As the Child Turns

It happens to the best as well as the lesser dads. At some point, a child turns on them. Most often the father manages the situation. But not always.

Sometimes the little pain in the neck is a bit more serious and should be dealt with more severely than dad is prepared to. Such is the sad tale of Clarence Layne, who discovered his lack of papa preparedness thanks to the stab wound inflicted by son Jeffrey. The 47-year-old family scion was of the strong belief that his father, 71, is the devil.

Occasionally, the child is encouraged by others to turn on dad. Thus was Patrick Allerton, 63, ratted out by his school age daughter, probably ending his days as nickel and dime (bag) entrepreneur.

Whenever it happens, it is a good source of drama — although what's made of that source material can vary — as is whatever source material was used for Yonkers Joe, the new movie whose plot hinges to some degree on the tantrums of (downs-syndrome suffering) Joe Jr. aimed at not-so-good-old dad.