MovieChat Forums > For Keeps? (1988) Discussion > Why was she drinking alcohol?

Why was she drinking alcohol?

posted 15 years ago by SpiffyAngel
10 replies | jump to latest

I don't know if this was already asked, so sorry if it was

I just watched this movie for the first time a few nights ago and was wondering even after she found out she was pregnant she was still drinking the wine or champaign at Stan's house during the Christmas get-together, she even takes a sip or two and then gives it to Stan to hold while she announces that she didnt go through with the abortion

But why was she drinking it in the first place if she knew she was pregnant?

I was born in 1990 so I have no idea what it was like to live in the 80's but back then did they not know that drinking alcohol harms your baby? I thought they would know back then

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(¸.·´ (¸.·´Spiffy

[–] Lisaluv1 15 years ago

Can't comment on a personal note due to nvr having kids but I believe drinking a little wine will not do much harm and yes during the 80's and perhaps even now women don't see it as an issue until they get into further time frame of having a baby.

Now if they were showcasing her going out to a bar (after being 3 months pregnant) and downing several alcoholic drinks then would see that as a problem. But they kept it simple w/ showing that she was drinking a glass of wine in perhaps the first few wks of being pregnant.

Sad note ~ that sure the writers didn't attend to use as a msg ... is that if she was considering aborting the child prior then sure her mind set wasn't to bright to even think of the things she shouldn't do now that she's keeping the kid.

Poop in his hand ... Poop in his hand

[–] angelprincess6879 14 years ago

Well the way I saw it, she went thru the motions of taking a sip but never actually drank any. And Stan took his and her glasses right afterward and there was still a lot in them.

Real love is FOREVER!!!!

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] m31428-1 13 years ago

Drinking during pregnancy was not taboo back then. It was pretty acceptable but heavy boozing while pregnant wasn't OK. Back then ladies smoked and drank through their pregnancy. Pregnant women were told to avoid alcohol completely sometime in the early 90's after studies determined that pregnant drinking had no positive effects and lots of possible negative ones. Why take a chance.

[–] SydLorraine 13 years ago

An occasional glass of wine isn't harmful. At the rate Darcy drank, which was rarely, it wasn't a big deal. There are some babies that are born with problems by mothers who never took a sip. Seriously, quit the "drinking is taboo" during pregnancy thing. A million French women would disagree with you, too.

[–] the_unknown_one1984 12 years ago

in the movie both darcy and her mom were big into french, they spoke french to each other, they had french night for dinner, they also had a trip planned to france after darcy graduated high school. Plus the mother even specifically says during a speech about how the french love babies, that they give them wine when they are born, or on new years eve or something like that. and the french are wonderful with babies, i cant remember the exact line. But take all that into consideration plus the special occasion that it was, and the early time in her pregnancy, and that she hadnt yet told them, and that it was the 80's and its not surprising at all to see her with a GLASS of wine. if she drank like stan did post baby during pregnancy than ya but the glass of wine on xmas was nothing, especially considering the whole french thing they had in there lives.

[–] lindsaytomcat 12 years ago

I'm surprised no one commented and noticed how she was holding the baby in the car at the end when she's looking for Stan. Nowadays I can't imagine not putting a child in a car seat (and it is in fact the law, I believe) but back then it just wasn't a big deal.

Even now I believe they say a glass or two of alcohol wouldn't do anything to the fetus. Some studies actually believe a glass of wine could be beneficial during pregnancy.

[–] cjlove2523 9 years ago

Wine is not bad for a baby. I had one glass of red wine when I was pregnant and my son came out completely fine. I don't think taking shots of patròn is a wise idea but a tiny bit of wine one time is not bad.

[–] Born_Tomorrow 9 years ago

Your OGBYN will even tell you that 1 drink every once and a while will not hurt the baby.

I woke up this way...

[–] buchookie (36) 5 years ago

Alcohol is a Teratogen.
"One teratogen that affects the central nervous system is alcohol. Alcohol, at any time during the pregnancy, has the potential to cause birth defects and health problems in the baby, since the central nervous system is sensitive to teratogens the entire nine months of gestation"

If you don't want your child to have FASD, don't consume alcohol whilst pregnant. If you can't go without a drink for 9 months, you're not ready to be a parent.