Socio-cultural Issues in the Movie Take the Lead - Research Paper Example

Culture Issues : Take the Lead Outline I. Introduction II. Two socio-cultural issues that appear to be depicted in the events or behaviours of the individuals involved III. Research findings and literature IV. Critical comment on the portrayal of the issues V. Conclusion VI. References Introduction The movie Take the Lead talks about the issues of culture in North American Society. The research centers on the movie’s cultural values and physical education of family and disadvantaged education. The literature research focuses on affirming the two cultural values. Literature confirms the family issues as well as disadvantaged youth issues advocated by the movie, Take the Lead. Part 1) Two Socio cultural Issues and Physical education. There are two socio-cultural issues as well as physical education topics depicted in the events of the individuals involved. First, the movie focuses on the disadvantaged students’ education. The dance instructor, Pierre Dulaine, persuades the detention students to learn ballroom dancing. At first, the students feel that they have no hope in the future, refusing to learn ballroom dancing. With the dance lessons, the students learn respect and how to overcome all formidable hindrances to their dreams. The dance lessons teach them to work hard in order to achieve their dreams. The group of Sasha, Danjou and Ramos tie with the professional dancer, Morgan, for the $5,000 grand price. Second, the movie revolves on the issue of family. The white girl, Caitlin, feels that her white mother would disapprove of her dancing with another person, except Philip. The white girl tries her best to learn to dance in order make her mother proud; the white girl succeeds by bring her African American boyfriend, Monster, to the Ballroom dance contest. Pierre, the dance structure, successfully explains to the parents that teaching dance lessons to the children in detention includes the concepts of teamwork, dignity, and respect for family and other persons in the community. Further, the African American girl, LaRhette, stays the night in the school because she is almost raped by her mother’s lover. LaRhette feels that her whole world revolves around her only family, her mother, a prostitute. Likewise, the African American male, Rock, feels discouraged by his father’s irresponsibility. The son strives to finish school to avoid disintegrating to the level of his father. Both the LaRhette, who is almost raped by one of her mother’s sexual customers, and the African American male, and Rock, find love in each other’s arms through the dance medium. Dance truly melts the hearts of two unfriendly dance partners. Part 2) Research findings and literature In terms of family values and physical education, George Smith (1998) emphasized “In his State of the Union Address in 1996, President William J. Clinton acknowledged that the Nation's primary challenge was to "strengthen the American Family" and observed that since families are the very foundation of American life if stronger families are built, America itself will be stronger (p 1).” The major source of the community’s progress is historically nuclear heterosexual family unit translates to the survival of the bigger society or neighborhood. The family is the basic social group where the bond of both faithfulness and trust is crafted which permits for the cropping up children as a witness to its reliability. The average family and its corresponding parenthood are connected to the good life. Further, Gill Jagger (1999) insists “The family', wrote Herder in 1783, 'is a product of Nature. The most natural state is, therefore, a state composed of a single people with a single national character…. For a people is a natural growth, like a family, only spread more widely' (p. 136).” The term New Right advocates the romantic fiber of the nation. It is a traditional philosophy, for it institutes membership of the United States of America, in normal situations, an inscriptive characteristic precipitating from pre-political evidences s as to an individual’s identity. In terms of these evidences are taken to be biological facts of genetic nature such as those that rise up between members of the family, or even between some members of the natural family unit, then this traditional philosophy can be defined as a race-tainted issue. The philosophy is a minimal over-simplification, but the propensity to translate to racism is inherent in the traditional philosophy of the country. For the try to distinguish a single community of persons on the basis of a 'single national character' is significantly bound to metamorphose to racial exclusiveness. Further, Patricia Pisters (2005) insists “investigate the transfigured role of the family both as the mediator and as the mediated in a transnational world in which intercultural values are negotiated through mass media like film and television, as well as through particularistic media like home movies and videos (p. 84).” The terms shooting the family has two different interpretations. One interpretation states one can espouse that the family is under pressure and being changed by the two forces of globalization and migration. However, family matters of all kinds, in terms of both reinforcements and radical reconfigurations of traditional family values, are gradually more created and reoriented in a mediated form: the “reel family” leveled up to become an important means for the successful intercultural affairs processes. Furthermore, John Gillis (1996) states "Fathers occupy a very modest place in our symbolic universe—always at the threshold of family life, never at its center. Men pay for their autonomy by remaining strangers in their own homes. Perceived as liminal