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The case was controversial because both sides had some good reasoning however in my opinion, the ruling of sole custody being given to Joanna was unjust because Ted put more effort into raising Billy and was constantly thinking about what was best for him. He had a job and a home that Billy was used to. Joanna does love Billy, this is shown at the beginning in a heartbreaking scene of her putting him to bed but by leaving so suddenly being so willing to abandon him, she proved herself to be unreliable in comparison to Ted.

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The movie is filmed in a way to make the audience sympathize for Ted and shed light on the struggles of divorce and being a single parent fighting for custody. Joanna is only in the picture in the beginning and more toward the end. The 18 months in between Joanna leaving and coming back, we see Ted and Billy form a beautiful, loving relationship by Ted adapting to being a real parent. Had the movie shown more of Joanna's side and her own story away from Ted and Billy, it could have a completely different impact on the view or opinions of the audience.

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Joanna struggles with the stereotype that women are meant to raise the children, while men go to work. Ted does not see this and does not understand her point of view. She leaves for her own happiness because she wants to do something more with herself, like have a job or career.

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Ted adapts to being a single, full-time parent to Billy. He tries is absolute best and does whatever he can, including downgrading his job status after being fired because of how occupied he is from raising Billy. The court chooses to look away from his sacrifices and his effort and pity Joanna as the mother of the child even though she was the one who abandoned them.

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Ted testifies: "Joanna has always said that a woman can be as good as a man at anything, but what law says that a woman is better than a man at being a parent just by virtue of her sex?"

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It is a common stereotype in society to grant custody to the mother simply because she is the mother. The father is usually depicted as incapable or unwilling to be a full time parent.

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Directed by: Robert Benton (1979)