Understanding ideas of time, family, and pessimism in Larkin's 'Afternoons'

Larkin arguably presents us with a cynical view of family life in the poem. This cynicism could be reflective of his mother’s attitudes towards marriage, which she shared with Larkin The passage of time is a key theme in the poem; Larkin arguably presents time as a threat to the young parents. Larkin arguably presents the monotony of family life as unfulfilling and arduous. Larkin presents the young couples as emotionally-distant, their responsibilities have forced them apart.