Breakfast Club Character Critique

Breakfast Club Character Critique

The character I have chosen is John Bender (played by Judd Nelson).

Introduction

John Bender (Judd Nelson) as a bad boy bestowed with a heart like gold. His fellows compare him with a two leave clover, hard to find, and lucky to have. He exercised love and care where necessary to his fellows. He knows how to manage between his wisecracking and his real anger originating from his messed up family life. Also, John Bender is known for his great joking techniques. For instance, he harasses Mr. Richard Vernon, who is the supervising teacher by cracking jokes like “Do Barry Manilow know that you raided his wardrobe?”  Besides making jokes with Mr. Richard Vernon, John Bender is also known for his insults to Mr. Richard Vernon, such as “Fuck you!” or “Eat my shorts” after he was assigned two months further in detention for being rude and rogue to Mr. Richard Vernon.  In this movie, The Breakfast Club, there are five other characters. That is John Bender (Judd Nelson), Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall), Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy), and Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald). Each character plays a different role in the movie. For example, there is the princess, the brain, an athlete, a criminal, and the basket case (Nelson, 2019). The characters in the movie represent the classic adolescent prototype in teenagers. Generally, the film is showing the development process of children.

John Bender (Judd Nelson), while in detention he expanded in his repertoire of physical skills adding on those he developed during infancy. He gains greater control over his fellows, he enjoys making fun and cracking jokes without any fear, and he appears independent, healthy and knows how to differentiate between what is wrong and right.  Also, he is demonstrating cognitive development skills by being able to figure out things correctly by developing knowledge and skills, which helped him in tackling his problems and making decisions. John Bender also loved to explore, which is part of cognitive abilities. He occasionally visits the library to improve his academic and development skills, which is also an essential technique for brain development and mastery. Not only does John Bender (Judd Nelson) demonstrate the cognitive and physical development skills, but also he shows socioemotional and multicultural development through his expression and management of emotions. John Bender (Judd Nelson) is skilled in establishing a positive relationship with is fellows, ability to understand emotional states in others, to control his behavior, and coping with stressful and embarrassing situations.

John Bender (Judd Nelson) was placed in detention because he pulled a false fire alarm that interrupted school operations, and when acquired, he answered back rudely. His parents Mr. Bender and Mrs. Bender, were responsible for his detention. Among the five characters in the film, John Bender is the only individual who is aware of himself in terms of characters, reasoning, and decision-making skills.

Physical Development

John Bender demonstrates “normal” physical development and refinement because he can handle tools and materials skill-fully in school and at home. He was detained because he pulled a false fire alarm. Also, he easily scores when playing basket near the gym. His dress code is unique from other students. He has a red bandana in his left shoes, he has sunglasses and a red scarf and wears black gloves. Physical development comprises of growth and the ability to use body parts to perform various skills (Simpkin, 2017). As children develop, their muscles become stronger since they are exposed to multiple activities. Moreover, physical development is linked to good mental health.

John Bender does not fit the expected adolescent physical developmental milestone because he is not able to adapt to new physical activities in the surrounding that requires coordination. For instance, he has no interest in pursuing extracurricular activities in school. Meaning, he is experiencing delays in developmental milestones.

Cognitive Development

In the movie, it seems John Bender (Judd Nelson) is demonstrating “normal” cognitive development by realizing more about himself and the surrounding. Bender learned no place is better to stay. However hard it seems, you have to cope-up with your situation. For instance, he feels sad when Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez) is abused by his father for not competing. Yet, Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez) was not willing to take part in the competition. Later, they both (Andrew Clark and John Bender) bonds together against their parents, hating them for being unfriendly to their wishes, concerns, and not understanding their need as children. Also, their friendship became much stronger when both realized that they had daddy issues. John Bender’s characters originated from his messed up family life. He had been treated poorly such that he thought violence is the only solution to any problem. Parents should foster cognitive development because it is the foundation of success for children. Parents should set their children free and not exposing them to abusive life (Barac, 2014). This will improve decision-making skills, choices, and thoughts. Also, parents should learn to encourage and guide them effectively. This way, they will help them to learn and also reduce hate. Unlike John Bender, who is describing his family as stupid and worthless. He hates his dad so much. This was evident when Andrew Clark asked him to describe his family;

‘My family? Oh, that’s easy, “Stupid, no good and worthless. Son-of-a-bitch! Retarded, you forgot ugly and disrespectful!”