figures, fathers sometimes appear threatening, but usually they are just out of place, rather ridiculous in the domestic setting (p. 179).” Consequently, the issue of fathers traversed to create laughter than serious conversation. For a majority of the current century, the interpretation of the roles of the father in film, fiction, and television continues to include being satiric. Many fathers did not fare much better when discussed by scholars. Many scholars had treaded into tumultuous waters placing the issue of fatherhood on the same serious level as motherhood. In addition, Dana Mack (2000) opines “Not so long ago, parents were looked upon as repositories of wisdom and rectitude, and they were the unchallenged custodians of their children's welfare. That is no longer the case. Parents today are relentlessly assailed as abusive, and unworthy of their authority (p. 25).” During the past few years, the boob tube, television, had placed the average couch potato (television viewer) to several tales of parental cruelty and lasciviousness. Lasciviousness includes beatings, sexual molestation, and the dreaded murder issue. From the frightful statements of the Oprah Winfrey show entitled Scared Silent to the horrifying television drama Child of Rage to the Prime Time Live television series focusing on "Satanic Child Abuse," television continues to bring out the disconcerting concept that everywhere sick parents brutalize their young children during their growing up years. The published statements of America’s celebrities and their children— Joan Crawford's daughter, Christina Crawford, and former Miss America Marilyn van Derbur can be considered as fostering a vain and ferocious picture of the average parenthood, persuading the average person that behind even the most famous and glamorous lives of celebrities and other very important persons lie unbearable stories of family violence and depravity. In terms of disadvantaged education and physical education, Margaret Maden (2001) insists “Haywood High School is certainly an improving school, and has travelled a long way from the gloomy place it found itself to be in the late 1980s. This improvement can be seen in its results, its staying-on rates, attitudes within the school and community attitudes to the school (p. 184). ” The average school institution wishes that the investment of thought, commitment, energy and insight will metamorphose to the bearing of fruit in terms of those stubborn, hard statistics of test success. It is difficult to ascertain, but the facts show that the continuous process of improvement will go unabated. Also, Pamela Lees (1997) insists “In fact, in a conservative climate, some believe that disadvantaged children should be grateful for any help that others are gracious enough to offer (p. 57).” From a liberal standpoint, the people have worked hard during the last 30 years to ensure the North American education system more accessible. However, the results indicate discouraging statistics that borders on angry criticism. Likewise Pamela (1997) Lees writes Maria, a disadvantaged child, story “I still think it all comes back to my mom really. As I get older, I realize what she did by raising three kids on her own with no support from my dad, and going out there with no college education and getting a very good job really (p. 97).” Maria’s mother was the driving force that kept the family intact through the hard years. One of Maria’s mother’s aims was to make her three daughters self-sufficient. Pamela Lees (1997) goes on to state “Some children are insulated by positive family experiences; others are not. Some children are protected by strong personal characteristics; others are not. Some children are bolstered by intervening environmental circumstances; others are not (p. 109).” Inside this graphic scene the growing and groping child must choose the best alternative (both consciously and subconsciously) grounded on an evaluation of the child’s life experiences in the above areas. Part 3) Critical Comment on the Portrayal of the Issues. In terms of specific scenes from the movie, the movie’s portrayal of the family life issue conforms to the research and theory studied. The film shows communication must take into consideration the culture of the message receiver. The film clearly indicates that LaRhette madly reacts to Rock’s comments on the prostitute job of LaRhette’s mother. The movie shows that LaRhette is hurt whenever she recalls her father leaving her family for good. The movie vividly shows Caitlin as a person who will do whatever it takes to please her mother. One movie scene shows LaRhette saying to Rock that she forgets her real harsh world whenever she is dancing. The movie scene happily shows Caitlin’s mother happy to see Caitlin dance beautifully at the dance floor. In addition, the movie excellently shows that Rock will do whatever it take to avoid entering the same lazy life of Rock’s father, even engaging in illegal activities. The movie perfectly shows the detention student, Rock, is eager to finish his high school education in order to have a future that is better than Rock’s father’s job offers. The movie perfectly complies with George Smith’s theory stating “the Nation's primary challenge was to "strengthen the American Family" and observed that since families are the very foundation of American life if stronger families are built, America itself will be stronger (p 1).” is correct. The family is the basic foundation of the nation. The three movie individuals are sad because their family’s values are found wanting. A disintegrating family will transcend to a disintegrating nation, in terms of values. The movie conforms to Gill Jagger’ disadvantaged education theories. The movie clearly shows that the disadvantaged