Family Quotes in Ordinary People

Calvin is interrupted before he can continue, which is a good thing, because it would be difficult to find proof that Beth doesn't hate Conrad. "Because she's his mother" isn't a good enough answer in this situation. If Beth does love Conrad, she never really shows it.

There's a certain level of expectation put upon a mother. Because Beth loves differently (if you believe this theory), does that make her a bad mother?

Berger is being sarcastic here, trying to convince Calvin, with humor, that Conrad isn't a rotten son and that Calvin isn't a lousy father. He's trying to show Conrad that he isn't responsible for his parents' behavior.