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The film "Boyz n the Hood" explores the challenges faced by three young men growing up in a neighborhood plagued by drugs and gangs. It addresses the social issue of structural inequality and highlights the violence and crime in impoverished communities. The movie also emphasizes the consequences of growing up without parents, particularly a father figure. Reviews of the film demonstrate the impact it had on viewers, who felt validated and recognized. The movie sheds light on institutionalized elements such as lack of opportunities, racial discrimination, and gun violence. It is seen as a realistic portrayal of the struggles faced in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The film raises important questions about the interaction between institutional issues and personal choices. Structural inequality is a central problem, with unequal education and limited economic opportunities perpetuating the cycle of poverty. It is important to study these issues from a sociological perspective in order to c Boyz n the Hood, directed by John Singleton, is the film that I would like to keep talking about. The film explores difficulties faced by three young men as they battle to navigate growing up in a neighborhood where drugs and gangs are prevalent without the support of parents or other adults. It sets off a series of tragic events. I chose this movie because it addresses the specific social issue of structural inequality. It was upsetting to me to see how few opportunities there were, the quality of education the children received, and how few resources were actually available to the neighborhood residents. It speaks to me since I regularly hear that people who are in underprivileged places should provide for and improve their own circumstances. However, no one seems to take into account the difficulty of doing so without any aid. The theme of violence and crime in impoverished communities was highlighted as a significant social issue. The movie frequently emphasizes the challenges of residing in an area with a high gang, drug, and criminal activity rate. A drive-by shooting occurs in the opening scene of the movie, which quickly sets the scene for where the boys are raised. Gang fights, police brutality, and shootings are among more incidents that bring attention to the violence. The movie also highlights the consequences of growing up without parents, particularly a father figure. The main character, Trey, consults his father regularly throughout the movie for guidance on how to handle girls, be a man, and how to secure his future. Doboy and Ricky are two of Trey's friends and do not enjoy this privilege, as they feel they must overcome other challenges and learn how to be men on their own. Finding a replacement for a caring and teaching father might be a problem as well. Unfortunately, they may not always be someone who is suitable to serve as an example. A sociological analysis will help illuminate how children's interactions with others, cognitive growth, and desire to commit crime are impacted by parental support and supervision. It will also concentrate on the institutional layers involved, including how flawed the educational system is in underprivileged areas, and how the police enforcement can be biased in how they interact with local residents, as well as other laws that are in place to maintain a cycle of poverty. I want to examine when it comes to choices that characters make, how does the film show the interaction between institutional issues like poverty, a lack of resources, racial inequality, and personal reasons? How does the movie depict that role of peer influencing, play, and making decisions? What biases about a disadvantaged neighborhood experiences with crime does the movie challenge and support? As I looked through reviews for the movie, I wanted to locate some from both professional and regular moviegoers. In order to be able to assess from various perspectives, I also wanted to discover a mix of favorable and unfavorable reviews. Reading some of the articles that were published after the film's premiere gave me a good idea of how viewers felt. On July 14, 1991, immediately following the premiere of the movie, an article by Sun Time staff writer Fink Burgos was published. It goes into detail on the nationwide riots that broke out when people first began to see the movie. The aftermath left many people injured and others dead. It was necessary for the director Singleton to publicly reject any blame for the violence. He stated, I didn't create the conditions which make people shoot each other. Theaters required extra security and metal detectors for people that go into the movie. Roger Albert, a critic, objected to this, asking, why is it always a black movie that they get on a metal detector? A review done by Lawrence Ware of the New York Times stated that he was only 10 years old when Boys in the Hood came out. Although his mom tried to shield him away from inappropriate movies, Boys in the Hood was a household name for black communities across the country, and she wanted her son to experience the same thing. Lawrence said as soon as the credits rolled, he understood. Although what Singleton depicts about the interaction between the police and black citizens is now widely acknowledged, at the time it was unusual for Hollywood to capture the black community's perspective on police so expective. As a young black man, he was always told to be suspicious of police, but this was one of the first times witnessing the justification for the dread on screen in a significant American film. Another review, written by Reddit user MrAntMan85, said, quote, it's tough trying to get out of the hood, because