The story of a family of siblings attempting to come to terms with the patriarchal society in which they were raised is shown in the film Brothers & Sisters: Patriarchy. The head of the family is known as the patriarch, and he exerts a great deal of authority over his offspring. The children are working together to devise a plan that would allow them to steer their own lives without their father’s interference. In addition, they are attempting to come to terms with the idea that their father is not morally upstanding. The film’s story focuses on the characters’ struggles to navigate the world independently and communicate effectively with their parent (Brothers and Sisters, 2006). The film illustrates several aspects of life in a society, such as family conflict, work conflict, friend or romance conflict, Meta-communication and self-esteem; thus, this paper analyses this concept learned from the film.
Family Conflict
Regarding their father’s position in their lives, the siblings in the film Brothers & Sisters are at odds. The sister is concerned since their father does not seem as interested in their life as he once was, and the brother is trying to fill the family’s position as a patriarch. The practical application would be investigating the source of the sister’s distress and the brother’s desire to assume the situation’s leadership. One reason might be that the sister perceives that she is about to lose her father, while the brother perceives that it is his responsibility to step up and take care of the family now that their father is no longer around (Brothers and Sisters, 2006). This could cause a great deal of conflict between the two siblings. This disagreement arises in many families today, particularly those in which the patriarch system is still in place.
The sister is likewise concerned about her brother succeeding their father since she believes he is unprepared. This sibling is trying to persuade their father that he is prepared to take over the management of the family company.
The fact that the protagonist’s father is not yet prepared to step down from his position as patriarch is a source of contention amongst the protagonist’s sibling characters. The sister and the brother strive to demonstrate to their respective parents that they can make it independently.
The conflict between the brother and sister in the movie reflects the dispute that may arise in real families when the patriarchal figure is put into question. This tension may be brought on by a variety of factors, including a shift in the dynamic of the family, one individual attempting to assume the position of patriarch before they are prepared to do so, or an individual’s perception that they are not being given a chance to demonstrate their worth (Adisa et al., 2018).
Work Conflict
The drama Brothers & Sisters features a sibling dynamic that is fraught with tension regularly. They never stop bickering and attempting to outdo one another in competitiveness. In real life, sibling rivalry and competition for attention may be a continual source of conflict, and it is not uncommon for them to behave in this manner. This conflict may be caused by envy or insecurity, which is often exacerbated when there is a perception that an injustice has been committed. In the movie, the siblings often have the perception that they are not being appropriately treated, which results in increased sibling rivalry.
This disagreement may harm relationships and often results in a growing distance between the parties involved. The characters in the movie often say nasty things to one another, and there is a great deal of anger between them. This kind of behaviour does occur in real life, and it is often quite hard to mend relationships that have been damaged in this way. Despite this, siblings can work over their differences and have a robust and supportive connection. In the movie, the siblings gradually come to terms with their disagreements and support one another (Adisa et al., 2018). This is possible in real life and is worthy of your efforts.
In addition, the film investigates the idea of friction in the workplace. The story revolves around a group of brothers who are always at odds with one another during the movie. The siblings are compelled to cooperate to keep their family’s company afloat, regardless of their tensions. The movie emphasizes the significance of communication and being willing to compromise when it comes to conflicts at work. The siblings usually settle their disagreements by hashing things out and reaching a joint decision.
Additionally, the movie demonstrates how negative interactions at work may sometimes lead to great results. As a consequence of their argument, the siblings can become more affectionate toward one another and have a deeper understanding of one another. Conflict at work is a widespread problem that employees have to deal with on the job. The movie “Brothers and Sisters” accurately depicts how workplace conflicts might be addressed. People may typically find a way to work past their disagreements by conversing with one another and being willing to compromise.
The series Brothers & Sisters emphasizes the significance of open communication and working together to solve problems. It also illustrates how family dynamics may play a part in conflicts at work. The movie serves as a timely reminder that conflict is an inevitable aspect of human existence, yet, it need not be a stressful or upsetting experience. Despite appearances, conflict may provide an opportunity to deepen and enhance connections and friendships (Adisa et al., 2018). Conflict at work may be stressful, but it can also provide a chance for personal development and professional advancement. We may find a resolution to the problem and go ahead with our lives if we approach it with openness and empathy.
Friends or Romance Conflict
The fundamental tension of the movie Brothers & Sisters is the Walker family’s sibling rivalry and how each member interacts with the other members. The disagreement between the siblings is mainly brought on by their divergent perspectives on how best to deal with their deceased father’s love life. Sarah, the eldest of the three sisters, is the most conventional and believes that their father should continue to grieve alone after the passing of their mother. Kitty, the middle sister, has a more open outlook and thinks their father should go on and try to find love again. Rebecca, the youngest of the three sisters, is the most carefree and feels that their father should make the most of his life and have fun.
