The movie Parenthood centers around the Buckman family. In this film the Buckman family has a number of dysfunctional interactions that stem from a rejection of how the parents were raised by their own father. Because this family is dysfunctional however, they actually are a rather typical American family. Although the parents wish to distance themselves from the previous generation's style of child-rearing, their determination leads them astray. This film reminds the audience that relationship patterns persist.
The story focuses on the characters Gil and Karen Buckman, who are parents of three struggling to cope with generational differences and their own shortcomings. Their oldest son, Kevin, is neurotic because he has been fussed over his entire life. Because of this he requires therapy. The film incorporates multiple generations (Howard, 1989). Gil's father Frank, and his two sisters Helen and Susan all live in a suburban town in close proximity to each other.
Helen is a divorcee with two teenagers. The oldest teenager is 16 and secretly sleeping with her boyfriend. Helen's 13 year old son is a pornography obsessed skateboarder. She is nervous and frustrated as a mother although she does her best not to project her personal bitterness onto her children. This is a difficult battle however, and she appears pained and anxious about the situation her family is in. Her daughter ends up rebelling from her mother's perspective in her chosen way. Meanwhile Helen's son remains distant.
Susan Merrick is Gil's other sister. She is a schoolteacher. Nathan, Susan's husband, is a helicopter parent who is fixated on the idea of his daughter becoming a prodigy. Because of this, he forces his 3 year old to endure chemical symbol flash card drills.
Larry, Gil's younger brother, shows up unexpectedly at a family gathering with his illegitimate son, Cool. He has compulsive gambling problems and meanwhile doesn't give enough ti...