Parenthood (TV Series)

[HannaBelle]

Anyone else watching?

I am interested in other fans perspective on the way Kristina is handling the whole Max / Dylan relationship.

In last night’s episode, Max physically attacked another student after spreading a flyer around school about him. Then Max made a "collage" for Dylan and refused to leave her alone. Kristina did zero about either of these things as a Mom or as the school administrator.

I know Max has Asperger’s and that is an integral part of his character, but I think he was way out of line to continue to pressure Dylan after she repeatedly asked him to stop.

Am I way off base or is Kristina just allowing Max to run amuck?

Full disclosure – I have zero real life experience with Asperger’s or Autism.

 

[JanaDee]

Anyone else watching?

I am interested in other fans perspective on the way Kristina is handling the whole Max / Dylan relationship.

In last night’s episode, Max physically attacked another student after spreading a flyer around school about him. Then Max made a "collage" for Dylan and refused to leave her alone. Kristina did zero about either of these things as a Mom or as the school administrator.

I know Max has Asperger’s and that is an integral part of his character, but I think he was way out of line to continue to pressure Dylan after she repeatedly asked him to stop.

Am I way off base or is Kristina just allowing Max to run amuck?

Full disclosure – I have zero real life experience with Asperger’s or Autism.

Max has always been a tyrant and Kristina lets him walk all over her. She continually makes excuses for him instead of disciplining him.

I thought the fact she didn't address the harassment of Dylan even after Dylan told him repeatedly to stop was a HUGE oversight, but not surprising for Kristina's character.

 

[CdnCarrie]

There has always been criticism by fans of this show about how Adam and Kristina let Max get away with everything. And I agree. They do not handle him well at all.

 

[mrsv98]

I am watching the episode right now.

1) can't stand the way they let Max walk all over them. "Am I in trouble?" hell yes! You created a smear campaign and shoved a student and your mother, the principal!!!

2) Really Hank, you can't go into the house and stop the party??? Grow a pair!

 

[HannaBelle]

TY, I was thinking all of those things!

I really dislike Max but he is a product of his environment. He has almost zero boundaries.

At first I did not really like Dylan, but she is growing on me. Either way, she did not deserve that and as the administrator, Kristina should have been her advocate. Certainly not run across the street and encourage Max.

 

[DisReno]

Yes, he was harrassing Dylan, and when she finally blew up at him, Kristina gave her a dirty look, then went after Max and said she was proud of him, or something like that.

He was way out of line, and out of control, and they created a school (totally unrealistic) to accommodate him.

But there are parents like that in real life, unfortunately, who go way over board to their children instead of holding them accountable.

Just because Max has Aspergers doesn't mean he shouldn't learn respect and boundaries.

 

[LisaR]

As the parent of a son with aspergers, I think this show has done a great disservice to the spectrum community. Instead of using the platform to educate the public on what it is like for these kids to have to deal with a society that doesn't operate the way they feel it should, they have decided to create a family who thinks the world should revolve around their "buddy." Max is never in the wrong according to his parents. They make excuses for his rude, out of control behavior all the time and blame everything on aspergers. He has never been disciplined. When Gossip Girl chick (can't think of her name) tried to discipline him in one episode, mom and dad went nuts.

Kids with aspergers aren't stupid; just the opposite in most cases. They may not understand why the world doesn't work in a way they find to be the most logical, but they can be taught that we do certain things in life for a reason. Being polite, not harassing people, not interrupting, not getting everything you want, etc are lessons in life everyone needs to learn.

Unfortunately, I know many parents who applaud the show for their "realistic" portrayal of living with someone on the spectrum. I think it is nothing but a realistic portrayal of extremely poor parenting.

 

[HannaBelle]

As the parent of a son with aspergers, I think this show has done a great disservice to the spectrum community. Instead of using the platform to educate the public on what it is like for these kids to have to deal with a society that doesn't operate the way they feel it should, they have decided to create a family who thinks the world should revolve around their "buddy." Max is never in the wrong according to his parents. They make excuses for his rude, out of control behavior all the time and blame everything on aspergers. He has never been disciplined. When Gossip Girl chick (can't think of her name) tried to discipline him in one episode, mom and dad went nuts.

