Putting it out there...

[ash48]

Pondering this lately because I've been warning to write something about this ('cause of reasons…). Are Sam and Dean actually codependent? Zachariah said they were and they are often referred to by fans as codependent (both negatively and positively). But are they?



of or relating to a relationship in which one person is physically or psychologically addicted, as to alcohol or gambling, and the other person is psychologically dependent on the first in an unhealthy way.

excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner, typically a partner who requires support due to an illness or addiction.

1. Mutually dependent.
2. Of or relating to a relationship in which one person is psychologically dependent in an unhealthy way on someone who is addicted to a drug or self-destructive behavior, such as chronic gambling.



So is codependency the right word for their relationship? Just curious...

[Poll #2014387]

Comments

[cosmicviolet.livejournal.com]

I'd have to say yes, absolutely. I've actually been doing some research along these lines recently, both out of interest for personal reasons and for a meta I'm thinking about writing. My theory is that part of the reason why Sam and Dean are co-dependent is because John is really narcissistic. He seems to have most of the associated qualities, and it's affected the brothers in various ways. For example, he expected Dean to look after Sam and took off for weeks at a time, which resulted in not only physical but emotional neglect. He was just a kid and not ready for the responsibility. It shouldn't have been his problem to deal with. Instead of being a parent and setting proper boundaries, what John showed them was that they would have to depend on themselves because he had checked out. But they lacked the maturity or coping skills to care for themselves and just did the best they could. So their bond is not really healthy, but it's in response to their upbringing and makes sense in that context to me.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yes, I can see that. I don't know enough about narcissism to comment on whether John had that. He was definitely obsessed with hunting and because of that denied his children a proper childhood (especially Dean). I also agree that the characters are s a product of their upbringing - and because that was unconventional, so is their relationship. I'd be interested to see what your meta is about. I'm wanting to explore the audience reaction to their relationship and talk about why some fans think it's unhealthy to enjoy it the way it is.

Thanks for your thoughts.