Movie '50/50': Perspectives Compared and Contrasted - Essay Example

50/50, THE MOVIE 50/50, The Movie: Perspectives Compared and Contrasted Word Count: 784 (3 pages) I. Introduction In the movie “50/50,” two friends named Adam and Kyle are the main characters. What the main focus becomes is that Adam is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer which causes him back pain. The two theories that will be compared and contrasted within the movie 50/50 are going to be Structural Functionalism and Family Systems Theory. These two theories have been chosen as per the instructions’ requirement within the instructor’s clearly structured rubric. II. How Structural Functionalism and Family Systems Theory Are Alike Structural functionalism deals with society being assembled full of different pieces.

In the movie 50/50, most of what the movie deals with are scenes of Adam and Kyle hanging out. According to Ritzer and Ryan (2011), male friendships are more “activity-based” and “independent,” while womens’ friendships are characterized by being “interdependent” and “more fulfilling” (pp. 38). Structural functionalism deals mainly with the idea that everything is interconnected. Similarly, family systems theory deals with influences within, and perspectives within, culture.

According to Goldenberg and Goldenberg (2008), “[P]owerful influences of culture, class, gender, and sexual orientation [have an effect] on family patterns…” (pp. 178). The ways that structural functionalism and family systems theory are similar are evidenced within the movie 50/50. Activity-based friendship is part of the sociological nature of this movie, where Adam and Kyle are trying to figure out what to do since Adam has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer which makes his back hurt.

The elements of family systems theory come into play as well because Adam does not have a good relationship with his parents, but finally becomes more interconnected with them as a result of him reaching out to them—an interconnectedness that can be found in structural functionalism. The fact that both theories deal with important parts of society is something else that the movie 50/50 demonstrates. In the last scene where viewers see Katie and Adam move into the place where they are finally becoming a couple, or “family,” and not just a part of society, it is here where these two theories overlap. III. How Structural Functionalism and Family Systems Theory Are Different Structural functionalism and family systems theory also have differences as evidenced from the movie 50/50.

Structural functionalism stresses pieces of society—such as the family—which are incorporated into a whole, which gives an overall view of what happens within the structure of society. Family systems theory focuses solely on the family—such as in the dynamic relations between Adam and his family. This is, whereas, structural functionalism is demonstrated in a plethora of different scenarios—between Adam and his girlfriend Rachael, between Adam and his psychiatrist Katie, and between Adam and his friend Kyle—which all involve extended pieces of society, not the family per se.

This is how structural functionalism and family systems theory differ, for the most part. Additionally, another element in which structural functionalism and family systems theory are contrasting theories is that family systems theory is actually a smaller part of structural functionalism. For example, even though Adam had family issues going on with him, at the same time, family systems theory was only a small part of a much larger societal picture as a whole—which structural functionalism seeks to emulate.

So, while structural functionalism is kind of like the entire galaxy, family systems theory could be compared to the sun. In essence, family systems theory is so key because it is the core to how everyone relates to everyone else around them. Structural functionalism, however, is the theory that is the “glue” holding everything together, while family systems theory merely operates within the schema of structural functionalism. What is interesting is that family systems theory can operate by itself alone, but structural functionalism differs in that it actually needs family system theory to survive—or else a major chunk of society, nay, virtually everyone in society—would be alienated from structural functionalist theory because families are the very basis of our society.

In 50/50, it was demonstrated that the breakdown of the family led to Adam’s very painful journey through the beginning of young adulthood dealing with cancer, on top of having to tackle real issues about relationships. IV. Conclusion On one hand, the movie 50/50 demonstrates issues within structural functionalism and family systems theory that are the same; in other ways, this movie demonstrates how the two theories, juxtaposed beside one another, contrast, especially in terms of size and function.

While structural functionalism and family systems theory both deal with groups of people and their roles in society, family systems theory exists in and of itself, while structural functionalism needs to exist in order for structural functionalism to exist. These theories are found in the themes within the movie that emphasize the value of relationships and family triumphing over extreme circumstances. REFERENCES Goldenberg H & Goldenberg I (2008). Family therapy: an overview. US: Cengage Learning.

Ritzer G, & Ryan, JM (2011). The concise encyclopedia of sociology. US: John Wiley and Sons.