“What about you, Dad?” “Fuck you!” “No, Dad,” though at the beginning of the movie, both Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez) and John Bender appeared to be different worlds apart.

John Bender does not fit the expected adolescent cognitive developmental milestone because he is not able to manage his emotional issues. He is feeling depressed and remorseful about his abusive home life. Also, he cannot think and figure out solutions to his problems.

Social Development

John Bender (Judd Nelson) is demonstrating a “normal” social development by being sincere and showing his influential personalities to Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald). Despite harassing her sexually at some point, he also handled her professionally. This is evidence because John Bender (Judd Nelson) treated Clare Standish with much care and respect different from how he handled other guys. Ladies are delicate creatures and deserve a lot of gentlenesses (Killen, 2014). Therefore, he had no option but to respects her. All get better when Clare Standish hands him her earrings. This was a sign of trust between Clare Standish and John Bender. Even though at the beginning of the film, her interaction with John Bender was not good. Clare Standish lacked patience and couldn’t handle John Bender. This is because John Bender could drive her to tears with his uncouth behaviors, but could then make her happy again by showing some kindness or having some good talks with her. Despite Clare Standish losing her temper for John Bender several times, still, she showed sympathy to him when Mr. Richard Vernon added John Bender seven more weeks in detention.

Clare Standish had realized that John Bender could be trusted and was also an honest guy. Also, being that John Bender was an individual who is open to ideas, who accepts criticism and one who could find the best solution to any problem that surfaced. These few characters of John Bender made it hard for Clare Standish to resist him. She gave him the benefit of the doubt, despite the fact they both came from different social and economic classes. Soon after detention, John Bender managed to win the heart of Clare Standish. This was like an accomplishment to John Bender. Clare Standish was like his dream woman, and by winning her heart, it was nothing but an achievement. Also, it gave John Bender to attain a better understanding of him and others. This boosted his confidence and self-esteem.

John Bender does not fit the expected adolescent social developmental milestone because his social relation skills are extraordinarily poor. Bender enjoys making his uncomfortable for instance he is using Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall) as a target for mockery, he wants to wrestle with Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), he harasses Clare Standish in multiple occasions.

Identity Development

John Bender demonstrates “normal” identity development because his wildness and continuous cracking of jokes is an escape mechanism for stress and a way of dealing with suffering and depressions he is experiencing at home. He feels better and happy in the company of other siblings than with his own family. He is bitter without his parents and questions if he deserves to stay with them. He hates the nature of punishment he is exposed to by his father. He continuously looks at the scar on his arm, which is a cigar burn from his biological father, Mr. Bender, for spilling paint on the floor. This is inhuman and a horrific form of abuse to a child. Teen identity development is promoted by environmental factors such as peers, family, and school (Crocetti, 2017). But when the family and school environment is unconducive, the teen may have low self-esteem.

John Bender demonstrates normal identity development when Mr. Richard Vernon removed him from the company of his fellows and took him in a different location. He shrinks lonely, taking up lesser space and avoiding eye contact with the teacher. This shows that John Bende fears older people who resemble his abusive and authoritative father. Also, this indicates that he loves peace. He tries to avoid anything that can make him remember his past abusive home life. He chose to follow Mr. Richard Vernon’s instructions to prevent further punishment.

John Bender does not fit the expected adolescent identity developmental milestone because he does not know who he is. He still lacks his own identity and self-awareness, taking into consideration how wrongly he treated his fellows. One should treat others how they wish to be treated. But when friends or close associates start to ignore you like John Bender, it is because he was treating them wrongly. Inadequate development of self-awareness is associated with substance abuse and underachievement. John Bender exhibits all these conditions.

