ASSG1

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San Francisco State University *

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MISC

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Nursing

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Nov 24, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by PresidentLightningAardvark11

1 Human Relations Student’s Name Affiliation Course Tutor Date

2 Lady Bird, 2017, by Director Greta Gerwig Greta Gerwig's highly praised coming-of-age film "Lady Bird" tells the story of Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, played by Saoirse Ronan, during her difficult senior year in Sacramento, California, in the early 2000s. As Lady Bird grows as a person, the story goes into her complicated relationships with her family, her friends, and herself. The main goal of this project is to do a thorough study of family systems using the information in the film as a guide. Using the ideas of family systems theory, we want to figure out how Lady Bird's family works, look for hidden pressures, and learn more about how family members interact with each other. Through this evaluation, we want to find out what the family's problems are, what their skills are, and where we might be able to help (Gerwig, 2017). Background Information Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, the main character in the 2017 movie "Lady Bird," is a normal high school student in Sacramento, California, between the ages of 17 and 18. As a student in high school, she has to deal with growing up and making the change to college. Lady Bird comes from a working-class family, which is a very important part of her life. This socioeconomic factor contributes to her desire to flee Sacramento and pursue a more affluent existence on the East Coast: her family's financial difficulties (Gerwig, 2017). In terms of employment, Lady Bird's status as a high school student implies that she is not engaged in full-time work. However, she does hold a part-time job at a local café, which showcases her determination and independence in striving for a better future. There being no military history or legal problems featured in the film, there were significant life events, such as her strained relationship with her mother and the challenges of navigating the complexities of her

3 senior year. These familial and personal struggles are the backdrop against which Lady Bird's character development and coming-of-age journey unfold throughout the movie. Family Structure Lady Bird's family includes Marion and Larry McPherson as her parents; Marion is a dedicated nurse, and Larry is a supportive presence. Conflict often arises due to Lady Bird's pursuit of independence and financial concerns. Her older brother, Miguel, attends college but has limited involvement in the movie. Lady Bird's family of choice includes her best friend, Julie, who provides emotional support and companionship. Lady Bird's first love, Danny, also holds significance in her life. These relationships highlight the complexity of her family dynamics and the importance of understanding them within a family systems framework. On the other hand, Danny introduces her to the world of romance and relationships, adding another layer of complexity to her coming-of-age journey. Extended family members are not prominently featured in the film. However, the dynamics within her immediate family of origin and family of choice are central to Lady Bird's growth and development. These relationships provide support and challenges as she navigates the transition to adulthood and strives to find her own identity in her family and social environment. Presenting Problem Lady Bird and her family pursued counseling due to persistent communication challenges and strained relationships, especially from Lady Bird's perspective. These issues had lingered for years, intensifying as she neared high school graduation. Lady Bird, a free-spirited individual, felt constrained by her family's financial circumstance and desired to attend an East Coast university. This desire clashed with Marion's mother's concerns about financial stability, resulting in frequent disputes. Counseling became a solution to address these deep-rooted

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4 conflicts. The intensity of their disagreements had left them emotionally drained and struggling to communicate effectively. Seeking professional help marked their commitment to resolving these issues and fostering better understanding within the family (Swartz et al., 2019). In therapy, the family has committed to addressing several interconnected issues. Firstly, improving communication and understanding between Lady Bird and her mother, Marion, is a priority, aiming to bridge generational and cultural gaps that fuel their conflicts. Secondly, they are tackling Lady Bird's ambition to attend an East Coast college, necessitating discussions about the family's financial limitations and potential compromises, including exploring alternative college options. Last but not least, therapy seeks to guide Lady Bird and her family through the challenges of her imminent transition to college by addressing the emotional distress and ambiguity that accompany such major life changes. The ultimate goal is to foster better cohesion, mutual support, and a more harmonious environment, enabling Lady Bird to pursue her dreams while maintaining familial bonds (Carlson et al., 2013). Bio-Psycho-Social Evaluation Lady Bird and her family have faced significant losses and challenges. One major loss is the economic downturn, which compelled them to downgrade their living situation, potentially affecting Lady Bird's stability and security during her formative years. Furthermore, Lady Bird's desire to attend college on the East Coast represents a loss of connection to her family and community, which may elicit emotions of detachment. While the film does not overtly address drug addiction or mental health difficulties in the family, there are clues of emotional strain and possibly mental health issues, notably in Lady Bird's mother, Marion, who displays symptoms of worry and controlling tendencies (Lenza et al., 2017).

