From the very beginning, it's made clear that the one thing Gil wants is to be the opposite of his father. Karen asks hi

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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Parenthood

Kuato_and_George — 14 years ago(October 14, 2011 05:38 PM)

From the very beginning, it's made clear that the one thing Gil wants is to be the opposite of his father. Karen asks him his opinion, and to answer the way his father would (ie without considering her feelings). To do so would go against everything Gil stands for, so he simply says it's her choice and walks off. I don't think it has anything to do with the director's personal stance on the issue, but rather the character's own issues.
Gil quits his job without consulting his wife. That goes directly against what you just described. He's also not shy to offer his input throughout the movie.
I don't even necessarily care what he answer would have been. I just wanted to see one. I was not a fan of the whole cop out approach.
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seanhawke — 14 years ago(November 17, 2011 11:15 PM)

I agree with you OP.
His answer was spineless and it felt like the movie was trying to say that is the
proper
way a man should react in that situation.
Gil was shown to be a family man who took responsibility, yet when faced with a discussion on abortion he suddenly turns into some blubbering mess spouting off, "Your body, your choice!" and offers zero input of his own. It was totally unrealistic.
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MuchToBeGratefulFor — 14 years ago(November 18, 2011 02:26 PM)

I don't know how you get that the movie was saying that this is the proper way a man should react. People to this kind of thing all the time: a character in a movie spouts some anti-Semitic (or whatever) comments, and someone posts saying the movie itself is anti-Semitic, or feel the director must endorse those sentiments, just because they were in a movie. Never mind that it would be realistic in that time and place for that character to make those comments, and the movie is only showing it, not endorsing it.
I also don't agree that Gil's comment was totally unrealistic. Remember, he was just coming home after quitting his job in anger after being passed over for partner. He was stressed and upset before he walked into the house. It was the worst possible time for him to get news of an unplanned pregnancy.
Perhaps on another day, he could have discussed things more rationally, but on THIS day, I find it realistic that he couldn't take one more thing and gave a cop-out answer.
You must be the change you seek in the world. Gandhi

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xcollbabyx — 13 years ago(July 01, 2012 07:43 PM)

Definitely seems like the OP just feels very strongly about his or her view on abortion so you've perhaps taken this scene very personally. I'm female and didn't get the agenda vibe from this scene at all. But, to each their own.
And, if you are female, it's disappointing that the US consistently witnesses political debates over a woman's ultimate right to have an abortion under any circumstance, and you have the nerve to be angered at the fact that someone would leave the decision up to a woman alone.. Are you kidding?
Also, the comparison of 12 jurors deciding a criminal's fate to this decision is far from apples to apples.

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Kuato_and_George — 12 years ago(April 05, 2013 06:30 PM)

Definitely seems like the OP just feels very strongly about his or her view on abortion so you've perhaps taken this scene very personally.
It isn't about my views on abortion and truth-be-told, I don't have a hard-line stance on the issue. I'm not anti-abortion, but I wouldn't say I'm pro-choice either.
It's about the character being a total p-ssy to the point he played the pro-choice card all because he was too much of a coward to take a stance. What kind of husband does that? Putting that much pressure on your spouse and washing your hands of an issue you not only have a right, but an obligation to contribute an opinion on is totally unacceptable. Tell her you think an abortion would be best or that you want her to have the kid, but to refuse to give an answer is cowardly.
And, if you are female, it's disappointing that the US consistently witnesses political debates over a woman's ultimate right to have an abortion under any circumstance, and you have the nerve to be angered at the fact that someone would leave the decision up to a woman alone.. Are you kidding?
F-ck off with this sh!t. People like you are disgust me. You'll gladly not only take, but expect, a man's help with a child, but if he has an opinion over whether you should have the kid or not, you want nothing to do with him. You're a hypocrite.

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