Freedom Writers Sociological Analysis

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When you see through the eyes of a sociologist, you see the three theories of sociology; Structural Functionalism, Conflict theory and Symbolic interactionism. The highly acclaimed empowering movie, Freedom Writers, contributes significantly to the way we understand sociology. Each character and scene holds an example to the three theories of sociology. Such as gangs have become their own societies with shared values and important roles in relating to Structural Functionalism. Conflict theory justifies the struggle between powers in the movie. Moreover , Symbolic Interactionism explains that poverty contributes to crime in these teenagers lives. A more clear view of the three theories, allows us to get a insightful perspective of how on how …show more content…
The theory also described the on-going struggle between power and that social order is conserved by domination and power, rather than compromise and conformity. There is an ongoing struggle of power between the privileged and poor. Weather it is clashes between races such as white and coloured people or between the rich and the poor. The privileged are white especially the white cops, teachers and overall high authority figures. “White people wanting respect like they deserve it for free.” claims Eva in Freedoms Writers. White people are held above everyone else in the community. While most of the coloured are regarded as dumb, gang members. “An Aztec princess is chosen for her blood. To fight for her people as Papi and his father fought, against those who say we are less than they are, against those who say that we are not equal in beauty or blessings,”(Eva, Freedom Writers). Children are taught to fight for what they deserve from a young age. This fighting is not in book but on the streets of the city with guns in hand. This is how the gang members keep society in order by their power and dominating other …show more content…
Why would someone want to live every single day of their life in fear of being “jumped” or killed? Symbolic interactionism can help explain why these teenagers do the things they do. For example, some teenagers smoke even though they are aware of the medical damage they cause their body. However, to them , they think they look cool and smoke anyway. They interpret that they seem cool but that might not always be the case. Symbolic interactionism can also be stereotypes such as believing that some races in lighter colour are more superior to then the one with darker skin tones. In Freedom Writers, many teenagers live in poverty. Crime is the norm in communities with limited resources such as money. Criminal activity such as guns, stealing and selling drugs is a way for these teenagers to survive. “At long beach it all matters what you look like. If your Latino, Asian or black, you can blasted anytime you walk out your door,” says Eva justifying the need for gangs and guns. They do what they have to stay alive. The teenagers believe that they need guns to survive in the
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