The fourth season finale of “Parenthood” ended on a very positive note last week. Amber and Ryan got back together, Christina’s cancer went into remission, a new baby is on the way, Drew got into his dream college and Victor legally became a Braverman. However, one blogger is so concerned about how the show wrapped up the adoption storyline that she announced an online petition to the producers at Our Life Upstate on Jan. 29.
Edna Cohen knows firsthand the difficulties involved in raising an adopted child. The trauma of abuse, neglect, instability and adoption itself causes deep scars which often lead to emotional, mental health and behavior problems. Cohen has blogged about her family’s journey with trauma and attachment disorder and is now using her blog to reach out to the writers of “Parenthood.”
Edna isn’t the first adoptive mother to express her concerns about how the show portrayed Victor’s adoption. Mothers praised the show for realistically tackling the challenges of older child adoption throughout the season while worrying that it would be tied up in a neat little bow in the end. Unfortunately, those fears seem to have come true – at least for now.
The future of “Parenthood” is still up in the air. The writers and producers clearly wanted to end on a happy note in case they aren’t picked up for season five. Cohen understands that, but is urging the writers and producers to continue showing the difficult feelings and situations that often occur when growing a family through foster care or adoption if the show does return.
Edna wrote,
“Attachment issues are a very hush, hush, don't talk about it kind of thing. Parents who are willing to discuss them are often shunned. The world dismisses the issue itself more often than not. Your show can help rid us of that stigma. It can create a level of understanding and acceptance that little else can. “
If you’d like to see “Parenthood” give a voice to the thousands of families living with issues caused by trauma and attachment disorder through Joel, Julia, Sydney, Victor and the whole Braverman clan take a minute to sign the petition at www.change.org.
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