Kids with aspergers aren't stupid; just the opposite in most cases. They may not understand why the world doesn't work in a way they find to be the most logical, but they can be taught that we do certain things in life for a reason. Being polite, not harassing people, not interrupting, not getting everything you want, etc are lessons in life everyone needs to learn.

Unfortunately, I know many parents who applaud the show for their "realistic" portrayal of living with someone on the spectrum. I think it is nothing but a realistic portrayal of extremely poor parenting.

TY for sharing your perspective!

 

[lisaviolet]

Unfortunately, I know many parents who applaud the show for their "realistic" portrayal of living with someone on the spectrum. I think it is nothing but a realistic portrayal of extremely poor parenting.

And this is why I think it's a great portrayal. Flawed characters. They are realistic because they are imperfect. Kristina is ridiculous with him at times. Adam is more balanced, in my opinion.

But LisaR, it's certainly has increased my compassion and empathy for what parents of autistic children can go through daily and what their children face as well, hands down and back around.

I don't know how realistic the actor's portrayal is of Aspergers but regardless I think he should be granted with an Emmy nomination for his role of Max.

__________________________________________________________

I haven't enjoyed this final season as much as I seem to keep waiting for the shoe to drop, so to speak. I wish I wasn't but I am.

And if I ever have a husband/partner like Hank, someone who can't protect, stand up and support even in the smallest ways at times - God help me and them. (Love his portrayal though! And his relationship with Max.)

 

[nugov2]

Anyone else watching?

I am interested in other fans perspective on the way Kristina is handling the whole Max / Dylan relationship.

In last night’s episode, Max physically attacked another student after spreading a flyer around school about him. Then Max made a "collage" for Dylan and refused to leave her alone. Kristina did zero about either of these things as a Mom or as the school administrator.

I know Max has Asperger’s and that is an integral part of his character, but I think he was way out of line to continue to pressure Dylan after she repeatedly asked him to stop.

Am I way off base or is Kristina just allowing Max to run amuck?

Full disclosure – I have zero real life experience with Asperger’s or Autism.

I watch/love this show

I agree with you 100%!! I get that as a mom she is proud that her son has taken a step they weren't sure he ever would, but the rest of his behavior(um...he pushed his mom in the hall!!) was inappropriate. While, I understand he has difficulty with his emotions, but he was bullying another student and harassing Dylan IMO and then assaulted the headmaster(aka mom) to boot. He should be suspended for his behavior.

 

[LisaR]

And this is why I think it's a great portrayal. Flawed characters. They are realistic because they are imperfect. Kristina is ridiculous with him at times. Adam is more balanced, in my opinion.

But LisaR, it's certainly has increased my compassion and empathy for what parents of autistic children can go through daily and what their children face as well, hands down and back around.

I don't know how realistic the actor's portrayal is of Aspergers but regardless I think he should be granted with an Emmy nomination for his role of Max.

__________________________________________________________

I haven't enjoyed this final season as much as I seem to keep waiting for the shoe to drop, so to speak. I wish I wasn't but I am.

And if I ever have a husband/partner like Hank, someone who can't protect, stand up and support even in the smallest ways at times - God help me and them. (Love his portrayal though! And his relationship with Max.)

To the bold, that's great!!

I also think the actor who plays Max does an excellent job! I think he is very realistic. Unfortunately, no child should control their parents or their household and that is what the parents have allowed to happen. There are only a few more episodes until the series comes to an end. I would love to hear the parents admit just once that maybe, just maybe they should have set some boundaries for Max so he would be capable of living on his own. They have catered to his every whim and he will never be able to hold down a job, attend college, or have a girlfriend when he has been allowed to have repeated fits, shove people, harass whoever he doesn't like, rule the roost, and is constantly told he hasn't done anything wrong. Such a disservice.

 

[tajz90]

I have more issue with Ruby and her parents behavior than I do Max and his parents. Geez. That kid is a nightmare...