Beckham Stereotypes

Stereotype generally refer to a statement made from members of society or a widely held idea or image about a certain group regarding appearance, culture, disability, etc. Over the years, there have been many stereotypes and labels put on Indians. The movie “Bend it Like Beckham” has shown a lot of such assumptions. The movie uses the life of the main character, Jasminder, to create a representation of Indian Culture.

In the movie, both Jasminder and Joule’s mothers hold a stereotype of how women should behave in their respective cultures. In the starting scene Jasminder’s mother says that she is not proud of her playing football .She says, “She (Jasminder) should not be running around with all these men, showing her bare legs to 70,000 people. She is bringing shame to the family and you three (people taking her interview) should not encourage her. Jasminder you get back home now.” This scene sets up a theme that continues throughout the movie, that Jasminder is struggling against the stereotypical idea that Indian women have their responsibilities in the kitchen, not on the football...