A good subtitle for Perfect might be: So You Think YOUR Family Has Issues? Because, seriously—families in this book bring drama in epic proportions.
Cara's parents expect nothing less than academic and social excellence, and learn nothing when one of their kids has a nervous breakdown. Andre's parents expect him to follow in their footsteps and make lots of money, even though his passion is dance. Kendra's mom expects a major pageant win followed by a modeling career, and her dad's more concerned with his much-younger fiancée than his daughters. Sean's parents are dead, and therefore can't expect anything, but his brother becomes a drug dealer and helps ruin Sean's life in their absence. Ugh.
Questions About Family
- Were Conner's parents solely responsible for his suicide attempt?
- Would Sean have been less clingy with Cara if his parents were still alive?
- How does the absence of her dad in her life affect Jenna's behavior? How does it affect Kendra's?
- Can a stepparent ever take the place of a real parent?
Chew on This
With the exception of Dani, all the kids in Perfect who are missing a parent lack sexual boundaries. Kendra, Jenna, and Sean all use their bodies inappropriately to get what they want.
All the parental pressure in Perfect is driven by denial. The narrators can't tell their parents who they really are, because their parents are so wrapped up in what they need to believe about their children. But if you truly believe your kid is who you think s/he is, you don't need to pressure them to be it.