Stuntboy, in the Meantime illustrates the deep and reaching effects of family conflict, including separation and divorce, on children. Portico grew up with both of his parents and never saw them fight until they decided to separate. Now, they argue constantly, and they have all but forgotten Portico’s emotional needs in the process. Portico doesn’t understand what his parents are implying when they say that they are moving to two new apartments, and it is not until Portico talks to Herbert that he finally realizes what is happening in his family. Portico starts to see himself as a boy split in two, with neither half fully functional or whole.

Portico’s narrative arc features a pattern of conflict that has a negative impact on his worldview and anxiety. Whenever Portico becomes excited about something he did or found out, he runs home to tell his parents, and each time, they are arguing about a different object. Similarly, when Portico is embarrassed or sad, such as after Zola’s birthday party, he tries to turn to his parents, but they aren’t emotionally present. This pattern makes Portico feel insignificant, increasing his anxiety and causing him to create his own chaos.