Pursuit Of Happyness Sociology

Watching the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" really opened my eyes, and how society can effect someone. The movie takes place in the 80s, where this African American, Chris Gardner, lost his father at a young age and promises his son to always be there for him. Chris sells these bone xray machines for a living and lately no one is buying them. Eventually Chris's car gets towed due to so many tickets. Chris eventually sells one and decides to move to a hotel since its cheaper, and he gets kicked out of the hotel, due to being so far behind on bills. Chris then has to go stand in line by five, to make sure they have a spot in a shelter. While all of this is going on Chris is doing an internship, which pays no salary. At the end only so many
is chosen, so he is putting himself on a limb. When I watched this movie, I though it related to the Symbolic Interactionism Theory. Throughout the movie Chris is chasing the ideal American dream. Working for a high company, owning nice things, and fitting in with society.
Another way Symbolic Interactionism is used, by the concept of money. Everyone sees money as this great value, and everyone has it. Well Chris cherishes the money he has. Being at one point he only had twenty one dollars in his bank account, he made it work for him and his child. Not many people valued money at the time, due to being higher up in class. Many people were in the upper/middle class at the time, and you have Chris in the working poor class. Speaking of which this involves the Conflict Theory. Since Chris was born into a different society, he views things different. This causes problems because many people that are stock brokers are viewing him as upper/middle class when in reality he is not that far up in class. The movie portrays the meaning of no matter what never get up. Do not let society get you down. When Chris is selling his machines, people make fun of him for carrying it, they look at him funny. He never gives up though, even when doctors tell him no they do not want to buy it. This topic is important to society because society does not realize that what they do can influence what someone does. Society needs to see that they should not put someone down, but instead
encourage them.
Socialization comes into play during the movie; while watching the movie you see his son goes through everything. He watches his dad struggle. When they get kicked out of the hotel, his son screams "Open the door!" while Chris is trying to gather his things. His son learns that not everything in life is great. Especially how at one point they have to run to the shelter everyday to get a spot in line. His son starts valuing his things and his dad more. After Chris's wife leaves him, Chris has to play the role of mom and dad. He realizes how tough it can be. He even has to take his son around to try to sell his machine, because he has no one to watch him and does not have the money to hire someone. As Chirs goes through his internship he realizes that he has to do whatever he can to get this job. He becomes a conformist because he accepts what all he has to go through to get this job. He goes about certain strategies other competitors would not
thing about. Watching this movie, I really took into thought what all was going on. I feel I can somewhat relate to what is going on due to my mom being a single mom at one point. Times were hard, not as hard as Chris's in the movie, but I still can see his point of view. The movie can teach many morals. One can be never let society get you down or control you. Hold your head up high and believe. Anything can happen if you set your mind to it. Another value this movie teaches is never give up no matter how hard times may get. Chris never gives up on raising his son. Neither does he give up on the internship, or even persuading them to look at his application. This movie teaches us many things. If only society would look at the morals of this movie.