Ep 109. Help! I Believe My Son Is A Lazy, Entitled, Mooching, Mia Dad!
- April 6, 2016
After thirteen seasons on the air, the iconic daytime talk show, The Dr. Phil Show, continues to delve into the most pressing issues facing families across America. In season 13, episode 109, titled Help! I Believe My Son Is A Lazy, Entitled, Mooching, Mia Dad!, the show examines the struggles of a mother who believes that her son is failing to take responsibility for his life and make the necessary changes to become a productive member of society.
The episode begins with Dr. Phil introducing the audience to the mother, who has come to him for help in dealing with her son's behavior. The woman explains that her son is in his late twenties and has been out of work for about two years. Despite sending him countless job listings and urging him to apply, she says that he refuses to take the initiative to look for a job himself. Instead, he spends his days sleeping in, playing video games, and hanging out with his friends.
What's more, the woman asserts that her son is an absent and uninvolved father to his own child. She tells Dr. Phil that her son's baby mama has repeatedly expressed her frustration with his lack of involvement, and that she has had to step in and provide financial and emotional support for the child.
Dr. Phil listens sympathetically to the woman's story, but it's clear that he doesn't believe that the problem is simply that her son is "lazy" or "entitled." Instead, he insists that there are likely deeper psychological or emotional issues at play.
To get to the bottom of the situation, Dr. Phil decides to bring the son out to the stage so that he can hear both sides of the story. When the son arrives, he is affable and charming, joking around with Dr. Phil and the audience. However, when Dr. Phil begins to question him about his lack of employment and involvement in his child's life, his demeanor quickly changes.
The son becomes defensive and argues that he is doing his best, but that he has been dealt a difficult hand in life. He claims that he suffers from anxiety and depression, and that he has trouble motivating himself to take action. In addition, he asserts that he feels like his mother is always judging him and that he can't do anything right in her eyes.
Dr. Phil challenges the son's assertions and asks him to take responsibility for his own actions. He points out that many people with mental health issues are able to work and be productive, and that refusing to do so only perpetuates the cycle of anxiety and depression.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Phil works with both the mother and the son to help them understand each other's perspectives and work towards a solution. He brings in a therapist to help the son work through his emotional issues, and also emphasizes the importance of the son taking responsibility for his own life.
In the end, the episode offers a powerful look at the struggles faced by families dealing with underemployment, mental health issues, and difficult family dynamics. While there are no easy answers to these challenges, the Dr. Phil Show offers a compassionate and empathetic approach to helping people find a path forward.