it's so much that is holding you back. Great movie. Shows what's going on in the hood. And at the end you see that dope boy got killed from gun violence. Never ending cycle. End quote. Both reviews demonstrate how viewers expected a realistic depiction of the hood life, but did not anticipate that the movie would effectively convey the difficulties encountered by police while growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood, where police brutality and the never ending cycle of violence is. The social issues highlighted the institutionalized elements such as lack of opportunities, racial discrimination, and effects of gun violence that anticipate the problems in these communities. These two viewers, along with a large number of others who saw the movie, were surprised by how accurate the portrayal was. Because he's an African American man living in the United States and has experienced hardships similar to those of the character, Lawrence specifically stated that he could empathize. The audience reactions indicate that the movie has a positive impact on society. The amount of recognition viewers felt and validation while watching the movie create a legacy that will never be forgotten. Boys in the Hood is still a staple in not only African American households, but all those who feel seen as they're going through the same struggles. It is difficult to put those biases aside while analyzing Boys in the Hood, since I grew up in the family that lives in communities that were similar to those in the movie, and I've seen firsthand how the violence and systematic problems can affect an individual. With such a perspective, I am better able to relate to the characters and feel both sadness and outrage for the way in which our society is structured to make Leaving the Hood so challenging. By examining the impact of relationships and how individuals' views and behavior influence different sociological theories, assisting with contesting societal assumptions that are depicted in the movie. For instance, we need to take a closer look at the violence shown in the movie rather than assuming it was a result of one person's decision. This means examining any additional social and cultural factors that might be at work. In the movie, Doughboy eventually decides to remain in his neighborhood and submit to the gang violence that affects everyone. Despite the fact that he made this decision, there were several other factors that contributed. You might have chosen to follow this route as a result of factors such as the lack of economic opportunity, systematic prejudice, and the absence of a positive role model. We may start to comprehend how the issues above can contribute to a cycle of poverty by using sociological theories. These ideas can aid researchers in gaining a fresh perspective while examining the interactions between various communities and cultures, as well as the outcomes of certain problems. This enables us to continue building on our body of information and understanding, which we can then use to guide political choices and the allocation of resources targeted at increasing awareness of and assisting individuals affected by social problems. Structural inequality is the problem that I am focusing on. Numerous societal issues, including unequal educational possibilities and restricted economic options, have an impact on the existence of this issue. Starting with education, a crucial component of the foundation required for success is education. To survive in life, having necessities is important, but it also provides countless opportunities for individuals. This can include scholarships that can help young people attend college for free or at a reduced cost and build better futures for themselves can be obtained with a solid education. Additionally, it can aid people in becoming better armed to confront a system that is opposing them. We observe how underfunded schools are and underprivileged communities are, which has a significant impact on the learning that is being received and the resources available. The people who require it most are hurt by the flawed funding system, claims a statement by Michelle Chen in 2018 from The Nation. Children are divided by socioeconomic class and property tax, according to research from the Education Law Center and the Rutgers Graduate School of Education, which found that funding levels drastically differ along district lines. The cycle of poverty is compelled to continue as generations attempt to evade the constraints of restricted economic possibilities in upward social standing. This is because children in impoverished areas continue to obtain an unequal level of education. In the book Contemporary Sociological Theory, Jonathan Turner noted, Marx argued that the degree of inequality is the distribution of resources, which generates inherent conflict of interest between those who have and those who do not have value resources. One resource that is obviously inequality and distributed differently is education. The lack of adequate economic prospects in marginalized groups comes second to having an unequal level of education. It is challenging to break free of the continuous cycle due to several issues, including high unemployment rates, a lack of steady career opportunities, and discriminatory hiring practices. According to a study by the Economic Innovation Group, a majority of communities with persistent poverty are by definition resource constrained, have numerous demands, and have a relatively small tax base considering the economic distress. It is challenging to do basic economic development tasks, such as applying for federal funding and making new businesses, due to limited capacity. This leads to little job availability