This paper looks at adolescent female development and cultural norms through the character, Jess, in the movie "Bend it Like Beckham".
Written in 2008; 1,200 words; 2 sources; MLA; $ 41.95
Paper Summary:
In most Western cultures, for both males and females, adolescence is a time of intense questioning. It is a developmental stage often characterized by acts of rebellion and defiance of parental dictates and values. However, the relatively uncritical acceptance of this struggle is particular to Western culture, and there is often less tolerance of this in other ethnic contexts. This paper analyzes the movie "Bend it Like Beckham" (2002); specifically the character of Jess, a Sikh girl living in London. Her parents expect obedience while English culture dictates rebellion is essential for children to develop an autonomous identity from their family. This paper also looks at an additional source of conflict that arises from Jess' passion and talent in the male dominated sport of football (soccer). As her mother strives to prepare her for marriage, Jess only wants to play football. But Jess' conflict extends even to English society which suggests that girls use sexuality as a means of rebellion. This paper shows how, despite all of the conflict, Jess actually defines conventional Western norms of femininity in her football prowess, as well as her parent's notions of decorous and obedient feminine behavior.
From the Paper:
"Culturally, soccer is a central part of English life. For many young men, becoming like the cultural sports icon David Beckham, or at least aspiring to football prowess is an important part of their personal development. Football is an integrated part of the environment, the ritual of going to games, and participating in games. Jess embraces this ideal, despite her gender and despite the fact that this sport is not indigenous to her East Asian culture. She also finds romance with a non-Indian man. True, Jess cannot 'be' like Beckham in terms of her social and physical ideal exactly, but she can mimic his excellence on the field."
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