Conduct Disorder and American Drama Film Essay Example

beautiful girl in school, who eventually leads Tracy down a path of sex, drugs, piercing, and petty crimes, such as stealing money from purses and stores. As Tracy transforms herself and her identity, her new world becomes more complex and builds up new tensions between her and her mother, as well as her teachers and old friends. To discipline Tracy, her mother who was permissive "letting children do anything they want or being uninvolved or unconcerned" (Wade ; Travis, pg. 91 p. 2) finally steps in by using the induction strategy.

The induction strategy is defined as "a strategy in which the parent appeals to the child's own abilities, empathy, helpful nature, affection for others, and sense of responsibility. " (Wade ; Travis, pg. 91 p. l) Furthermore, psychologists Beer Arnold and Loehlin have stated "Parents do influence their children in lots of ways. They contribute to their children's religious beliefs, intellectual and occupational interests, feelings of self-esteem or inadequacy, adherence to traditional or modern notions of masculinity and femininity, helpfulness to others, skills and values.

Above all, what parents do profoundly affects the quality of their relationship with their children as well. " (Wade ; Travis, pg. 60. P. 1) This demonstrates Tracy Freeland's behavior towards her single-mother. In addition, Tracy's would fall under the category of conduct disorder, which is a as: defiant, impulsive, or antisocial behavior, drug use, and criminal activity. Although Tracey got herself into a lot of trouble she was able to, in the end, change herself. In a way, I see this giving hope to those are young and troubled like Tracy's character nd feel as if it is

too late.

Overall, I believe there are many messages and meanings behind this film. From my perspective, it's suppose to give you an inside look of how peer pressure can lure kids away from their moorings and their families. It also displays how much trouble a thirteen year old can get into with lack of adult supervision. I can very much relate to Tracy's character because I myself went through the same experience back in high school when I started smoking and dealing with eating disorder in order to fit in with certain group.

The film pushes the limit to make you feel either a great amount of anger, amazement, understanding and/or connection towards the character. Basically, for those who have never experienced what these young teens have gone through, this movie will shock many of them. Therefore, I recommend this fascinating movie to mostly teenagers and parents, but also to students who are in the field of psychology. Summary: A thirteen-year-old girl's (Wood) relationship with her mother (Hunter) is put to the test as she discovers drugs, sex, and petty crime in the company of her cool but troubled best friend (Reed)