Families provide people with an atmosphere in which to live, grow and develop. A family unit is established by the parents and instilled in the children during their upbringing. A healthy family follows a set of strong morals and works together to avoid conflict. If conflict gets the best of a family it has the potential to increase hostility and create remoteness between family members. However, if the family resolves conflict, whether it be amongst themselves or with the help of a therapist, it can strengthen the family relationships and turn a negative situation into a positive one.
In the movie, "Ordinary People", the Jarrett family must deal with many conflicts. One conflict being death and depression, Conrad dealing with his parents and friends forgiving himself as well as others for his brother's death and allowing himself to express emotion. For a family to be fully prepared to deal with conflict, they must be willing to cooperate with each other. Stubbornness prevents families from resolving their differences and prevents them from considering and visualizing other people's views, which, in essence, makes it even harder for families to overcome conflict.
The movie, "Ordinary People", is a wonderful and complex drama with fascinating family dynamics. The basic story is about the aftermath of the death of Buck Jarrett, in a boating accident, in which his brother Conrad survives. At least on the surface, it appears that he survives. Much of the rest of the story is about Conrad's attempt to survive the guilt and agony of the loss of his brother. Below the surface lies the story of the marriage of Conrad's parents Beth and Calvin Jarrett. They live in an upper middle class neighborhood of Chicago. Calvin is a kind and responsible peacemaker. Beth is a very private, socially .
conscious housewife who adored Buck and had a special relationship with him. She appears to be more interested in keeping up appearances in her social circle, then in Conrad's emotional welfare.