Implications for practice

A professional counselor would incorporate the developmental theory and research in their work by analyzing the developmental challenges John Bender experienced. Professional counselors need to examine the challenges finding the origins and the solutions John Bender could take to overcome them. By viewing the trauma and severe abusive life the little teenager was undergoing, counselors will be able to diagnose the problems correctly and accurately for their research work.  Applying the development theory to counseling by professionals will help to examine different stages of development and advice parents and caregivers appropriately (Krumboltz, Foley & Cotter, 2013). In general, professional counselors will focus on researching the past relationships of John Bender, particularly his childhood trauma and abusive home life experiences to his current lifestyle.

In a counseling room, the application of this theory and research should be made in an environment of trust and confidentiality, especially for teenagers or women who are depressed or have been abused. Also, the counselors should stimulate discussion to set the individuals being counseled free to share their ideas. Besides stimulating discussing, the counselor should also show empathy towards his client, have a warm acceptance, and be genuine with the client (Gysbers, Heppner & Johnston, 2009). It is also essential for counselors to put themselves in the situation of their clients during the discussions. This is by showing deeper feelings to their clients.

Resilience

The Definition of resiliency based on the text, and my research is the ability to adjust or withstand misfortune or changes in the environment (Prince, 2017). John Bender was able to withstand his abusive home life. He was hiding under jokes and bullied behaviors into forgetting all he was experiencing at home.

The factors that suggest John Bender has a high, medium or low level of resiliency are individual factors, family and social support factors, school factors, toughness and commitment, achievement orientation, and confidence.

Toughness and Commitment

Despite having an abusive home life, John Bender committed and tough in managing his problems. Toughness relates to being active and withstanding any nature of abuse. He did not choose suicide as a solution to his issues like his friend. Resilient characters are invariably committed to overcoming challenges that befell their way. Resilient people not only endure hardships and depression, but they also remain stable in the face of adversity.

Achievement Orientation

Achievement and success open many doors. John Bender is a classic (A) asshole, student. At the beginning of the film, he has a strong drive for success. But, all are not well for him because of diverted attention and the abusive home life. His alcoholic father made home unsafe for him, and nobody bothered to check if he is okay. At school, he had a similar problem with Mr. Richard Vernon, who appeared abusive like his father. Articulating positive support to teenagers constitutes a critical resilience building factor to them. Teenagers perceive school as a key to the realization of their future goals. Therefore, a supportive role is essential and should not be underestimated.

Confidence

John Bender shows a strong sense of confidence and high expectations in his family. He has faith that things could be better. In self-evaluation, John Bender is way much ahead of his fellows. Sometimes he reasoned wisely and made better decisions. Confident people are aware of their strengths and can control whoever things happening to them (Reed, 2017). Confidence is the measure of resiliency because confidence allows an individual to withstand hardships without having evil thoughts or suicidal attempts. Also, confident teenagers tend to have a successful and satisfying academic and social life, unlike less confident teenagers. Parents should accept responsibility and demonstrate love and care to their siblings to build on their confidence.

Individual Factors

Individual characteristics such as temperament, emotions, social and cognitive skills, and self-esteem and efficiency are some of the different factors used in evaluating resiliency. In the context of resilience, feelings, and temperament are associated with a profound understanding of teenagers in internalizing problems. John Bender is very aggressive, gets angered easily, and hates authority.

Family and Social Factors

Parents’ and caregivers’ relationship with a teenager is very significant for their development. For instance, teenagers who are loved and supported by their parents are associated with lower health risk behaviors. John Bender, raised in an abusive family, exhibit bully behaviors such as, physically tormenting his fellows, he appears aggressive and mean, and sometimes he hits and shoves his fellows. Better parenting is very significant in differentiating resilient teenagers from those experiencing violence in their families (Reed, 2017). Social support from friends, family, and teachers is essential to children living in abusive societies, homes, or environments. Therefore, a social relationship is one of the factors steering resilience. Also, caring and supportive families help teenagers to overcome the problems they are facing since they can share with others.

