RUBRICS
Awareness of Issue: _____
FAMIPOP Reflection Paper
Communication of Information and Ideas: _____
Critical and Creative Thinking Skills: _____ Name:_________________
Personal Judgment: _____ Section:_________________
Integration to Course Content: _____ Date:____________
SCORE _____ Reflection Paper Number:________
1. What functions of the family were not performed or fulfilled by the parents of the child?
Once a child is born into a family, the parents are chiefly accountable for the basic needs, security, and education of
their child. This pattern of dependence continues until the child reaches the age of maturity. Some cultures such as the
Filipinos even provide support for their children even beyond the age of maturity as what is happening to me. However,
for the case of Liz Murray, we can see her struggles all throughout the movie. Her clothes are always dirty. Her hair is
filled with lice. Liz smells bad and gets bullied for it in school. Her parents have failed to provide even her most basic
needs. Their house is always a mess, and they did not encourage her enough to go to school. Her parents are selfish
and prioritizes getting high on drugs before being able to put food into their mouths. And in the latter part of the movie,
Liz had no place to stay, yet her mom did not fight for her against her granddad. Instead, Liz slept on her friends’
couches. When she grew up and was already back in school, Liz was still sleeping in the train station because her dad
still could not provide for her. She was below 18, and yet she was living on her own. She was all alone in this world. Still,
I admire the way Liz is so wholly devoted to her mom even though her mom did not take care of her. Quoting Liz, “My
mother was my baby. I took care of her.” The roles reversed, and it was the child taking care of the parents. This is the
reason why Liz worked so hard in the end so that she would not suffer the same fate as her parents.
2. What were the negative consequences on the child for having dysfunctional parents?
I can’t even stress about the important role that the parents play in the life of their child. The environment that the
child grows up in is primarily dictated by the actions of the parents. Any negative actions done by the parents greatly
impacts the well-being of the child. Early childhood trauma wreaks havoc on the rest of the life of the child. Most often
than not, problematic adults have been victims of having a dysfunctional childhood. This is what happened to Liz’s mom
who was molested when she was young by her father. It greatly affected her for the rest of her life, even running away at
such a young age. Their sense of right and wrong are not necessarily the same with others. Additionally, a child with
dysfunctional parents have trouble with empathizing with others because they believe that someone is always out to get
them. Thankfully, Liz had such a strong desire to succeed in life and did not let the past define her. Even though her
parents could not provide her needs, they never hurt her nor did they ever abuse her in anyway of form.
3. In what ways can you relate with the child? Any similarity?
I am very fortunate that I cannot relate to the conditions surrounding her childhood. As a child, I liked going to school
even when I was young. I hated missing classes. When she was a child, Liz is the complete opposite of me in terms of
behavior. It is only in the end when I began to see any similarities between Liz and me. The strongest way I can relate to
her is her hunger to succeed. She did not let her past define her. However, the similarities end there. Unlike her, my
parents are very supportive. They always put my needs before their own. They have always supported my dreams. They
believed in me when I don’t even believe in myself. They always want the best for me. They protect me from anyone who
tries to hurt me whether physically or emotionally. I always have someone to run to. Still, I admire Liz because of her
perseverance. It takes a lot more effort, determination, grit, and perseverance to succeed, yet she was able to define the
odds. The best thing about this movie is that Liz did not let her past define her future. She really pursued to make sure
that she makes something out of herself in this life.
4. Comment on the argument that dysfunctional families automatically produce dysfunctional children.
I do not believe that dysfunctional families automatically produce dysfunctional children. I believe that a person’s
character is determined by nature and nurture, with nurture playing a bigger role. Parents play a significant role in the
nature part because of their genetic ties. However, they also play a significant role in the nurture part because of the
environment a child is exposed in the early stages of life. But nurture, being the more important aspect in shaping a
person’s way of life, is not just limited to the parents. It is affected by all the people we get to encounter in our daily lives.
From our neighbors, teachers, friends, classmates, and even the strangers that we pass by everyday, they all shape us.
Liz had a kind neighbor who gave her the encyclopedias which sparked her interest and helped her stay in school. Liz
had friends who let her stay with them when she had nowhere else to go. Our parents, if they failed in their duties, are
not the only source of parental support. For Liz, I can see her teacher as her main support because he had given her the
opportunity to pursue education and her dream. However, a big part of her success was Liz by herself because she
made the right choice. She saw the important of education. She gave all the efforts to finish 4 years of high school in 2
years. Use recycled paper. One page only. Please
Use recycled paper. One page only. Please do no exceed.
