Fears of Children
Moving Image:Fears of Children
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Fears of Children is a short film from 1951 released on 16mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.
FEARS OF CHILDREN, the third in a series of mental health films entitled "Emotions of Everyday Living," is a film about Paul, a normal five-year-old, and his well-intentioned parents.
The opening sequence shows Paul cautiously and timidly entering his parents' bedroom in the early morning hours. Helen, his mother, invites him into her bed and lovingly cuddles him up to her. Their conversation awakens Jim, who sullenly remonstrates about Paul's awakening them at this early hour.
A series of episodes accompanying the family breakfast shows that Helen and Jim understand each other but don't understand Paul. When Paul observes his father and mother kissing each other, he feels very much neglected. Later when Jim blames him for having a turtle in the way and also for not assuming a sufficient amount of responsibility, he feels very misunderstood. He finally agrees to having breakfast; but because he is practically commanded by his parents to drink his orange juice, he unfavorably compares it with the loving way in which his mother offers his father coffee. When he accidentally upsets the coffee, his father orders him to go to his room. Alone in his room, he angrily throws the teddy bear which his father had recently given him and then violently kicks it.
Later in the afternoon, Helen and her friend Alice take a walk and allow their children, Paul and Mike, to ride their bicycles. Several incidents show that Alice gives Mike much more freedom and encouragement than Helen gives Paul. When Paul becomes very frightened after entering a park cave formed by huge rocks, his mother is tempted to force him to back into the cave to overcome his fear. Her friend Alice interferes, suggesting that it would be harmful to Paul. Later, over a cup of coffee at Alice's home, Alice says that she and Mike have come to understand that little boys get angry and that parents should accept it and not reciprocate. She explains that she and her husband had had trouble with Mike, too, but that their doctor had told them that the way to overcome Mike's fears was to be kind to him and to encourage him.
Later that evening, when Jim returns, Helen tells him about Alice's and Mike's experiences. Jim obstinately insists that the time has arrived to teach Paul to overcome his fears and to assume responsibility. His refusal to allow Paul to have a light on in his room is climaxed by a nightmare in which Paul associates his father with a bear. Even when he is awake, he pleads with his mother to take the bear, indicating his father, out of the room. Jim leaves and Helen manages to get Paul back to sleep.
Alone in the living room Helen and Jim realistically discuss the problems which seem to be facing Paul, and Jim comes to the terrible realization that his son is afraid of him. He resolves to be more friendly and understanding toward Paul. The concluding sequence shows Paul and his father at the entrance to the same cave which earlier had frightened Paul. When Paul refuses to enter, his father affectionately lifts him high on his shoulders and takes him where he wants to go.
(Educational Screen, April 1952)| Fears of Children | |
|---|---|
| Produced by | International Film Foundation |
Production company | International Film Foundation |
| Distributed by | International Film Foundation |
Release date | 1951 |
Running time | 27:15 |
| Language | English |
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