The sibling rivalry is a metaphor for the many ways in which individuals cope with the death of a loved one and the emotions associated with that loss. Sarah is having trouble coping with her suffering and cannot accept that her father is moving on with his life. Kitty is making an effort to be helpful and understanding, but in addition to that, she has her wants and requirements (Rotten Tomatoes Brothers and Sisters). Rebecca is still searching for her place in the world and is experimenting with various coping mechanisms to help her deal with the loss of her mother.
The struggle that exists between the siblings is also a metaphor for the many ways in which individuals adapt to new circumstances. Sarah is having a hard time accepting that her father is moving on with his life (Rotten Tomatoes Brothers and Sisters). Kitty is making an effort to be helpful and understanding, but in addition to that, she has her wants and requirements. Rebecca is still attempting to get a handle on her own life and is looking at various methods for dealing with change.
Sibling rivalry is a metaphor for individuals’ various approaches to managing interpersonal relationships. Sarah has difficulty accepting that her father is moving on with his life. Kitty is making an effort to be helpful and understanding, but in addition to that, she has her wants and requirements. Rebecca is still figuring out her own life and exploring various methods to deal with the challenges of interpersonal interactions.
Meta-communication
Meta-communication, also known as meta-talk, is a kind of communication in which individuals discuss how they interact with one another. This might entail having a conversation about the meaning of words, the structure of communication, or how communication connects with other parts of life (Adisa et al., 2018). It is a means of discussing how we interact with one another, and it may enhance the calibre of our communication.
In the film “Brothers & Sisters,” the characters spend much time talking about communication and how they talk to one another impacts their relationships. For instance, when the children of the deceased are preparing the memorial service for their mother, they debate the most effective ways to convey their emotions to one another. The characters often engage in “meta-talk” to contemplate and analyze their interactions with one another (Rotten Tomatoes Brothers and Sisters). This is especially helpful when people are attempting to mend a strained relationship due to a misunderstanding or difficulties in communicating with one another.
The use of meta-talk in everyday life has the potential to enhance our ability to communicate with other people. By conversing about our communication styles, we may heighten our awareness of the effect that the words and deeds we choose to have on the people around us. Meta-talk is another option for us to consider while trying to overcome communication issues and improve our mutual comprehension of one another.
Meta-communication is a kind of communication that helps individuals understand how communication works and how it can be utilized to strengthen relationships. This type of communication has potential applications in the real world. In the end, meta-communication may assist individuals in becoming better communicators, which, in turn, can lead to increased comprehension and more intimate connections with one another.
Self-esteem
The importance of having high self-esteem is a significant subject in the movie Brothers & Sisters. The film’s narrative covers the lives of five brothers, each coping with a unique set of challenges in their own life. Sarah, one of the sisters, has a difficult time maintaining a healthy sense of self-esteem. She continually compares herself to Rebecca, her elder sister, and concludes that she is not as capable as Rebecca. Because of this, Sarah has feelings of insecurity and lack of value. Sarah’s brother Tommy, on the other hand, is always there to support her and encourage her to recognize her value. He assures her that she is stunning and unique and that she should never evaluate herself in terms of how she stacks up against other people (Rotten Tomatoes Brothers and Sisters). Not only is this a crucial piece of information for Sarah, but it is also essential to comprehend the movie’s overarching concept.
The film does an excellent job of demonstrating how intricate and multi-faceted a concept like a self-esteem can be. It also emphasizes the significance of friends and family in contributing to one’s development of healthy self-esteem. Through the help of their loved ones, the movie’s characters can triumph over the challenges they face regarding their sense of self-worth (Adisa et al., 2018). This is an essential piece of advice for those in the real world battling challenges related to low self-esteem. Remember that you are not alone and that there are people who care about you and want to assist you. This is a very crucial point to keep in mind.
Low self-esteem is a problem that plagues a significant number of individuals, and it may cause significant harm. It is essential to remember that each person is one of a kind and unusual, as well as that nobody is flawless (Adisa et al., 2018). Comparisons are harmful and frequently result in a great deal of anguish. Every one of us ought to make an effort to accept ourselves exactly as we are and rejoice in our unique qualities.
Conclusion
In light of the above discussion, the series Brother and Sister showcases a significant part in the thematic flow of the film. From the rise in family conflict, family business, friends and the dynamics of personal esteem, the audience can have a dimensional and diverse perception of the film. It is through this concept that the dynamics between families are observed not only in the film but also in the real world. Therefore, Brother & Sisters has provided a significant concept that mirrors the real-world problem in the patriarchal society.
References
Adisa, T. A., Abdulraheem, I., & Isiaka, S. B. (2019). Patriarchal hegemony: Investigating the impact of patriarchy on women’s work-life balance. Gender in Management: An International Journal.
Brothers and Sisters. (2006). Season 1, Episode 1Patriarchy. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://abc.com/shows/brothers-and-sisters/episode-guide/season-01/01-patriarchy
Rotten Tomatoes Brothers and Sisters. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/brothers-and-sisters/s01/e01
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