Bend it like Beckham is a film that was written, directed, and produced by Gurinder Chadha, a British film maker who was grew up in India. The film focuses on the main character’s desire to play football and the conflict she faces due to her obligations to her traditional Sikh family. The character, Jess Bhamra, must make the decision to pursue football or follow her parent’s wishes and complete school and marry and Indian man. As Jess struggles to find her own identity without losing her family, she befriends a British footballer Jules.
Jules’ parents offer an interesting parallel to Jess’ family, showing that although cultures may be very different in some ways, they are actually very similar in others. Director Chadha explains that Jess’s coming-of-age story represents “the nuts and bolts of integration” and the experience of being part of a “diasporic culture. “(McClain, 2005).
In addition to cultural issues, racial, gender and sexual discrimination are also dealt with by characters in the movie. The film presents several aspects of India culture such as; religious beliefs, traditional roles of Sikh woman and the importance of Indian rituals and cuisine.
Jess often lacks enthusiasm for her culture, much to her parents’ dismay. Throughout the movie, Jess’ family and especially her mother, often pray to a picture of an old man with a long white beard that hangs above the fireplace mantel. The man is Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism (Sighn, 1998).
The Essay on Family Culture Change
The depression era family culture demonstrated a close knit community which spent large amounts of time together (Craig 2006). Many families used to gather around the same radio and listen to entertainment or news and the fire side chats then President Roosevelt gave provided reassurance for a worried public (Craig 2006). The lifestyle of a nuclear family with close contacts has developed to a ...
When Jess’ mother is praying to Guru for “A-level results” on Jess’ exams, Jess tells her mother to hurry up. While Jess’ mother takes her religion and tradition very seriously, Jess is disinterested. Religion is a very important aspect of Sikh culture, as they include prayers and rituals into their daily lives (Gold, 1996).
Jess’ reluctance to submit to the traditional role as a Sikh woman is a major conflict between her and her parents. Jess is experiencing integration with British culture. Although Jess does not want to submit completely to Indian culture she does not want to completely abandon her cultural identity either. Her parents have a hard time understanding Jess’ interpersonal conflict with them because they have chosen to remain separated from the British community, rather than integrate. Jess’ parents are afraid the living in Britain will influence the lives and behaviors of their daughters.
Often times during the movie the parents show signs of ethnocentrism. They believe that their culture is the correct one and make comments about how one of their daughters marrying a white man or a Muslim would be shameful. An important moment in the film is a conversation that Jess has with her football teammates. They are talking about marriage and the teammate says to Jess that she must have to marry and Indian and Jess agrees. Her teammate questions how she can “stand” having to marry who other people want her to. Jess replies, “It’s just culture”.
Jess understands that certain traditions are a part of her life because of her culture. She may not always agree with the way things are done but she accepts the reasons why her family pushes her towards traditional roles. 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.
The Essay on Mother/Daughter Relationships In The Joy Luck Club
Mother/daughter relationships are a significant aspect of the Joy Luck Club. Characteristics of each mother/daughter relationship relate to the four main themes of the novel. These being, parent/child conflict, the discovery of identity, the idea of balance and harmony as well as the use of symbolism. An example of one mother/daughter relationship in the Joy Luck Club, is that of Lindo and Waverly ...
They are concerned that their daughters will not get married because football interferes with finding a husband. At one point during the movie, Jess’ mother says to her, “What sort of family would want a daughter who could play football but not cook? Start behaving like a proper woman! ” (Chadha, 2003).
Jules’ mother says to her, “No boy’s gonna go out with a girl who’s got bigger muscles than him! ” The mothers share the belief that women should concentrate on attracting a husband, rather than spend time playing sports. The topic of homosexuality is also included in the film.
The reactions of the characters show how British culture and Indian Culture view homosexuality in a similar way. Jules’ mother misunderstands an embrace between Jules’ and Jess, and assumes that the two are lesbians. Jules’ mother is clearly upset by the idea of her daughter dating another woman. Near the end of the movie, when Jules’ finds out that her mother thinks she is dating Jess, she exclaims, “Mother, just because I wear trackies and play sport does not make me a lesbian! ” The mothers misperception also shows that female athletes can be stereotyped as homosexual.
In Indian culture, the Manu Smriti, the oldest code of conduct in India, states the homosexuality is punishable (Olivelle, 2004).
This explains why Jess’ friend Tony does not want to come out to his family. Jess actually says, “but you’re Indian! ” when Tony reveals to her that he is gay. Although homosexuality does exist in the Indian culture, it is not accepted or spoken about. When Jules’ mom calls Jess a lesbian in front of her family, the older women have no idea what she is talking about. While British culture may be more familiar with homosexuality than Indian culture, both do not accept it within their own families.
