Boyz n the Hood V. Conflict Theory
Criminal and Gangster movies are produced in the risky actions of criminals or gangsters, mostly netherworld figures, ruthless characters who maneuver outside the set and policies, committing burglary, and forcing their schemes through life. Boyz n the Hood is a film featured in 1991, in the neighborhood of backs, in South Central Los Angeles, California. Steve Nicolaides’ film represents several theories that are employed to reveal poverty and gang violence and their impacts on the black community. Among these theories is the Conflict theory. Conflict theory is demonstrated by the characters of Doughboy and his friends who decide on the wrong path after norms of social rejection. The film, Boys n the Hood, provides a critical summary passing across significant values and messages for a society, whereby the different sets of social classes are the leading root courses of societal conflicts.
Karl Marx, in his Conflict theory, focuses on a conflict between two major classes. Each class comprises of a collection of people destined by mutual benefits and the property ownership degree, frequently supported by their own state (Gallo 156). The bourgeoisie signifies the societal members who make up the majority of the means and wealth, while the proletariat involves the members considered as the working class or the poor. Now, with the growth of capitalism, Karl Marx theorizes that the bourgeoisie is mostly the minority within the society, and would utilize their influence to oppress the proletariat, who are the majority societal class (Gallo 166). Therefore, this way of conventional thinking is snarled to a shared image related to Conflict theory-based models of society. Advocates to this kind of philosophy generally believe in a “pyramid” organization in which a minor team of elites dictates the terms and conditions to the significant share of the society, due to massive control over power and resources.
Conflict theorists, such as Karl Marx, assumes that competition is at times, overwhelming and constant factor in almost every single human interaction relationship, whereby people compete for scarcely available resources. Conflict theorists believe that competition is a default instead of cooperation (Gallo 158). The conflict theorists also assume that one result of conflict is generally a revolution since variations to power differences are habitually sudden and in large scales, as opposed to evolutionary and gradual. Further, these theorists assume that social relationships and structures both experience inequalities of the existing power (Gallo 159). Therefore, those groups and individuals benefiting from a specific societal structure tend to put more effort into maintaining such structures to enhance and retain their power. Conflict theorists tend to see war as either a unifier or as a cleanser of societies. Conflict theory also assumes that war is an outcome of a growing and cumulative conflict between groups and individuals and entire communities at large (Gallo 175). Thus, in the war context, a society may be rendered unified in some means, but the conflict remains between several communities. However, the war may also result in the elimination of the whole society.
In Boyz n the Hood film, Conflict theory gets into the drama through the criminal life and street gangs, as evidenced in the movie. In Boyz n The Hood, the protagonist, Doughboy, is being drawn by the temptation into dangerous and violence lifestyles (Leal 27). Doughboy later becomes part of a gang, and even though he recognizes that this is not a definite choice, he joins due to the feeling that he has no other option. The groups and bands provide a defensive sanctuary for characters like Doughboy throughout America since they build close ties with other gang members (Leal 29). The same scenario is evident in the movie, whereby Darren is being protected from the other gang groups through such ties. Further, the precise instance is when Rickie is brushed in his shoulders by a different rival team (Leal 29).
Moreover, when the band confronts Rickie, the other members on his side join in to support him. Additionally, there is an instance when Ricky is shot dead. Even though the other gang members are absent, the need to avenge for the death of Risky pushes Darren and other colleagues to intensify the war.
This film is relevant to the real-life social processes since it illustrates some of the deviant behaviors that influence young black citizens into crimes (Masukor 110). The conflict theory is visible since the poor youth are fighting for their survival by identifying themselves with a particular group, which are evident in Conflict theory. The wars that are evident in this movie are primarily meant to combat unequal access to economic and social resources (Masukor 110).
The film, Boyz n the Hood, provides a critical summary passing across significant values and messages for society. For instance, the movie, through its application of conflict theory, describes a somewhat backward society whereby the blacks are undervalued and considered to fit in the lowest level of a social ladder. The government should enact laws and policies that are meant to harmonize social classes to eliminate societal conflicts.