Bend It Like Beckham Analysis

A major part of one’s identity involves a system of morals and beliefs which are too influenced though one’s culture and experiences in life. The

“Being WEIRD: How Culture Shapes the Mind,” by Ethan Watters, is a compelling article that challenges the reader’s perception on culture and cognition. Instead of cognition affecting culture, our culture affects our cognition. It’s interesting to conceptualize, and it makes one have to introspect their culture, beliefs, attitudes, and actions. Why do we do behave the way that we do? Are our thoughts our own? How much of us is influenced by our environment? This effect of culture can be rooted in our childhoods. We are taught societal norms and how to view, categorize, and perceive the world through the lens of the environment surrounding us. A prime example of this comes from the games we played growing up.

Cultural identity is feeling of belonging to a group, it is an element that is brought about when a person comprehends his/her own culture, it is part of a person’s self –conception and perception and this helps the person to also comprehend and appreciate the culture of other people as well. It is related to nationality, religion, ethnicity, generation or any kind of social group that has its own distinct culture. So culture plays an important role in one’s life because it is a strong factor in shaping one 's identity.

The people in America are given something that not everybody's given. A chance to be successful and to survive, and most countries are not given that chance. Being in America offers a lot to the people. One of the most important right America offers to America is the chance to be ourselves and to live in a place were small wars are not going on between states or communities. The U.S. gives us a chance to be fed. The people in America are not surrounded by a majority of starving people. Instead we have one of the most powerful economy in the world.

Bend it Like Beckham (2002/3) is a romantic comedy written, directed and produced by Gurinder Chadha, a Kenya-born British film maker who grew up India. Director Chadha’s films often reflect on her complex background. Unlike many comedies, Bend it Like Beckham is filled with plenty of important themes. One of them addresses the importance of cultural integration.

Similar to my family’s critical role in my personal and social identity’s development, my ethnicity also contributes some of the most noticeable modifications of a social agents affect on an individual’s personal and social identity. Ethnicity provides a sense of belonging to a group and or a place in a globalised society. As for myself, ethnicity on a micro, meso and macro scale has become a major element in my personal and social identity’s

As traditional and modern views clashes with one another, Jess struggles to maintain a good relationship between both soccer and her family. Modern views are depicted as Jess is influenced by the people she spends time with in the UK. When Jess first joins the team, she struggles to change under a shirt, as she is uncomfortable with exposing her stomach. The scene described is the first time Jess is subjected to exposure of modesty standards in the UK and the direct contrast towards her culture. While she was taught to cover skin, the other girls were taught to show off their physique. When Jess progresses in her soccer career, her long-established family practices begin to become an obstacle. Traditional views are clearly distinguished once Jess spends time with her Indian family. Jess gets in trouble when an Indian couple announces to Jess’ parents that they saw her making out with a white boy. In reality, she was hugging her friend Jules as they were celebrating their happiness. In her parents’ traditional views, they want her to marry someone involved in their community, rather than a foreigner. The parents are greatly distraught from Jess’ actions, and feel her transgressions gives their family name a bad reputation among the other families in the Indian community due to the misunderstanding. In the UK, Indian women are granted more freedom to choose

Finally, people’s cultural identity are totally different from different places they were born. Everybody is themselves and there is no way you can change that or them. The most important elements are ethnicity, relationships, community and family to cultural

Overall, ‘Bend it like Beckham’ was an inspiring and comical film of the conflicts that arise in the clash of culture versus family/culture. Many themes were presented within the film such as wanting is will. This theme is explained with the constant perseverance of Jess, where she set a dream for herself and never gave up, in the end accomplishing what she dreamed for; her goal. Another theme explored was that of, your parents don’t always know what’s best for you. Times

In this sense, personal cultural diversity can be seen through the influences of personal experiences that have been acquired and accumulated by the individual through his or her lifetime. Another factor to consider is the individual’s religious background or influences, as this would determine the values and practice of morality of the individual. This would also define one’s behavior and personality in comparison to other individuals. In addition, the religious influence of an individual, along with his or her personal experiences determines his or her judgments and prejudices regarding a certain issue. Another important factor is one’s social-economic class background, which refers to one’s income levels and lifestyle backgrounds. One’s level of income and lifestyle entitles one to develop different views and perceptions regarding different issues or topics.

Through the use of cinematic techniques, Hidden figures, a movie directed by Theodore Melfi and Bend it like Beckham by Gurinder Chadha both explore the dangers that are inherent in a marginalised society. Each text demonstrates that hope for change is needed in society as it can build the momentum for an individual to strive. Through these texts, we see that people have no conscience about harming others until they learn the truth about their circumstances. This is depicted by the way in which Jess’ coach Joe behaves after learning about her cultural expectations in Bend it like Beckham. Similarly, this is shown in Hidden Figures by Mr. Harrison. Both directors emphasise that the abuse of power leads to corruption and this can be seen through the segregation between the black and white people in Hidden Figures and the way in which cultural values overrule the lives of the Bhamra’s in Bend it like Beckham. Both characters highlight the importance of creating opportunities rather than seeking it, this is shown when Mary Jackson goes to court for educational rights in Hidden Figures and in Bend it like Beckham when Jess stands up to her father who appears to be patriotic about his cultural values. The resolutions to both texts justify that determination comes from within and that though many factors can outweigh a person’s ability to triumph, consistency can lead to rewarding results. As an audience we are able to further increase our understanding of perseverance through

Family ties people down and brings people together. It chains people down with rules and regulations, caging them in with familial obligations. While most would not complain or fight against being encaged and molded into their parents’ desires, some let go, abandoning these duties in exchange for happiness. In the production Bend It Like Beckham, the protagonist, Jess, struggles with the reason why it is important to abandon family obligations when it conflicts with one’s personal desires.

Today more than ever, individuals and societies are built as an integration of different cultures and carry different characteristics that construct their unique identity.

Cultural similarities are shared ideas, beliefs or experiences that two different cultures may have in common. In Bend it like Beckham, Jess' traditional Sikh family and Jules' modern parents share similar ideas about their daughters playing football. The mothers both believe that their daughters playing football does not fit into a "womanly" role. They are concerned that their daughters will not get married

When I think of the word “cultural identity”, I think of myself, and what makes up who I am as a person. My cultural identity influences everything about me, from the moment I wake up, to the minute I rest my head on my pillow at night. My culture influences the way I eat, speak, worship, and interact with people. However, I am not only affected by my own culture, but others’ culture as well. I am fortunate to have an extremely rich heritage, and I couldn’t be prouder of my cultural identity.