Hostility to children and other Fooby delights....

One thing I've noticed over the years is that the Pattersons display an active antipathy to the wants and needs of children. First up, we have Elly and her loathsome temper fits. I could see her getting upset about her children doing something anti-social but she, as we all know, hauled out the big guns over triviality, as is her wont. They could have killed someone and she'd have stood there, paralyzed with indecision. If they'd've left a ring on the coffee table, however, they were in for a solid hour of screeching. Hostility doesn't have to loud to be damaging, though. John anmd Mike's quiet anger will leave long-lasting effects on their children. Remember the cross-country trip they took years ago? There was plenty of time to do all the things the Stupid Train Shitwad and Lady Flapandsnort wanted but when Liz and April saw something THEY might have enjoyed, Mister and Missus Jackoff had to make up precious time. They couldn't waste it lowering themselves to doing what children wanted, after all. Gotta show'em who's boss, y'see. If they still don't get the point, gotta ship'em to the farm and adjust that attitude. Mike may not have a farm he can ship HIS kids to but his refusal to consort with his children unless it's fun comes from the same hateful place as his parent's desire to exile children who won't meet some arbitrary and insane standard of behavior. The effect is to produce spineless dolts who can't live independently and needs must have Mommy and Daddy around to fix things, not to mention be pathetically grateful to them.