Emma Bird Kramer vs. Kramer Period 9

What did you think of the job that Ted did taking care of Billy by himself? In the movie Kramer vs. Kramer, Joanna leaves Ted and Billy alone. Ted is forced to take care of his son all by himself, and he does phenomenal job. At the beginning of the movie Ted is extremely focused on his job and pays little attention to his son, Billy. When he first starts taking care of Billy he tries to do it and work as hard as he used to, but he soon realizes he can’t do that. Ted gives up what he has worked so hard for, for his son. Every morning Ted and Billy eat breakfast together, then Ted walks Billy to school, after school he picks Billy up, they talk, they have dinner, and Ted reads Billy a bedtime story. One of the most important things a parent can do for their child is show that they care. Ted listens to everything Billy has to say and when he can’t listen anymore he pretends to listen. Ted gives Billy everything a child could possibly need. He plays the role of mother and father. 

Does Joanna Kramer deserve custody of her son? Generally during divorces Mothers get custody of children, but in this case I do not think Joanna Kramer deserves custody of her son. I understand that Joanna was very unhappy and needed to “find” herself again. But I do not think that justifies her leaving her son. I don’t doubt that she loves her son, but when her son really needed someone it was his father who was there. Taking off for months with little contact is not a responsible thing to do and a parents needs to responsible. Both Joanna and Ted love Billy very much but that isn’t the question. The question is whether or not Joanna deserves custody, and in my opinion she does not. Joanna left her son all alone and her husband stepped up and took care of Billy when Joanna wouldn’t. If Joanna didn’t just abandon her family and the divorce played out differently then maybe she could deserve custody. But based on the fact that she left them, she does not deserve custody.