The show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, offers a reversed perspective on the role of parents and youth. In “Generation Lapse: The Problematic Parenting of Joyce Summers and Rupert Giles,” Cynthia Bowers claims that the authority figures fulfill the stereotypical “teen role” of irresponsibility sprinkled with drug and alcohol abuse which is probably most poignantly depicted in “Becoming Part 2” when Buffy orders her panicking parent to “Have another drink, Mom.” While Joyce is selfishly thinking about the life she wants for her daughter regardless of the atrocities that would be committed because of her wish’s fulfillment, Buffy is out doing her duty and picking up the slack of the ignorant adults to the great lose of all she loves.
As Ken describes, “You got the look, though... Like you had to grow up way too fast”. Buffy quickly takes on the role and responsibility of parent in “Becoming Part 2” and “Anne”. She is the one who must take care not only of her family but also of the rest of the world. In the former episode, Buffy must sacrifice, Angel, her most precious object for the sake of the greater good; the situation is oddly comparable to a mother who has discovered her lover is abusing her children and must remove him from society for the sake of her “children.” In “Anne,” Buffy is on her own taking care of herself as well as the helpless Lily. Even Giles recognizes Buffy’s role when he soothes Joyce with the words “Buffy is the most capable child I’ve ever known... I honestly believe she’s in no danger.” Joyce does nothing; Buffy is the real mother figure in the series.
Beyond just a reversal of roles, the adults are not only portrayed as childish but also as evil. Almost all the monsters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer are of the adult generation with the exception of the pathetic “Anointed One.” In fact, Family Home, where Ken claims the children will be safe and cared for, is actually a trap to deceive youth into being led into the demonic slave trade. All the authority figures in Buffy, Joyce Summers, Principal Snyder, Ken, even at times Giles (episode 2.6 “Halloween”), fail Buffy causes more harm and hindrance than help. Authority figures are never portrayed as supportive, encouraging, or even safe.
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Dr. Rose says:
ReplyDeleteWell, I wouldn't say "never" but every adult at some time or other is problematic, at best. I like the track you are on of looking at Buffy in the mother role, and thinking about how that intersects with her identity as a high school student. What would we expect to happen when girls as young as Buffy are thrust into the "mother" role? Any implications?
February 24, 2009 1:22 PM