Topic > Social Issues in the Film Boyz N' The Hood

In the 1992 film “Boyz in the Hood” John Singleton takes a closer look at urban black America in South Central, Los Angeles. Three, Ricky and Doughboy are the main characters in this movie who grow up together in their neighborhood or as they call it "the neighborhood". All three characters struggle with various internal issues that help them grow as young adults. First there is Tre, a good student who dreams of furthering his education by going to college. With the guidance of his father, Furious Styles, Tre learns responsibility and character. So, Ricky, an exceptional athlete who is trying to earn a football scholarship to USC, feels that sports is his only outlet to greatness. Ricky's brother, Doughboy, is an all-round gangster who associates with violence, alcohol and crime. Doughboy, which means drug dealer, maintains a strong sense of pride. Doughboy, Ricky, and Trey, along with their parents, are chronicled from childhood to adulthood. These characters grew up in a very deviant community, however there were many reasons why they didn't all become deviant. Over the course of the film these characters had many opportunities to engage in deviant behavior, as some did while others did not. Their behavior and personality have been determined by many factors and theories studied by sociologists. These theories consist of social control or conflict theory, effects of capitalism, and labeling theory. This film also shows why class is not determined by race. When this deviant society is exposed to these theories, a normal society can better understand why this deviance is created. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In this film Boyz n the Hood, director and writer John Singleton describes the social deviance that plagues Doughboy and his friends, and can be explained using a framework of deviance called Conflict Theory. Conflict theory in terms of deviance explains that engaging in deviant behavior is an attempt to combat the unequal access to resources and social and economic opportunities enjoyed by those who hold power and have social control. Deviant behavior is the result of social conditions. Although the story is entirely fictional, the South Central LA living conditions shown in the film are extremely real. South Central LA is known for urban decay and street crime. South Central is considered the center of gang violence and poverty in the city of Los Angeles, as it is the birthplace of many famous gangs such as the "Bloods" and the "Crips". As well as an area with low-income minorities. Tre’s father exemplifies this in the film by telling him, “If you want to talk about guns… why is there a gun store on every corner here? - Why? - I'll tell you why. Just like there's a liquor store on every corner here? Why? I'll tell you why. Just like there's a liquor store on every corner here? - Why? - I'll tell you why. Just like there is a liquor store on every corner in the black community. Why? They want us to kill ourselves. If you go to Beverly Hills you don't see that shit. They want us to kill ourselves. The best way to destroy a people is to take away their ability to reproduce." Dalton Conley In You May Ask Yourself, describes social control theory as a concept that refers to the ways in which people's thoughts, feelings, appearance, and behavior are regulated in social systems. Tre's father shows how people with social control in these systems find ways to maintain and increase their power. Already disturbed by the sound of weapons thatriddle the Crenshaw neighborhoods and by the bright lights of the helicopters patrolling at night, many African Americans find it extremely difficult to escape such grim conditions in a society based on capitalism. Those in power in a capitalist society increase these conditions to ensure that the rich remain in power. Capitalist societies depend on “competitive forms of social and economic interaction and substantial inequalities in the allocation of social resources.” Because of the inequalities that disadvantage African Americans in a capitalist society, economic security is not guaranteed. Often, many African Americans in South Central Los Angeles are forced to compete, as they must “provide for themselves, finding the best opportunities available to provide for themselves and their families.” One of the film's most damaging structural elements is the black family itself. . The film exposes a growing breakdown of the black family in South Central, Los Angeles. The way the film shows this is in the way Brenda Baker (Tyra Ferrell) finds it necessary to favor the younger son (Ricky Baker) over the older son (Darin “Doughboy” Baker), because the economic structure (capitalism) that dominates the family situation forces her to favor him (from her point of view). For Brenda, Ricky, who is a star student-athlete with great potential to not only become a superstar college student-athlete, but also a professional athlete, is her family's only hope of moving to a more favorable position within the capitalist economic system. The lack of economic and social opportunities for Brenda in South Central Los Angeles with an absent father forces Brenda to foster her children. Darrin becomes his "rejection" and Ricky becomes his financial investment. Unfortunately, at the film's conclusion, both Darren and Ricky die, symbolizing how important family unity is and how harmful a capitalist society is. The idea of ​​labeling and misrepresenting African Americans is something Singleton addresses in this film as well. . Singleton highlights the fact that African Americans are generally portrayed negatively by society and the media. In Boyz N the Hood the main characters all represent someone from the African-American community. Although all personalities may be different from each other, they have one particular thing in common: they are linked by social issues that influence their lives. An example of the labeling theory in this film is Brenda, Doughboy and Ricky's mother. His overall outlook on life and lack of interest culminates in the path both of his children take. Family plays an important role in the labeling process of young people. Rick and Doughboy come from different fathers. Doughboy's father is depicted as uninspired and lazy, two qualities that are reflected in his lifestyle. Brenda tells Doughboy "You ain't shit, you don't do shit and all you're gonna do is shit." All you do is eat, sleep and shit.' With Ricky it's a different story. He grabs Ricky as he strokes his cheek and says, "Every day you look more and more like your father." I always knew you'd be worth something.' To Doughboy, he says again, "you ain't shit, just like your dad." She reacts so well to Ricky because she sees him as her ticket out of South Central LA. He believes he will go to college and get drafted by the NFL. This translates into dollars and a better life for her. Doughboy will mean nothing in his eyes. Installing these feelings of worthlessness instead of countering them with core values ​​is a clear example of labeling theory. In addition to the labeling and misrepresentation of the characters, this can also reflect on the film itself, as Boyz N.