Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Dione-Marianne Brigola

Drama

Movie

Parental Guidance

High school seniors, college students, parents of college students

College, Relationships, Sexuality

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants follows childhood girlfriends Lena, Tibby, Bridget and Carmen, as they go off to different colleges. Lena enters a new relationship after her first true love breaks her heart. Tibby takes her relationship to the next level and must deal with the consequences. Carmen enrolls in a theater camp and finds herself in the spotlight for the first time, not where she originally wanted to be. Finally, Bridget is in Turkey for an archeology dig trying to outrun her past. All four girls face the challenges of being on their own. Although they have always leaned on each other, they are slowly seeing their friendships change as they grow into their own individuals.

 

This movie portrays how the four girls move through the vectors of Chickering's theory of student development. For example, Lena and Tibby are both struggling to develop mature interpersonal relationships. At theater camp, Carmen begins to establish her identity and develop her purpose. Bridget, meanwhile, also is learning to accept herself and establish her own identity. Throughout the film, the girls work towards autonomy but continue to see the need for interdependence and healthy emotional skills. The complex and difficult issues each girl faces are emotionally poignant, and when viewed through the lenses of Chickering’s theory, can provide counselors with a better understanding of the different vectors. The girls’ changing friendships and the challenges they face can provoke discussion among clients who view the film, particularly adolescents about to enter college themselves.