Bend it like Beckham
Bend it Like Beckham Reflection Paper
Bend it Like Beckham displays issues that arise in cross cultured interactions through Jess’ Sikh family and their relocation to Britain. Through the main character Jess, the audience witnesses many issues that a young, ethnic female goes through such as coming of age and religious or family expectations. Jess’ passion for soccer results in many issues for the character to face, yet the soccer field becomes a resolution for the culture and family issues she faces.
In Bend it Like Beckham, we see the way two girls from different cultures experience coming of age, and their parents reaction to them maturing. In both Jules’ and Jess’ cases we see females playing a sport that is dominated by males. Soccer is not seen as a feminist sport, so their dedication is odd. Both characters’ mothers do not approve of the playing, but for different reasons due to their cultures. Jules’ mum believes that she should be doing more girly things and is scared of her daughter’s boy-like tendencies. In the same way, her mum is shaken by the thought that her daughter might be lesbian because of her love of the sport, which is not easily accepted in her household.
Similarly, Jess’ mother does not approve of her daughters love for soccer because of their religious expectations. Jess’ sister, Pinky, is used as an example of what the Sikh woman should go through when she is coming of age. Pinky marries an Indian man, and seems desperate to fulfill her family’s expectations. Jess goes through cultural identity while she decides whether to also fulfill her family’s expectations, or follow her own dream of playing professional soccer. An example of this is seen towards the end when Jules’ mom shows up to the wedding to ridicule Jess for being lesbian. Pinky tells Jess, “isn’t this what you want,” referring to her marriage and the traditional Sikh life. Jess responds by saying she wants something more. This is interesting because this is when we
Bend it Like Beckham displays issues that arise in cross cultured interactions through Jess’ Sikh family and their relocation to Britain. Through the main character Jess, the audience witnesses many issues that a young, ethnic female goes through such as coming of age and religious or family expectations. Jess’ passion for soccer results in many issues for the character to face, yet the soccer field becomes a resolution for the culture and family issues she faces.
In Bend it Like Beckham, we see the way two girls from different cultures experience coming of age, and their parents reaction to them maturing. In both Jules’ and Jess’ cases we see females playing a sport that is dominated by males. Soccer is not seen as a feminist sport, so their dedication is odd. Both characters’ mothers do not approve of the playing, but for different reasons due to their cultures. Jules’ mum believes that she should be doing more girly things and is scared of her daughter’s boy-like tendencies. In the same way, her mum is shaken by the thought that her daughter might be lesbian because of her love of the sport, which is not easily accepted in her household.
Similarly, Jess’ mother does not approve of her daughters love for soccer because of their religious expectations. Jess’ sister, Pinky, is used as an example of what the Sikh woman should go through when she is coming of age. Pinky marries an Indian man, and seems desperate to fulfill her family’s expectations. Jess goes through cultural identity while she decides whether to also fulfill her family’s expectations, or follow her own dream of playing professional soccer. An example of this is seen towards the end when Jules’ mom shows up to the wedding to ridicule Jess for being lesbian. Pinky tells Jess, “isn’t this what you want,” referring to her marriage and the traditional Sikh life. Jess responds by saying she wants something more. This is interesting because this is when we