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Finding Nemo - Losing Us

© Kerry Hook

Disney plays a rather large role in the life of American children, and consequently their moms. I recall watching Lilo and Stitch, and thinking that so much of that story, is really the story of the single mom. How many of us are struggling financially, juggling jobs, responsibility, and childcare? And how many are being scrutinized by a children's protective service (CPS)? This doesn't just happen to moms who are negligent anymore. Any parent, even the most dedicated and loving mom can be cast under their watchful eye of a government worker (who is typically poorly paid, and poorly trained). I know of several single moms that stay worried that they are one phone call away from such scrutiny. An angry ex, his parents, or his new step-wife are all more than willing to place them on the wrong end of a government watchdog, in a ploy to switch custody and escape child support.

So, I sat and wondered, was the story originally conceived of as the story of a single mom? Is it possible that it was changed to the story of a couple of orphans because it wasn't politically correct to have a major motion picture for kids that portrayed the life of a single mom despite the fact that there are so many of us? Wouldn't it have been truer to the life of millions of women and children? Aren't there far less families where both parents die in an accident?

Or perhaps a closer connection to real life would have been just too scary. I watched that show, and I think it was scary for any mother and child that may have been under the threat of being separated by the courts, vindictive fathers or government agents.

So when I recently saw Finding Nemo, I tried to place my disappointment with Disney aside. I know that too often what is going on in the courts seems to replicated everywhere lately. This devaluing of moms, and the overvaluing of dads to the point that even very abusive dads, ones convicted of child abuse (or indicted for sexual abuse) are seen as "essential" is the new politically correct paradigm. Each time this paradigm is paraded out before us, it plays a part in a "social construction" of it, and strengthens it.

I set aside my anger at the movie, lest it consume me. But more recently I found that I wasn't the only one with concerns about this movie. What follows are the words of another woman. I'll call her Betty Lightmoore. I found her review quite analytical, and certainly food for thought.

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