Myth and Reality: Analyzing Parenting Styles through Material Culture in Leo Movie Using Barthes' Semiotics

Abstract

This study analyses the representation of parenting styles in the film Leo (2023) and reveals how an animal character, a chameleon named Leo, becomes an alternative parenting symbol that challenges traditional myths. This research is a qualitive approach and Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory to examines the denotative, connotative, and myth meanings of key scene that portrays interactions between parents and children, as well as between the children and Leo. The film presents three types of unbalanced parenting styles: neglectful, authoritarian, and permissive, represented respectively by the families of Summer, Eli, and Jayda. These imbalances give rise to various emotional issues. In the absence of emotional support from their parents, Leo emerges as a non-human figure who listens, understands, and guides the children with empathy. This leads to a new myth that pets or non-human beings may serve as substitute figures who care more deeply than human. Leo dose not merely advice, he creates space for dialogue that helps children recognize their emotions, build social relationship, and accept themselves as they are. These finding highlight the importance of balancing parenting, which combines healthy boundaries, emotional attentiveness, and freedom of expression. Thus, Leo (2023) serves as a cultural reflection that raises awareness of the need for balanced parenting and presence of figure who genuinely understand a child’s emotional need.