I sort of felt that the parents were portrayed as jerks in the movie; especially when they found out about the extent of the abuse Steven had to endure. I've always wondered whether they gave him the help and support he needed needed; or if they really were rather thickheaded about it all...
Fleur: "I'm beautiful enough for the both of us!"
in what way were the jerks?
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Unbelievably, Steven never received any kind of counseling after his ordeal. I read that this was because his father didn't think Steven needed it - you can judge the reason for yourself, but it is factual that he received NO counseling.
shareWhat does that have to do with anything? People forget that back in those days counseling wasn't as common as it is now.Things were ofren dealt with within the confines of the family for many things.
Besides you didn't know him or his family so I'm not sure what your point is.
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It is true, back then, counseling was not viewed as needed, even in cases of child abuse. I read in a few articles that the reason Parnell got less time is because they were trying to shelter Steven from testifying so he could get on with life. I think it's easier for family members and friends of abuse survivors to want to move on and not talk about it, when healing needs to focus on what the victim needs, most of the time talking helps a great deal. I read as well there was also a stigma as some viewed at 14 he should have been able to fight or not partake in that as it was wrongly viewed as homosexual acts. I forgot where I read this but it kind of goes with how his parents, especially his father, was portrayed in the movie.
I am not judging his parents what so ever, no one could know what it is like unless they were in their shoes. Out of tragedy came two beautiful children, you can see his daughter's myspace page. It seemed both his son and daughter are in the Airforce.
It is a funny thing about Del and Kay. I think they went through a lot so I feel sorry for them. Look at what has happened:
1. Steven is kidnapped in 1972 and is missing for 7 years.
2. Steven drops out of school and impregnates his girlfriend. Fortunately, they marry.
3. Steven is killed in 1989 in a motorcycle accident.
4. Cary a decade later turns out to be a criminal like Parnell.
It is amazing they didn't commit suicide.
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The parents were uneducated white trash who had no business reproducing.
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