Romeo and Juliet- Adolescent Behavior:
2008. 7-year-old Shalakha was told “No.” by her mom when she begged for more Hershey's milk chocolate. This did not make Shalakha happy. After this, for her to even be on talking terms with her mom, she needed to understand why the answer was “No”; she needed a solid, logical explanation. Explanations help adolescents understand the reasoning behind restrictions set by parents. Without explanations, adolescents tend to lose their respect toward the authoritative figure and more likely to rebel against the restrainment of the figure. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet blatantly disobey their parents commands. Throughout the book, it can be seen that Romeo and Juliet’s …show more content…
The play Romeo and Juliet has an ongoing issue of two adolescents in a forbidden love. When Capulet comes to tell Juliet that she is to be wed to Paris, Juliet immediately declines. Capulet then states that “But fettle your fine joints ‘gainst Thursday next To go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither” (3.5.158-160). In a research study led by Glen H. Elder, it is exhibited that when parents use legitimate power with their children, the child is more likely to follow the instructions set by their parents (Elder), but it is easy to see that when Capulet informs Juliet of her engagement, he is using the complete opposite of legitimate power; coercive power. Capulet gave no justification as to why Juliet is being forced to marry Paris. Similarly, in present day many parents exhibit coercive power rather than legitimate power, driving adolescents to do exactly the opposite of what had been told to them, just like Juliet refusing to marry Paris. Contrary to Lord Capulet’s ways, Lord Montague uses neither legitimate power nor coercive power. Instead, Romeo’s parents use a permissive approach. Throughout the book, it is very obvious that Romeo’s parents weren’t very involved in Romeo’s life, as Juliet’s parents were. Montague speaks of Romeo as such: “But to himself so secret and so close,” (1.1.152). Montague clearly does not know much about his son. In his article, Elder states that “The adolescent has more influence in making decisions that concern him than does his parents. The laissez-faire and ignoring type of interdependence are included in this level” (Elder). Montague and Lady Montague demonstrate the permissive level of power throughout the play, by almost never being present. Though Romeo was in
2008. 7-year-old Shalakha was told “No.” by her mom when she begged for more Hershey's milk chocolate. This did not make Shalakha happy. After this, for her to even be on talking terms with her mom, she needed to understand why the answer was “No”; she needed a solid, logical explanation. Explanations help adolescents understand the reasoning behind restrictions set by parents. Without explanations, adolescents tend to lose their respect toward the authoritative figure and more likely to rebel against the restrainment of the figure. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet blatantly disobey their parents commands. Throughout the book, it can be seen that Romeo and Juliet’s …show more content…
The play Romeo and Juliet has an ongoing issue of two adolescents in a forbidden love. When Capulet comes to tell Juliet that she is to be wed to Paris, Juliet immediately declines. Capulet then states that “But fettle your fine joints ‘gainst Thursday next To go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither” (3.5.158-160). In a research study led by Glen H. Elder, it is exhibited that when parents use legitimate power with their children, the child is more likely to follow the instructions set by their parents (Elder), but it is easy to see that when Capulet informs Juliet of her engagement, he is using the complete opposite of legitimate power; coercive power. Capulet gave no justification as to why Juliet is being forced to marry Paris. Similarly, in present day many parents exhibit coercive power rather than legitimate power, driving adolescents to do exactly the opposite of what had been told to them, just like Juliet refusing to marry Paris. Contrary to Lord Capulet’s ways, Lord Montague uses neither legitimate power nor coercive power. Instead, Romeo’s parents use a permissive approach. Throughout the book, it is very obvious that Romeo’s parents weren’t very involved in Romeo’s life, as Juliet’s parents were. Montague speaks of Romeo as such: “But to himself so secret and so close,” (1.1.152). Montague clearly does not know much about his son. In his article, Elder states that “The adolescent has more influence in making decisions that concern him than does his parents. The laissez-faire and ignoring type of interdependence are included in this level” (Elder). Montague and Lady Montague demonstrate the permissive level of power throughout the play, by almost never being present. Though Romeo was in