Baum, Rebecca A. “Kramer vs. Kramer vs. mother-right.” Jump Cut. No. 23. Oct. 1980.
4-5. (available at http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC23folder/
KramerVsKramer.html)

    In “Kramer vs. Kramer vs. mother-right,” Baum purports her views of Kramer vs. Kramer. Baum notes a very misogynistic theme within the film, and notes several specific scenes in the movie where such themes are apparent. Baum notes that from the first scene involving both Joanna and her onscreen son, Billy, emotional distance is apparent. Hoffman is shown a humorously inept at first; however, he quickly becomes a near expert in parenting, as highlighted by parallel breakfast scenes in the movie. At only a few instances in the movie is Joanna Kramer shown as a caring, loving mother; more often the audience is shown a Joanna that is aloof, irresponsible, and self-centered. Even Margaret, Joanna’s former friend, informs Joanna that she fails to understand the bond Ted and Billy have. She is stereotyped as the flippant feminist who sacrificed her maternal right, and then demonized for seeking to destroy a fraternal bond that has developed between Ted and Billy. Such depictions may be accurate for the plot, but Baum suggests that Ted is shown in an unreasonably positive light that idealizes him in contrast to negative maternal stereotypes and credits him with typically maternal skills and attitudes in an unrealistic manner. Baum suggests that the court battle itself is biased and is a disservice to potential viewers, ignoring the thousands of women in America who struggle to receive proper compensation from their children’s fathers. Baum ultimately interprets all these biases as demonstrative of a broader theme in the movie; if you are a mother and dare to deviate from society’s expectations of you in this role, you will no longer be allowed to be a mother.
    This article is similar in many ways to Malloy’s article on the alleged bias of Kramer vs. Kramer against Joanna and for Ted. In the same way as Malloy’s article, it contrasts extensively with Asimov’s assessment of the movie and its realism. This article is relevant due to its evaluation of Kramer vs. Kramer’s accuracy in conveying a message regarding divorce to contemporary society.