Cultural assessment

Cultural Assessment
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Introduction
“Bend it like Beckham” is a movie that revolves around two different cultures. This paper explores the family involved in the films, their social practices, cultural practices, family values and the families’ mode of life. This study also assesses the impact of the family way of life on communication processes and decision-making in the family. Furthermore, this paper validates the effects of every lifestyle represented by each family on child rearing.
Families involved
The story revolves around two families living in England. The story is set in the era of David Beckham reign in football (approximately between 2007 and 2013). There are two major families involved the film, the family of Paxton and the family of Bhamra. The two families reside in London. However, Bhamra family traces their roots back to India where Mr. Bhamra came from before settling in London. Bhamra’s family consists of the father (Mr. Bhamra) the mother (Mrs. Bhamra) and two daughters (Pinky and Jess). The other family in the movie is of Mr. Allan Paxton. The Paxton family consists of the father (Mr. Paxton) the mother (Mrs. Paxton) and their teenage daughter Jules. Mr. Paxton family is a native British household who also reside in London (Chadha, 2002).
Family Processes
Mr. and Mrs. Bhamra’s are Indians living in London, the two heads of the family are conservatives. Mr. Bhamra is the director of the family and makes the final decision affecting the family.

The parents are strict and wish to see that the children follow their tradition practices such as marriage plans, gender roles and observing social functions. For instance, football is considered a male activity and the ‘Bhamras’ would not allow Jess to continue playing football. Jess also knows that the parents would count her rebellious if she manifests affection to a man of a different ethnic group (Joe) publicly (Chadha, 2002).
The Bhamras’ family beliefs define most of the procedures in the family. For example, the father being the head of the family makes the final decision. For the majority of opinion reason, Tony and Joe goes to Mr. Bhamra when they need to side with the family on Jess’ plight. The conservative nature of the family makes communication tough in the Bhamras family. Jess and Pinky had to lie and make up stories to cover up for Jess whenever Jess had a match. The family belief makes it difficult for Jess to mingle freely with Joe (a British man). Jess would avoid any action that suggests her affection towards Joe in the presence of the parents. Unlike Jules, Jess is reluctant to announce the football scholarship news to the family.
The Paxton family is a liberal family the decisions affecting the family are decided by the mother and the father (Chadha, 2002). The family mingles freely with the environment and readily attends a party organized by an Indian family. Mrs. Paxton feels football is a male activity and tries to stop Jules from playing. Mr. Paxton realizes that Jules will not quit football thus negotiates with his wife to accept their daughter’s pursuit for soccer. Communication structure in the Paxton family is open. Unlike Jess, Jules does not have to lie about what she does in the absence the parents. Jules gladly tells her parents of the scholarship immediately because she is assured of their support.
The ‘Bhamras’ and the ‘Paxtons’ value the welfare of their children. Mr. Bhamra cares about Jess feelings. He would even stop her from playing to avoid facing the national humiliation he once faced. After coming to terms that Jules would not change her stand about playing football, Mr. Paxton coaches his wife to convince her that football is not as bad she perceives. The Paxton method of rearing is adequate and promotes free communications and expressions. However, the families still need to learn on when to assert control they seem to agree with Jules decision. The Bhamra’s defensive nature is necessary; however, the family needs to master the art of negotiation and openness for discussing opinions to promote a healthy relationship between parents and children especially those above the age of the majority.
“Bend it like Beckham” is instrumental in complementing family mode of life besides illustrating the dangers involved with rigid cultures.
References
Chadha, G. (2002). Watch Bend It Like Beckham Online Free Putlocker | Putlocker – Watch Movies Online Free. Putlocker.sg. Retrieved 20 November 2016, from http://putlocker.sg/watch-bend-it-like-beckham-online-free-putlocker.html