The family lessons hiding inside 'Breaking Bad'
What's the story
For those who know the deal, Breaking Bad is a show that highlights the intricacies of family, in the turmoil of crime and ethical quandaries. The show depicts how family ties change in times of pressure, giving the audience a glimpse of how families in real life interact. By analyzing these ties, one can learn how stress and outside sources impact family relationships. Here are some important family dynamics in Breaking Bad.
Trust issues
The impact of secrets on trust
In Breaking Bad, secrets are central to the trust (or lack thereof) within the White family. Walter White's choice to keep his criminal life a secret from his wife, Skyler, widens the rift between them with time. This depiction emphasizes how secrets can ruin trust and lead to miscommunication in families. It reminds us that honesty is key to healthy relationships.
Money matters
Financial strain and its consequences
The series also illustrates how financial strain can affect family dynamics. Walter's initial motivation to enter the drug trade stems from financial concerns about providing for his family's future. As money becomes both a solution and a problem, it showcases how financial pressures can lead to ethical compromises and alter familial roles, often resulting in tension and conflict.
Changing roles
Role reversals under pressure
Breaking Bad does a great job of showing how roles shift at the White House as things go on. Skyler goes from being oblivious to being an active player in Walter's schemes, showing how people change when they're caught off guard. It highlights how roles within families aren't fixed when dealt with under outside pressure.
Outside influences
The influence of external relationships
Going beyond blood, external relationships play a major role in shaping family dynamics in Breaking Bad. Hank Schrader and others add another layer of complication through their involvement with the protagonists. How outside influences can either support or break family ties, depending on what they are and what they want, is something these relationships showcase.
Handling stress
Coping mechanisms amidst chaos
The series also highlights the various coping mechanisms characters employ when stressors hit home. From denial to confrontation, each character is shown to deal with pressure situations at home in different ways. These portrayals give a glimpse into real-life coping strategies families might employ when hit by the worst of times without indulging in unhealthy behavior or decisions.