'Kramer vs. Kramer' is one of my favorite films, where you have

When Taylor Sheridan declared: “‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ is one of my favorite films, where you have a story that really juxtaposes a lot of ideas that we have about family and about parenting,” he invoked a tale that pierces to the heart of the human struggle. The film he references is not simply a story of a divorce; it is a story of love, responsibility, sacrifice, and the reshaping of what it means to be a family. His words remind us that parenting and family are not fixed in form, but living realities that are tested, broken, and reforged by the fires of life.

The origin of this wisdom lies in the film itself, Kramer vs. Kramer, released in 1979, which shocked audiences with its honest portrayal of a father learning to parent alone after his wife leaves. It challenged the long-held belief that mothers are naturally the central figures of parenting, showing instead a father who, through struggle and growth, learns the sacredness of raising his child. Sheridan admires the juxtaposition within the story — the clash between societal expectations and lived experience, between the ideals of family and the reality of love expressed through sacrifice.

History too provides mirrors of this theme. Consider Marcus Furius Camillus, the Roman general who was called “the Second Founder of Rome.” Though known for his victories, he is also remembered for resigning power at times to protect his household’s dignity. Like the father in Kramer vs. Kramer, he chose to balance the demands of society with the needs of his family. Or think of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, who raised a child not his own by blood. He too defied the assumptions of his time, taking on the mantle of fatherhood when society would have urged him to cast it off. In every age, we see men and women forced to redefine family and parenting in ways that challenge tradition.

The emotional power of Sheridan’s quote comes from its honesty: that family is not always what culture says it should be. Families are tested by betrayal, by failure, by separation. And yet, parenting persists. The bond between child and parent is not erased by imperfection; it is often strengthened by the storm. Kramer vs. Kramer captures this, showing that even in the midst of conflict, the love of a parent can shine forth, transforming weakness into strength, and selfishness into devotion.

There is also a heroic truth hidden here: that the role of parent is not tied to perfection, but to perseverance. The father in the film does not begin as a model of wisdom or patience. He is flawed, distracted, consumed by work. Yet, when the burden falls upon him, he rises. He learns to cook breakfast, to soothe tears, to sacrifice for his child. This is the heart of parenting: not flawless performance, but the willingness to grow, to change, and to put the needs of the child above one’s own desires.

The lesson for us is clear: do not cling to rigid notions of what family must look like, nor judge others by narrow standards. Families are diverse, messy, imperfect, and yet sacred. Parenting is not about meeting an ideal of comfort, but about giving love, respect, and preparation for life. Whether one is a mother or a father, whether in a traditional home or a broken one, the essence remains the same: to rise, to grow, and to give.

Practical actions must follow: parents should not be afraid to admit their flaws, nor ashamed of their struggles. Instead, they must embrace growth, as the father in Kramer vs. Kramer did. Families must support one another without judgment, recognizing that love takes many forms. And society itself must broaden its understanding of what makes a family, honoring devotion and sacrifice wherever they appear.

So let Taylor Sheridan’s words be remembered as ancient wisdom in modern clothing: family and parenting are not fixed statues, but living fires. They burn in many forms, sometimes in hardship, sometimes in triumph, always refining those who hold them. Do not measure family by perfection, but by love. Do not measure parenting by ease, but by sacrifice. For it is in the struggle that the true heart of both is revealed.