School Factors

The school environment is essential in evaluating resiliency and, more specifically, the teacher relationship with the students. Children having a good relationship with teachers are always above average when compared to children with a poor relationship with teachers. John Bender is the best example, a grade (A) asshole student from a middle-class family, but had a poor relationship with his teachers.

The social and behavioral change that could help the character become more resilient is through an improved relationship with parents (Saltzman, 2013). If Mr. Bender shows love and care to his son, he will have a notion that home is a better place. Love will drive away bitterness and hatred his son has towards him. Building a stronger relationship with his son will establish a better foundation for the development and management of emotional skills. As John Bender matures, his inferences on what other people feel affect both the current situational information and past historical experiences.

The second social and behavioral change that could help the character become more resilient is through emotional competence and positive development. Competent teenagers are equipped with favorable environmental and individual characteristics that help them to cope with any situation in their life. Also, skill on emotional competence is one of the best assets helping teenagers to tackle various challenges. Therefore, it is vital for teenagers to master skills related to emotional management.

Lastly, the social and behavioral change that could help the character become more resilient is by being open to new experiences. People who are always open to new experiences tend to be distinctive and unconventional to ideas that might affect their emotions. Also, they are likely to have knowledge and skills on how to deal with their daily predicaments.

Resilience for Minorities

The research suggests that the critical factors of resilience for a minority teenager would be racism, discrimination, and prejudice, for instance, the African American teenager.

Do They Differ From Resilience Factors For White Teens?

Yes.

In What Way,

They differ in that resilience factors for minority teenagers are mostly associated with adverse outcomes. Minority teenagers face challenges that are complex and compromises their relationship and health conditions (Masten, 2014).  Minority teenagers may not be accepted anywhere because of their color, or transgender.  Unlike the majority of white teens who may only have problems with parents only.

Personal Reflection on Adolescence

The Summary of my Adolescent Development

Development theories will focus on how I have grown from childhood in relation to the physical, cognitive, social, and identity developmental stages. Some of the opinions I will cover are Freud’s psychosexual developmental theory, Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory, Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory, Bowlby’s attachment.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Developmental Theory

Erikson’s theory is based on growth and changes throughout the entire life of an individual, focusing on social life and conflict management skills (Adler, 2012). I have experienced developmental conflicts several times. I get too emotional with little things. I prefer staying in the library than going to games. Body exercise and co-curriculum activities are a challenge for me because I’m adopting them at the youth stage. Also, on trust and mistrust, in my early childhood, I depended wholly on my parents for needs like food, medical care, and comfort. If anyone could meet these needs, I could be attached to them. Otherwise, I could feel insecure with individuals I don’t trust. Besides trust and mistrust, I also developed shame and doubts about some issues. I realized it is a total shame to stay naked in the presence of anyone. I learned how to use restrooms and how to dress.

Piaget’s Cognitive Developmental Theory

Piaget’s theory is based on individual thoughts and decisions. Piaget’s cognitive idea has helped in understanding the development of views from childhood and the influence it has on our surroundings. My thoughts about people do influence how I interact with them. I fear sharing issues with individuals who I don’t trust. Piaget believes cognitive and physical development follows natural order for progression in developing thoughts and ideas. Piaget has four stages of development. The sensorimotor stage in which I had limited knowledge and my behaviors were controlled by a sensory. The second is the preoperational stage, which I could manipulate any information or know people’s points of view. Then, the concrete operational phase which I had developed little understanding though I had difficulty in mastering theoretical concepts. Lastly is the formal operational stage in which I had developed a good memory. I had better reasoning skills and logical thoughts.