for residents that live in this area, causing the need to find other ways, which are sometimes illegal, to put food on the table. According to the functionalist viewpoint, society is divided into various components that each play a specific role while cooperating to form a whole. Schools are institutions that exist to pass on knowledge and to get you ready for what lies ahead as an adult. However, when there are educational disparities, certain people may not have access to the same high quality education as others, causing them to have a more difficult start in an unlevel playing field, therefore causing structural inequalities. Understanding the significance of education as an institution enables us to comprehend how educational discrepancies can lead to inequalities in society. The conflict theory is a sociological framework for illuminating the connection in the movie between the social phenomenon of educational gaps and the social problem of structural inequity. In textbook contemporary sociological theory, it says, for Marx, conflict inevitably arises out of inequalities generated by the means of production within a given historical epoch. Those who own and control the means of production are driven to exploit those who have free resources, with the result that the latter feel deprived and alienated. According to the conflict theory, social conflict and power conflicts are the root causes of structural inequalities. When it comes to structural inequity in society, the educational differences that were depicted in the movie are only a small portion of the problem. We observe that some groups are able to take use of privileges and benefits, while others must struggle more against the system to obtain them. This can be seen in various forms of education that are provided, which continue to favor those who are already at the top and help them stay there by giving some more groups better access to possibilities. The intersectionality theory is a significant contemporary sociological theory that explains how social phenomena and social issues in Boys in the Hood are related. According to this theory, a person's disadvantages are not solely shaped by one aspect of their identity, but rather by the interactions of other categories such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. The neighborhoods people in the movie receive lower quality education not just because they are a minority, but also because of their class, gender, and location. Each of these have an effect on how oppressed individuals experience in their daily lives. For example, despite the fact that Trey and Doe Boy were both African American men, they both had access to various resources, such as a father figure, which led them to take distinct routes. One person holds an opposing perspective on structural inequality is Oscar Lewis. In his book, he developed a theory of culture of poverty. Despite his small sample populations, he discovered characteristics common to underprivileged communities, such as frequent violence, a lack of historical awareness, and disregard for future planning, and he presented his argument. According to his theory, living conditions of a poverty lifestyle will lead to the development of a culture or subculture that is adapted to these conditions, meaning it is more of an individual issue rather than my belief of it being structural. Lewis' method of thinking may be supported by the functionalist theory. According to a component of that theory, socialization within families and communities is how cultural values and norms are carried down through generations. As a result, some of the traits he stated may theoretically be passed down through generations. The interactionist theory is an alternative theory that could agree with his claim. The interactionist theory addresses how people construct and interpret relationships based on symbols and meanings in their daily lives. Lewis made the argument that those who are poor may absorb the negative connotations connected to their social standing, which results in a sense of helplessness. Symbolic interactionism acknowledges the significance of labels in influencing identity and behavior. Herbert Spencer, a sociologist, supported the social Darwinism theory, a social theory derived from Charles Darwin's idea of survival of the fittest. He stated that the causes of poverty are because of the poor, that the underprivileged are lazy and people who refuse to work and they should not be permitted to eat. He thought that there should be no resources provided to the poor and related poverty to having a poor moral character. This idea can have connections with functionalism as well. Functionalism considers the possible benefits of society's negative elements. These drawbacks can be used for good, such as inspiring people to keep striving for success or filling the roles for which they are the most qualified. Boys in the Hood offers an in-depth account of inequality in society by showing how numerous social norms, cultural elements, and structural problems combine to influence the lives and experience of each character. They are forced into a maze that is meant to take them, well, as a result of poverty, restricted access to high quality education, and a lack of career possibilities. As each character starts to make decisions and learn how they are influenced, each theory, including the culture of poverty to an extent, is demonstrated in some way. The conflict perspective distinctly identifies the power struggles and discrepancies that are currently taking place for various groups, while the functionalist perspective illustrated the significance of having high quality institutions for all class statuses. All of those taken together allow me