5 Lady Bird's yearning for freedom and self-discovery is marked by great desire. Her connections, particularly with her mother, are defined by a push-pull dynamic in which she pursues autonomy while resisting being constrained by her family's economic difficulties. Lady Bird's age in the film suggests that she is investigating personal connections and sexual practices. Her engagement with two separate males in the film represents her longing for love adventures outside of her family. However, these interactions expose her sensitivity and desire for emotional connection, which her family dynamics may impact. Her brief contacts with guys may reflect her need for security and a feeling of belonging, which she typically sought via romantic relationships throughout adolescence. Narrative Summary In "Lady Bird," the family interactions are characterized by a complicated interplay of autonomy and connection. Lady Bird's main issue is her desire for independence and individuality, which conflicts with her family's financial limits and her mother's controlling inclinations. The core issue, drawn from a family systems perspective, is the battle for individuation within the family unit. Lady Bird seeks autonomy while her family attempts to stabilize financially. This dynamic reflects Bowen's differentiation of self-theory, where Lady Bird represents the individuated self, and her family represents the fused self (Delgado, 2021). Common themes include conflicts related to self-identity, belonging, and socioeconomic status. Financial difficulties and poor communication and understanding between Lady Bird and her mother are barriers to progress. The family's strengths include perseverance as they negotiate economic obstacles and a desire for connection despite disputes. The family's current psychological capability may be impacted by earlier events, notably Lady Bird's upbringing in a

6 lower-middle-class milieu. Lady Bird's actions might be an effort to define her individuality and escape her family's financial restraints, expressing her desire for development and self-discovery. Systemic Diagnosis A Bowenian family systems lens may be used to diagnose Lady Bird's family. The family has challenges with self-differentiation, as Lady Bird's desire for independence clashes with her family's enmeshment and financial troubles. This causes emotional conflict and misunderstandings among family members. Bowen's theory sheds insight on the family's presenting issues by emphasizing the role of distinction on family dynamics—Lady Bird's yearning for autonomy clashes with her mother's overinvolvement, adding to their tensions. The family's failure to adjust to Lady Bird's shifting wants and goals exacerbates the problem. This diagnosis is consistent with Bowenian theory's basic premises, stressing the significance of difference in attaining healthy family functioning. Lady Bird's family issues illustrate the theory's central premise that poorly differentiated family members struggle to adjust to change. According to Bowenian family systems theory, the primary problem in the family is a lack of differentiation, as shown by the family systems evaluation of "Lady Bird." Lady Bird's desire for independence coincides with her family's emotional and financial hardships, resulting in confrontations and damaged relationships. This evaluation emphasizes the importance of difference in family dynamics and emphasizes the necessity for interventions to increase communication and flexibility within the family. To create healthy family functioning, therapeutic interventions should improve individual distinctiveness, develop open discussion, and assist family members in adjusting to change (Kaakinen et al., 2018).

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7 References Carlson, C. I., Krumholz, L. S., & Snyder, D. K. (2013). Assessment in marriage and family counseling. In K. F. Geisinger, B. A. Bracken, J. F. Carlson, J.-I. C. Hansen, N. R. Kuncel, S. P. Reise, & M. C. Rodriguez (Eds.), APA handbook of testing and assessment in psychology, Vol. 2. Testing and assessment in clinical and counseling psychology (pp. 569–586). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14048-033 Delgado, R. B. (2021). The Relationship between Bowen’s Self-Differentiation Theory and Acculturation Conflict and Its Effect on Latino Adolescent Anxiety (Doctoral dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology). Gerwig, G. (Director). (2017). Lady Bird. Kaakinen, J. R., Coehlo, D. P., Steele, R., & Robinson, M. (2018). Family health care nursing: Theory, practice, and research. FA Davis. Lenza, A. S., Gómez Soler, I., Dell’Aquilla, J., & Martinez Uribe, P. (2017). Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Assessments for Use in Counseling Research. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, Volume(Issue), Page numbers. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481756.2013.1320943 Swartz, T. H., Palermo, A. G. S., Masur, S. K., & Aberg, J. A. (2019). The science and value of diversity: closing the gaps in our understanding of inclusion and diversity. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 220(Supplement_2), S33-S41.

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