carlota subjected to the due process of the law.
I would like to discuss about the Orlando’s family. It is actually a legitimate traditional family that consists of Orlando as the father and the head of the family; his wife Diana; their son, Emiliano; Romina, Emiliano’s wife and their grand son (whose identity is not revealed in the play). All of them at least play a very important role in this even if Romina is still staying in her mother’s house trying to nurture her soon breaking marriage with the undecided Emiliano.
In this family, it’s the role of the parents to educate the children and make for them important decisions. For instance, even after completing his bachelors’ degree, Emiliano still depends on his parents so heavily. It’s actually considered their parental duty to either compel their son to marry or go further his studies, a development that Emiliano does not object to.
This family is so patriarchal: most of the powers and responsibilities are bestowed on the male counterparts (Graham, B. 2010). They, I think, even have a right to misbehave. Precisely, the two men jeopardize their marriages. Emiliano ditches Romina for the more ‘cute’ Paloma. Similarly, his father, Orlando betrays his wife by engaging in extra marital affairs with Camila. This clearly shows that the male family members have an absolute power over their wives. The woman appears to be downtrodden by the males in this society.
Being part of the larger society, Rafael’s family has a set of beliefs both vital and detrimental in the prosperity of the family. To begin with, they believe in the role of education in the society. This is why they take their son Emiliano to Mexico City for further studies. Besides, this family believes in hard work. Even if the couple differs on the next path to be taken by their son, they are both concerned about the economic empowerment and success of their son. Consequently, Orlando believes in democracy.
Because of this, he advocates for his son being allowed to make his personal choices independently. Surely, this, if practiced, will not only bring harmony, but also development in this family. However, the rampant belief in extra marital affairs is so detrimental- both the couples in this family seem to be promiscuous. Olarndo, Emiliano and Romina are unfaithful in their marriages. They openly engage in this vice. In fact, in this family, they don’t acknowledge the role of the females. To some extent, I think, they are viewed as a mere tool for procreation. In this regard, Emliliano only claims to love his estranged wife, Romina just for the sake of his handsome son.
The Orlando family is not so superstitious and do not up hold the spirit of rituals. They believe in the role of dialogue to discuss various issues especially during crisis. When Romina gives birth to a baby boy that needed to be retained in the incubator, everybody made a ritual appearance to the hospital to give her a ritual homage that she deserved at the time. This actually gave her strength and courage to overcome that challenge.
As already mentioned, the major role of the family is to prepare the younger generations to comfortably fit in the larger society. It‘s therefore, the role of the family to introduce to their children the changing cultural beliefs of the society.
As we all understand, no society is static; our values, cultures, ethics and codes of conduct keep getting better and better each and every day. Hence, there is need to act as the elements of change in the society. However, in this context, I think Emiliano acts as a source of transformation in this family. He breaks the tradition and openly defies his parents’ directives. He maries a lady of his choice pursues a more advanced education and makes important decisions unlike other youths in the play. Even if Carlota is against their affair, he goes ahead to marry Paloma.
However, as already indicated, this family has a blend of successful and chaotic relationships. This makes some family members, especially the ones who feel betrayed to be so unhappy. In deed, this traumatizes them psychologically. For instance, Diana is so infuriated at Orlando’s unfaithfulness. In fact, she at one time openly rebukes Camila for breaking her mariege. I therefore think that people like Emiliano and Romina perceive adultery as a norm. To them, it appears like a legacy innately inherited from the parents.
On the other hand, there seems to be a communication breakdown in this family. Emiliano is not ready to sit down round a table to square his problems with Romina. He usually escapes when needed by her estranged wife. Instead, he avoids her more often clinging on irrelevant scape goats. Meanwhile, there is a poor communication between Orlando and Diana. Because they can’t solve their problems amicably, they often quarrel sometimes exchanging bitter words. May be this is the habit adopted by the Romina and Paloma; and Emiliano and Gabriello and Emiliano and his parents.
This is a bad show. It must be avoided at all costs because it’s more costly. For this family to cement its relationship, they must tolerate and understand one another. At the same time, they should embrace dialogue and accept to be ready to apologize in case of disagreements. This will definitely make them to live together so cohesively.
Individuals must come together to resolve their disagreements through dialogue; mediation; diplomacy; arbitration; avoidance and coercion. However, these strategies should be applied so cautiously depending on the situation at hand. All the family members must enlightened on the fact that peace is a means to an ultimate goal.
Finally, I would like to concur with the fact that stress management should be a primary requirement for a peaceful, happy and contented life. Therefore, even if one is depressed to what extent, one should learn to identify; avoid; alter; adapt to and accept the stressor. This means that for one to overcome such traumatic situations, one should avoid unnecessary stress; be more assertive; adjust one’s stands; accept to maintain the status qou for the things they can’t change and learn to be more positive and accept to move on. However, one should understand that stress should not be projected to a third party. To the psychiatrists, this is the beginning of a failed life.
References
Graham, B. (2010)In the Name of Love in Top 20 Highest Grossing Movies W
Scot, F. (2005) A History of Natural Families. Princetone University: Princetone
University Press.
The Orlando family genogram
Key
KEY
1. Harmony..Emiliano and Orlando
2. Distant. Emiliano and Orlando
3. Best friends..Diana and Romina
4. Distance -Hostile. Emiliano and Romina/ Romina and Paloma
KEY
1. Marriage. Orlando and Diana
2. Cohabitation..Romina and Ferdinando Valencia
3. Divorce. Emiliano and Romina
