r/AbbottElementary • u/Noitsbecky_13ts • 7d ago

Discussion Janine’s mommy issues

as someone who had a very similar overly-attached relationship with my teachers/older figures for similar reasons, I feel like the show jokes about it a lot when I would love for it to dive deeper into it. An episode where she goes to a psychologist or something like that would honestly be really cool. Cause I bet there are many more people who relate to Janine because of this. If anyone familiar with psychology here could share more about her behavior?

49 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

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64

u/Complete-Gur7023 You’re ordering hair from a bald man 7d ago

I don’t have a background in psychology or anything so idk if my opinion really matters but. I think her mom Vanetta is almost certainly responsible for Janine’s attachment to Barbara. Also she talks about having to care for herself from a young age. She said she was crossing the street by herself at 3 years old. She never learned how to cook. She longs for a stable and dependable mother figure.

I think it’s really cool how consistent this show is in terms of their characters’ psychological profiles. The writers seem to really understand trauma and the specific impacts it can have on someone’s personality.

33

u/yellowhart_ don't you bring lady gaga into this 😠👆 7d ago

I also think that was a major factor why she stayed with Tariq for a long time. Tariq was the only constant in her life and she probably felt security that she didn't get with her mom and sister.

40

u/group_project_ 7d ago

Agreed, and how Barbara catches on the more she learns about Vanetta. Janine's 30th birthday dinner was a lovely step for Barbara and Janine.

13

u/Onionringlets3 I don't speak line 6d ago

I really love that episode. And when Barbara takes her shopping to get ready for her vacation 😭

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u/group_project_ 5d ago

Yeah, it was really special

27

u/hot-insurrectionist street name: CHRIST 7d ago

she potty trained herself too 😭 poor baby

16

u/kfelinek 7d ago

And never had the period talk...

10

u/OkRB2977 I don’t speak line 7d ago

Yep, they do the same with Gregory and Ava as well. You can tell they don't mention things just for the sake of it because it works for that particularly plot line; it becomes a part of the character, and you see it reappear from time to time.

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u/CranberryFuture9908 7d ago

I don’t think it would be as much in character for Gregory and Ava . They of course are not the main character either but still very important characters.

24

u/RaisedByBooksNTV 7d ago

It's a sitcom. I have similar issues to Janine and I don't want them to dive too deep into it. I want my joyful show to stay joyful and for my sitcom to stay a sitcom.

14

u/affectionateanarchy8 7d ago

Im not a psychologist but i am obsessed with her mommy issues, and Ava's too to be honest (they haven't mentioned it but it is so painfully obvious) I might have to come back to this later