"The kids are alright" - A new dimension to Parenting

The word Parent is derived from its Latin verb "parere" - which means "Bringing forth". Interestingly. the origin of this word in the mid sixteenth century meant an opening up to reveal or bring forth a fully formed being. I was tempted to understand the root of this word because one of the important issues being debated today in western circles is about "single sex parenting". Two members of a the same gender approach a sperm donor or an uterus loaner, as the case may be, and decide to raise resulting children by being a parent to them. So there are two moms or two dads and the other half is missing from the equation.
From an evolutionary perspective, this is quite a remarkable turn of events. Except in early forms of multicellular organisms, which is quaintly called unisexed, we don't have this phenomenon ever recorded in paleontological history. Every known organism that qualifies to be included in reproductive tradition have always exhibited a tendency to involve both sexes in conception and upbringing ( to whatever duration necessary). Man, like many other things, is attempting to break way here from billions of years of natural biological impulse..
"The Kids are alright" is a 2010 movie featuring two brilliant actors - Annette Benning and Julianne Moore in lead roles (Nic and Jules) as single parents to two kids ( a teenage girl and an adolescent boy). The story begins with a search for their sperm donor ( a justifiable curiosity to identify the progenitor of the sperm!!! ); only to find that their biological father is a debonair, dashing and sexually active man, whose restaurant business thrives not only for its good cuisine but equally for the savvy owner's prowess on bed. The Children take a liking for his personality and congenial attitude towards life; and unfortunately so does "one of the Moms" - Jules . Nic, the other parent , an obstetrician by profession treats this intruder with skepticism; but finally begins to warm to Paul.. The film wonderfully explores the complex relationship between two lesbian parents; kids who adore them as role models, but still ache to feel the warmth and embrace of a father figure in their lives. They are well educated. mannered and given all the support conventional parenting would have given them, yet there is a primordial ache of not having a male within their reach. Lisa Cholodenko's direction and screen play brings that angst to screen quite brilliantly. There is a palpable sense of sadness beneath all the fun, frolic and positivity that abounds in their individual lives. The protagonists exhibit a void deep down in their hearts. The story ends on a very upbeat note. Human society has evolved to a point where we have began to rewrite genetical rules. I am not sure that this is an experiment that will succeed. We are just about hundred thousand years old as a species - a minuscule amount of time to gauge the outcome of these divagations in natural course of things..
Speaking of Individual performances : Julianne Moore is one of those actors who can bring on passion with a frenzied intensity on screen. Sultry, red haired , her body language has always bordered on the sensuous. She plays the physically vulnerable female parent to perfection; and so does Annette Benning, the intellectual - the lady in control of the family and steering it in right directions. Without the both of them, this film would have lacked the authenticity that it generated. Though a controversial theme, the film made it to the academy awards, but not surprisingly, did not win any. Americans still frown at such eccentric relationships.. Mark Ruffalo as the father throws in a convincing performance as well. From an anonymous sperm donor to bonding with his kids, his character shows layered transformations on his face, conversation and body language.
In all, again, a well orchestrated drama with all key elements in place. I highly recommend this to my friends. May be a bit scandalous, but reality always is , isn't it?
God bless..




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