The social and psychological viewpoint in popular films over the past decade has altered in a number of ways. Portrayals of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and other minorities like homosexuals have become more broad and representative of the social and psychological realities of such groups. Likewise, portrayals of women and minority women have been expanded to deal with issues they face, both of a social and psychological nature. Four popular films in particular demonstrate this broadening of social and psychological perspectives of women and minority groups in American society: Antwone Fisher, Girlfight, Bend It Like Beckham, and Billy Elliot. In these films, we see barriers to development brought into the open for women and minorities, in addition to illustration of the role that sex and gender norms of society play in individual development.
In both Antwone Fisher and Girlfight, we see that the main characters respectively, Antwone and Diane, are exposed to a number of risk factors that act as barriers to their development. This is particularly true with respect to resiliency. We also see how race, ethnicity, gender, and class all combine to influence individual development. Such social elements present barriers to individuals as they try to mature into young adulthood with the resiliency that enables them to cope with life challenges and stresses. Both films demonstrate the significance of the role that social context plays in human development. In Antwone Fisher, we see a number of risk factor of youth that prevent him from finding happiness and fulfillment as an adult. Antwone cannot cope with anger or stress. When he is confronted with them, he resorts to violent outburst and fistfights. Ordered to see a Navy psychiatrist due to his inability to cope, Antwone tells him he fights because thatÆs the only way some people learn. Dr. Davenport says in reply, ôBut you pay the price for teaching themö (Wa...