The Line Documentary Analysis

The documentary, “The Line”, shows how social structures and social institutions impact different individual’s lives and situations. John is a single dad who is 48 years old and tries to provide for his one daughter and two sons as they live in poverty. He used to be the senior vice president of a bank, making at least six figures, being able to provide more than enough for his family. However, his life took a toll when he decided to go on his own and acquire banks. Family and Kinship is a social institution that is meant to “regulate procreation, for the initial socialization of new member of society, and for mutual support” (Hutchison, p. 270, 2012). However, as John’s family started to be in a financial crisis, his wife filed a divorce, leaving him and her children behind. This social institution is meant to be one where individuals support each other in times of crisis by bringing happiness and hope to the situations. But
As a social worker, I would try my best to connect John to programs and services that can help him with food, clothing, and shelter if he needed it. I could also help him to find a sustainable job that will get him back on his feet. On a macro level, I could educate people about better social welfare and I could promote an increase in the social welfare institution. In our textbook, it is explained that European countries have “higher minimum wages and more generous unemployment compensation than the US,” including “housing benefits, heat and light benefits, food benefits, child care benefits, as well as monthly unemployment payment, in addition to continued access to public health care” (Hutchison, p. 263, 2012). I feel like if there were more benefits opportunities given to people that are in John’s situation, it could help them get out of a financial crisis and be able to support themselves