children have the right to enter a formal school. The most natural state is, therefore, a state composed of a single people with a single national character…. For a people is a natural growth, like a family, only spread more widely' (p. 136).” The movie includes touches of family misunderstanding. Rock feels that he must finish school in order to avoid being dragged into the abyss of laziness and drunkenness where his father is deeply entrenched. In addition, the movie scene indicating that LaRhette is waiting for Rock on the dance floor as the Waltz dance contest is about to start brings a strong family message. The movie shows that love is what drives a person to excel. Rock prefers to leave his robbery friends in order to reach his waiting LaRhette’s arms inside the Ballroom dance floor. In turn, LaRhette is anxiously waiting for Rock to arrive at the dance floor. The film clearly shows that LaRhette will remain sad if Rock does not show up at the dance floor. The love culture is what can move mountains, figuratively. The movie clearly shows that LaRhette tries to escape the world of his prostitute mother. She does this by staying the night in the school’s dance room. The girl is saddened by a rape attack by one of her mother’s sex customers. The film clearly conforms to the family culture espoused by Patricia Pisters. Pisters discussed the family culture stating “family matters of all kinds, in terms of both reinforcements and radical reconfigurations of traditional family values, are gradually more created and reoriented in a mediated form”. Also, the movie correctly shows Caitlin’s compliance with family culture values. The movie shows Caitlin tries her best to please her mother. The movie correctly indicates Caitlin learns to dance to make her mother proud of Caitlin. However, Caitlin’s way of learning to dance follows an abhorred path. Caitlin learns to dance with her African American boyfriend. Caitlin tells her boyfriend that her mother may not like another person to replace Philip. The movie also shows realities of life. For example, Caitlin finally refuses to bow down to her mother’s wishes and dances with her African American boyfriend at the ballroom dancing contest. In the same manner, LaRhette continually returns home yearning for the love and care of her mother, despite the home’s “lonely and sad” environment. However, her mother is too busy finding prostitution customers willing to pay for the mother’s sexual services. The film completely conforms to Gillis’s company’s policy statement. The statement that "Fathers occupy a very modest place in our symbolic universe—always at the threshold of family life, never at its center. Men pay for their autonomy by remaining strangers in their own homes.” The film strongly shows Rock wishing that his father snaps out of being a lazy person. The film positively shows Rock scolding his father and informs him that Rock will finish his school in order to avoid being dragged into the bottomless pit characterized by a father who refuses to work because of the father’s overpowering sadness over the death of Rock’s brother. In terms of disadvantaged education scenes of the movie, the movie conforms to the research and theory studied. The movie correctly shows that LaRhette is doing her best to live in a world of happiness, escaping harsh reality. With Rock, LaRhette’ disadvantaged education-tainted life metamorphoses to be one where love fills the air. With the love of Rock, LaRhette is swept away to a land where she forgets LaRhette’s real harsh home environment. In addition, movie shows that the disadvantaged prostitute mother does whatever it knowsl she knows best to feed her family. The movie persuades the movie audience to pity or understand the inescapable life of prostitute mother. The mother works find money to feed LaRhette, have a decent home, and go to school. Society would never approve of a mother who works as a prostitute. Lastly, stating that the movie scene does not conform to research and theory studied on family culture is completely erroneous. There is no scene in the movie that shows a false family culture. The movies shows some fathers wasting their time away lazily drinking beer, just like Rock’s drunkard father. The movie indicates many fathers leave their family behind in divorce, just like LaRhette’s divorced father. The movie shows several fathers have no time for important family affairs, just like Caitlin’s father’s absence during Caitlin’s ballroom dance. Based on the above discussion, the movie Take the Lead tackles the issues of culture and physical education in American Society. Literature exquisitely backs the movie’s family themes of unity, love, and encouragement. The literature affirms the movie’s excellent discussion of disadvantaged education as a tool for improving the lives of the disadvantaged school youth. Indeed, the movie, Take the Lead, affirms all the physical education issues, family issues and disadvantaged youth culture issues researched and studied. REFERENCES: Gillis, J. (1996). A World of Their Own Making: Myth, Ritual, and the Quest for Family Values. New York: Basic Books Press. Jagger, G. (1999). Changing Family Values. New York: Routledge Press. Lees, P. (1997). Disadvantaged Girls to Successful Women: Education and Women's Resiliency. Westport: Praeger Press. Mack, D. (2000). The Assault on parenthood: How Our Culture Undermines the Family. San Francisco: Encounter Books Press. Maden, M. (2001). Success Against the Odds. Five Years on: Revisiting Effective Schools Disadvantaged Areas . New York: Routledge Press. Pisters, P. (2005). Shooting the Family: Transnatoal Media and Intercultural Values. London: University Press . Smith, G. (1998). Family Values and the New Society. Westport: Praeger Press. Read More