Ranbir Kapoor’s new film “Animal” is getting attention not only for its box office success but also because of a character with what reviewers call “daddy issues.”
This concept has been brought up by the movie directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga making it known in popular culture and how it affects people.
The term ‘daddy issues’ is commonly used in informal contexts without any clinical basis. It refers to a complicated association between an individual, typically either male or female, and their biological father or someone who acts as one.
While it may not be officially recognized as a psychological condition, it represents emotional struggles arising from an absent, abusive or troubled relationship with one’s dad or father figure.
According to Bree Haizlip – licensed mental health counselor and family relationship expert – “daddy issues” are psychological battles resulting from difficult paternal figures.
These individuals might find themselves struggling to manage other relationships while constantly seeking validation/approval from others.
However, psychologists argue that “daddy issues” are not exclusive to women despite being predominantly associated with them in cultural references.
Both men and women can be affected by an unstable or missing dad figure which can influence how they relate with others as adults or perceive themselves.
Sigmund Freud originally introduced the Father Complex concept which emphasized the influence of male upbringing by fathers on their adult relationships.
This implies that what happens during their early ages may shape the way they behave and interact with others in future.
Nevertheless, “Daddy Issues” has changed its meaning over time. Today, it mainly refers to women who are looking for men that are dominant or have masculine characteristics as it has a broader sense in the society.
Such change in meaning points out that there is a relationship between how a girl had been brought up by her father or stepfather and what she expects from her partner in terms of certain attributes.
Critics have pointed out that using the term daddy issues may minimize attachment needs among females while overlooking its prevalence among males too.
Instances such as these make experts assert that even men might struggle with similar problems due to having unreliable father figures thus leading into insecurity when it comes to romance or dealing with authority figures.
In popular culture, daddy issues have become recurring themes across various forms of entertainment ranging from literature to music and movies.
For example, “Animal” film as well as some of Ranbir Kapoor’s earlier works like “Wake Up Sid,” “Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani,” “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,” and “Sanju” depict individuals coping with such difficulties.
The fact that daddy issues are widely depicted in pop culture shows how much common this problem is among people telling stories through different mediums.
It resonates through several narratives like Sylvia Plath’s poem Daddy, Lana Del Ray song “Daddy Issues” or movies like Blonde, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Udaan or Taare Zameen Par.
For instance, Ranbir Kapoor has been known for playing characters who have recurring daddy issues in many of his films including Animal once again.
This pattern in his roles emphasizes its importance as a thematic element within contemporary cinema.
However, experts warn against oversimplifying media portrayals about daddy issues which might be harmful too.
They argue that it should be recognized as an entrenched problem needing attention even if sometimes it requires professional intervention.
The conversations around Animal and its portrayal of daddy issues act as starting points towards better understanding complicated parent-child relationships effects on individuals over time.
This movie encourages discussions about psychological impacts concerning family dynamics upon personal growth along with other similar ones exploring similar themes.