to conclude that this is not a standalone issue, but rather a component of something much bigger. We will ultimately only be able to advance this society by having able to see that this is a systemic issue, rather than an individual. Boys in the Hood shows structural inequality depicted in a compelling way. The majority of it is remarkably similar to real life. Despite the fact that some parts may be dramatized, as movies typically are, it drew so many people to love it over the decades because of its realism. One example is how issues are caused by the scarcity of financial resources available to those battling and living in poverty in underprivileged neighborhoods. We observe in the film how many of the residents are unable to lead the lives they are living because they are unable to afford the cost to do so. Jobs nearby are either inaccessible, require qualifications that the majority of applicants cannot fulfill, or are insufficient to support a family, forcing people to find other ways of putting food on the table. Similar to reality, according to a study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the majority of adults who can work do, but they hold jobs that have higher turnover and instability and pay insufficient wages to allow them to meet basic needs, such as nutritious meals and safe housing. These employers also don't offer perks such as employer-sponsored health insurance, meaning that 9.3 million non-elderly people who are not parents pay more than half of their income for rent and who also meet the match qualifying requirements for federal rental aid, yet only one in five are able to do so. Due to funding constraints, there is a significant need that is not met for housing assistance. Based on that study and compared to the movie, we see how similar the problem presents itself in real life. Again, I feel that Conflict Theory best explains this. The absence of work in disadvantaged areas allows those in authority to continue and profit as they maintain their position of power, much like the unequal opportunities for schooling. The primary causes of structural inequalities are, again, societal conflict and power struggles. Moreover, according to the intersectionality theory, all factors such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation influence the opportunities and experiences that people in poverty encounter. Utilizing sociological theories gives us as individuals a strong foundation that enables us to examine the underlying causes of social problems while being conscious of any personal biases and seeing what occurs behind the scenes that contribute to these problems. People are able to confront the issues at hand and determine which solutions are effective and which are not. For instance, Herbert Spencer and many other people of our society may believe that those in poverty are lazy and unwilling to work. They believe that the impoverished should not be given resources and connect poverty to having a bad moral character. However, using the conflict theory and the intersectionality theory, we can see that this is untrue in a number of factors such as unequal educational opportunities, a lack of career opportunities, and a system that is designed to keep those in power in place can be limiting the progress of those living in poverty. Using them, we can see that it goes well beyond being lazy. Systematic changes must be made in community investment, jobs, and education. Because it focuses on the power struggles and conflicts between various groups in society, the conflict theory is the one I most identify with. Inequality, social injustice, and power dynamics are all topics that may be researched using this theory, as I have been doing with my analysis of Boys in the Hood. Because I believe it takes into account how most of our society's problems are caused by power imbalances, I admire this concept the most. When it comes to breaking things down and splitting them to be examined from many viewpoints, I find that using sociological theories are helpful. The interactionist theory examines how social stigmas might impact opportunities and self-perceptions, while the conflict theory focuses on power imbalances, so although they are both sociological theories, they focus on different areas. By using these theories in my career, I will be able to look at an issue from various viewpoints and do different types of research to see which solution could work best. Especially when it comes to Boys in the Hood, I support the conflict theory. It depicts the experiences of the characters, as well as the institutionalized injustices that young African American men experiencing in the hood have to deal with. It demonstrated the structural problems they faced and how they were affected by them in terms of breaking the cycle of poverty. The movie challenged stereotypes when it came to Herbert Spencer's research and theory that people living in poverty are lazy. Rickey demonstrated his drive to succeed by working hard to earn a football scholarship while living in an area with a lot of obstacles. Additionally, Rickey's determination goes against Oscar Lewis' assumption and notion that people in poverty genuinely lack future planning and other attributes. I would argue that the movie had a beneficial impact on society because it raised awareness of the real structural disparities and the challenges of minority groups and has sparked conversations about systematic racism, poverty, and the need for social reform. The movie demonstrates how a person's life can be impacted by a variety of things that can either hold them back or propel them to success. Observing the realities of underprivileged communities will lead to a new awareness and an urge for change.