I heard ppl talking shit about Turning Red, that it âunlike Encanto, didnât do a good job of explaining about the family/generational traumaâ. Well LET ME EXPLAIN THIS IN ASIAN AMERICANâS PERSPECTIVE.
As East Asian, I cried like a bitch in this scene. This three images were the perfect representation of how Asian family deals with trauma. If you donât know, seeking counseling/therapy is basically frown upon in Asian culture. It doesnât matter what it is, ppl will think you are a looney.
(Btw, in Korea when you go to a therapist THIS SHIT IS NOT PRIVATE. this will be on you PERMANENT RECORD as if you are some kind of fucking criminal. If you seek out therapy, EVEN A BLOODY SCHOOL COUNSELOR DURING MIDDLE SCHOOL, this will jeopardize you getting a jJOB/CAREER. Because no company will hire you!!!). I suffer from Long term stress disorder and my doctors recommended that i see a therapist. on my first therapy session, during ride back home, my mother flat out told me that she didnât believe in therapy. and told me that EVERYONE HAS A BURDEN TO CARRY AND WE DO IT IN SILENCE AND STEADFASTNESS.
Sounds harsh right? But to the older generation, this is honorable act. to bare, and suffer for the family is something to be honored.
No matter how destructive it can beâŠâŠ
Many older generation Asian/parents carry this. they bare all the weight and donât tell a soul the suffering they had to endure.Â
So what happens WHEN they canât bare it longer?
chances are, the oldest child of the family plays therapist.Â
because the parents (ESPECIALLY THE MOTHER) has no one to lean on regarding such matter. They rather take their trauma to their graves then tell non-family members or a worst a STRANGER (therapist)
I am the oldest child of my family, I was my motherâs supporter, helper, her confidant and listener. I comforted her and listened to all the horrid, heart breaking trauma she suffered. She was also the oldest child of her family and she bared all the weight of the family. the difference between my mother and i, is that i grew up in west. i was told that speaking out my feeling/mental health is critical and important. and i seek out help when i wasnât okay. meanwhile generations had taught my mother that seeking therapy is shameful.
so, us, the kids, who learned of emotional support and health, leads our parents out from the trauma.
just like how Mei is doing in this scene.
so yeah, this movie doesnât tell trauma like Encanto. but thatâs the point, every nation/generation have different way to deal with trauma. and turning red perfectly represented how west born/raised Asian kids deals with family trauma.Â
This movie isnât encanto, itâs turning Red. And I think thatâs beautiful on its own.