Which tv couples are securely attached?

September 20, 2010 4:18 PM

Examples of secure/insecure attachment relationships in movies/tv?

I'd like to show my students some clips of relationships that exemplify different attachment styles (a la Bowlby/Ainsworth: secure, resistant/ambivalent, avoidant, disorganized). I got the idea when googling, coming across this clip of Carrie and Aidan from SATC.

These could be between a child and caregiver, or two adults in a relationship. Prefer short videos that are freely/easily available online.

posted by supramarginal to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

I have always thought Caroline and Charles Ingalls of Little House on the Prairie tv series as having an ideal marriage though admittedly "old fashioned". The relationship between Charles and "Half-Pint" Laura is also very nurturing and loving. God damn, they were the best family I've ever seen portrayed on television!

There are tons of tribute videos on youtube, this one makes me cry.
posted by loquat at 4:54 PM on September 20, 2010

Seems like Mary Poppins might be a good source. It's been about a thousand years since I've seen the movie but you've got these relationships which have differing attachment styles - Mary & the kids, Mary & Bert, Parents & kids, Parent & Parent. Maybe even something with that damn talking parrot and Mary. It's not exactly short but depending on the ages of your students - they may be familiar with the movie. You could just show clips anyhow.

Another good source of clips might be the movie Now & Then.

Arrested Development also seems full of examples.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 5:32 PM on September 20, 2010

Eric and Tami Taylor from Friday Night Lights.

See Also.
posted by madajb at 5:41 PM on September 20, 2010 [1 favorite]

Everyone Loves Raymond has disturbingly realistic family dynamics.
posted by AlsoMike at 6:43 PM on September 20, 2010

Ooh, attachment theory! I'm posting from my phone so it's hard for me to pick out clips, but I wonder what mileage you could get using the various cast members of Six Feet Under? Using the adult classifications of secure, preoccupied, dismissive, and fearful-avoidant, I would call Keith secure (maybe the only secure one out of all the main characters); David seems preoccupied when alone with Keith although he often acts dismissive around his family; Ruth is pre-occupied for sure; Nate and Nathaniel Sr. are both dismissive (although we get some emotional openness from Nate at times); Brenda seems mostly dismissive, but shades into fearful-avoidant around her horrible mother; Claire swings between dismissive and preoccupied; and Billy swings between preoccupied and fearful-avoidant. I think it's interesting how the characters seem to show different attachment styles depending on who they're relating to. Also notable is the lack of genuinely secure relationships, maybe because there would be nothing for the screenwriters to do?
posted by Dixon Ticonderoga at 8:09 PM on September 20, 2010 [1 favorite]

As much as I just couldn't stay with it, the first season of NBC's Heroes had some great relationship stuff, especially with the telepathic cop and his wife.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 8:11 PM on September 20, 2010

For some reason, I keep thinking about Nick and Nora Charles (of The Thin Man fame), but I can't think of a specific clip to show you...
posted by patheral at 6:54 AM on September 21, 2010