Post by wildimagination on Mar 4, 2008 2:00:28 GMT -5
Ok...I'm hearing a lot of fans saying (jokingly) that the Fire Nation royal family is dysfunctional. But are they really?
I'm taking a Human Growth and Development class at my college, and part of my course was learning about family function and the different types of family. In my textbook, there are five factors to a functional family. I'm going to list each one and comment about Zuko's family underneath the excerpt.
1. Provide food, clothing, and shelter. Now, children can definately eat, bathe, and dress by themselves, but they can't obtain the basic neccesities of life without their family's help.
I'm going to let this one slide, since Zuko, Azula, Ozai, and Ursa are royalty after all. They definately have the important neccesities provided.
2. Encourage Education. It's important for school aged children to master academic skills. Famillies must get their children to school, and guide and motivate their education.
Well, we know that Ursa definately encouraged Zuko with his firebending, but we don't know about Azula. Ozai obviously wasn't impressed with Zuko's skills. Not encouraging.
3. Develop self-esteem. As children become more mature, they become more self critical. Famillies help their children feel loved, competent, and appreciated.
Ursa- 1, Ozai- 0. Now, Ursa definately developed Zuko's self-esteem while she still lived at the palace, but she didn't help Azula at all. Vice versa for Ozai, which is why Zuko's self-esteem is a little low.
4. Nurture friendships with peers. Famillies provide time, space, oppertunity, and social skills to develop peer relationships.
Well, Azula definately has a B+ in that! Ozai favors Azula and probably spent more time with her than Zuko. Ursa left when Zuko was still young, but I bet if she had stayed, Zuko would definately have more friends and would get along better with anyone.
5. Provide harmony and stability. Children need to feel safe and secure with protective and predictable family routines.
Looking back, I doubt Zuko felt safe while he was still at the palace. Getting burned and banished by Ozai and getting two lightning bolts thrown at him was pretty unpredictable.
No family is perfect but a functional family helps the children grow in mind and body.
What are you guys' opinions on this? I just thought it was interesting.
I'm taking a Human Growth and Development class at my college, and part of my course was learning about family function and the different types of family. In my textbook, there are five factors to a functional family. I'm going to list each one and comment about Zuko's family underneath the excerpt.
1. Provide food, clothing, and shelter. Now, children can definately eat, bathe, and dress by themselves, but they can't obtain the basic neccesities of life without their family's help.
I'm going to let this one slide, since Zuko, Azula, Ozai, and Ursa are royalty after all. They definately have the important neccesities provided.
2. Encourage Education. It's important for school aged children to master academic skills. Famillies must get their children to school, and guide and motivate their education.
Well, we know that Ursa definately encouraged Zuko with his firebending, but we don't know about Azula. Ozai obviously wasn't impressed with Zuko's skills. Not encouraging.
3. Develop self-esteem. As children become more mature, they become more self critical. Famillies help their children feel loved, competent, and appreciated.
Ursa- 1, Ozai- 0. Now, Ursa definately developed Zuko's self-esteem while she still lived at the palace, but she didn't help Azula at all. Vice versa for Ozai, which is why Zuko's self-esteem is a little low.
4. Nurture friendships with peers. Famillies provide time, space, oppertunity, and social skills to develop peer relationships.
Well, Azula definately has a B+ in that! Ozai favors Azula and probably spent more time with her than Zuko. Ursa left when Zuko was still young, but I bet if she had stayed, Zuko would definately have more friends and would get along better with anyone.
5. Provide harmony and stability. Children need to feel safe and secure with protective and predictable family routines.
Looking back, I doubt Zuko felt safe while he was still at the palace. Getting burned and banished by Ozai and getting two lightning bolts thrown at him was pretty unpredictable.
No family is perfect but a functional family helps the children grow in mind and body.
What are you guys' opinions on this? I just thought it was interesting.