Everybody Loves Raymond, Essay Example

In the video clip from the television series ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ the teacher is discussing young children interacting with parents. Debra asks about their six-year-old daughter who is ‘having trouble listening.’ Raymond dismisses this as ‘every kid.’ The teacher recommends ‘active listening,’ which is described as encouraging the child to express herself verbally without influencing her with other opinions and preconceived notions. The teacher suggests a role play with Raymond, in a hypothetical situation where the daughter refuses to go to her grandmother’s house for her birthday. The teacher is intentionally argumentative in role-playing the daughter, attempting to express her opinions in a stubborn manner. She says ‘I hate when you make me do things.’ It is suggested that Ray respond by acknowledging her approach, for instance by saying ‘you feel you don’t have control over our plans.’ The role play continues with another assertion that all her friends are going to the park, making the comparison between a boring party and play. Ray attempts to actively listen and interpret by reflecting, ‘you think the party is going to be boring?’ This is known as ‘reflecting feelings back.’ Ray attempts to produce a positive, because grandma has a type of food his daughter likes, although this could be seen as bribery rather than understanding. The teacher, in role playing, continually asks ‘but why?’ until Ray simply says, ‘because I said so!’ and threatens no more television or even going to boarding school. The teacher is surprised and asks whether Ray always threatens his child. The teacher asks them to stay after class, clearly disappointed with the outcome. The video clip is effective in portraying the teacher’s aim of promoting ‘active listening’ between parents and children. It is clear when viewing it that the process of active listening is understanding the view of the child, and reflecting with the child on why they have formed this view, without imposing another opinion before the child’s view is discussed.

Reference

YouTube Video Clip. ‘Older Version –Active Listening Clip’. Uploaded 5 Octobert 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP55nA8fQ9I&feature=youtu.be (accessed 12 November 2015)