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

Bowlby believes that people are born with innate needs for attachments (Schore, 2013). Also, Bowlby suggests that caregivers play a crucial role in influencing infant relationships with others throughout their lifetime. I’m explicitly attached to my mother because she was my primary caregiver. She consistently gave me support and care, which improved the bond and attachment between her and me. Infants who are given less reliable care systems have ambivalent and disorganized lifestyles. They appear rude, they are easily angered and also they never happy.

Freud’s Psychosexual Developmental Theory

Freud’s discovered that childhood experiences have a lifelong influence on one’s behavior and personality. Having completed developmental stages successfully, some of my childhood experiences are still intact. Though, my characters do change with the nature of the environment and people I  meet.

Conclusion

In summary, this paper has covered the physical, cognitive, social, and identity development of John Bender. Also, this study has outlined how John Bender demonstrates normal physical, cognitive, social, and identity development skills and how he does not fit the expected adolescent development milestones. Being detained for pulling a fire alarm, he meets new teenagers, all detained for different reasons. Later, they learn they share much in common. Also, this study has covered the implication practice on how a professional counselor can use the development theory for research in relation to John Bender’s characters. Besides implication practice, this study has defined resilience as the ability to adjust or withstand misfortune or changes in the environment. Connectively, the study has considered an additional character of color. That is the African-American student. Also, I have analyzed my reflection on adolescence using developmental theories.

My overall reaction to the assignment is that I feel this is a valuable study. It has allowed me to grasp of stages of development from childhood. Also, I have gained various skills like critical thinking, elaboration, and creativity from this assignment because it involves analyzing a character from a film. Connectively, I internalized questions like, what is the purpose of the assignment? What does the lecturer want from the assignment?.

What I learned about myself and life span development through this assignment is that children learn faster during the early stages of development. They also need love, trust, and good parental care for proper growth.

References

Adler-Tapia, R. (2012). Child psychotherapy: Integrating developmental theory into clinical practice. Springer Publishing Company.

Barac, R., Bialystok, E., Castro, D. C., & Sanchez, M. (2014). The cognitive development of young dual language learners: A critical review. Early childhood research quarterly, 29(4), 699-714.

Crocetti, E. (2017). Identity formation in adolescence: The dynamic of forming and consolidating identity commitments. Child Development Perspectives, 11(2), 145-150.

Gysbers, N. C., Heppner, M. J., & Johnston, J. A. (2009). Career counseling: Contexts, processes, and techniques. American Counseling Association.

Killen, M. (2014). Social and moral development in early childhood. In Handbook of ethical behavior and development (pp. 137-160). Psychology Press.

Krumboltz, J. D., Foley, P. F., & Cotter, E. W. (2013). Applying the happenstance learning theory to involuntary career transitions. The Career Development Quarterly, 61(1), 15-26.

Masten, A. S. (2014). Global perspectives on resilience in children and youth. Child Development, 85(1), 6-20.

Nelson, E. H. (2019). The Breakfast Club: John Hughes, Hollywood, and the Golden Age of the Teen Film. Routledge.

Prince-Embury, S., Saklofske, D. H., & Nordstokke, D. W. (2017). The resiliency scale for young adults. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 35(3), 276-290.

Reed, R. (2017). The Poor/Working-Class College Students’ Challenges and Resiliency Factors Scale: Developing the P/W-CRF (Doctoral dissertation, Columbia University).

Simpkin, A. J., Howe, L. D., Tilling, K., Gaunt, T. R., Lyttleton, O., McArdle, W. L., … & Relton, C. L. (2017). The epigenetic clock and physical development during childhood and adolescence: longitudinal analysis from a UK birth cohort. International journal of epidemiology, 46(2), 549-558.

Schore, A. N. (2013). Bowlby’s” environment of evolutionary adaptedness”: Recent studies on the interpersonal neurobiology

Saltzman, W. R., Pynoos, R. S., Lester, P., Layne, C. M., & Beardslee, W. R. (2013). Enhancing family resilience through family narrative co-construction. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 16(3), 294-310.