Describe the strengths and limitations of both the Cultural perspective and the Feminist Theory

Using the movie Moonlight, explain each character using the theory’s (you can rent the movie on Youtube for $4.99 + tax-will be refunded during the selection of the tip once assignment is completed) terms and concepts. In other words, how would this theory help us  understand this character? Use at least 5 professional 
references (peer-reviewed journal articles, studies, books, book 
chapters, etc.) to support the theories. Address the following:
1. Use the Cultural perspective to explain Chiron (1pg)
2. Use the Cultural perspective to explain Juan (1pg)
3. Use the Feminist Theory to explain Juan (1pg)
4. Use the Feminist Theory to explain Teresa (1pg)
5. In summary, describe the strengths and limitations of both the Cultural perspective and the Feminist Theory (1pg)
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Shakira Dawkins
Saint Leo University
Professor B. Hahn
SWK-510 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
October 09, 2022
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Theory Paper 2
Cultural Perspective-Chiron
According to Rogers (2020), to be effective practitioners, social workers must understand
how a client’s culture affects the client’s behavior, perceptions, and life. To achieve this
understanding, social workers must recognize how values, beliefs, philosophies, experiences, and
social structures vary from one society to another. In the film Moonlight, Chiron’s environment
shaped his behavior and/or obstacles that he faced. Throughout the film, one can see almost
immediately the neighborhood where he resided. One can describe the neighborhood of being
“quiet”, because during the film, you never really seen anyone out, hanging out on the porches or
kids running around and playing. However, there were scenes where there was guy, first scene,
who was like the “watch” for Juan. Another scene after school featured the guys who were
bullying Chiron, Terrell and his friend, who appeared to live close by due to them walking.
Going inside of Chiron’s home, as a child, it is seen where he had to boil water to get a hot bath.
Or the next day where he went to school in the same clothes he had on the day before, made him
an unfortunate target to bullied. Terrell made comment on how “tight” his clothes were. Chiron
had one friend, Kevin, who, in a way was affiliated with Terrell and his acts of behavior.
Although Kevin was forced to fight Chiron in one scene, where Chiron was later jumped, Chiron
still confided into Kevin and looked at him like a friend. Chiron’s mom was a drug addict who
was buying from Juan’s accomplice. All things described as abandonment, neglect and povertyridden. Due to such circumstances is how Chiron came about in Juan and Teresa’s lives. (Insert
peer review resource)
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Cultural Perspective-Juan
Feminist Theory- Juan
Feminist Theory- Teresa
Summary: Strengths and limitations of both the Cultural perspective and the Feminist
Theory
Feminist theory is a major branch within sociology. It is a set of structural conflict
approaches which views society as a conflict between men and women. There is the belief that
women are oppressed and/or disadvantaged by various social institutions. (Evans, 2022)
According to Rogers, feminist theory is based on the ideas of feminism, which can defined as the
advocacy of social, economic, and political equality between men and women. (2022)
Strengths of Feminist Theory (more strengths are needed to be added)
Feminist theory is important since it helps to address and better understand unequal and
oppressive gender relations. It promotes the goal for equality and justice while providing more
opportunities for women. True feminism benefits men too and is not only applicable to women.
It allows men to be who they want to be, without being tied down to their own gender roles and
stereotypes.
Through feminism, men are encouraged to be free to express themselves in a way which
may be considered ‘typically feminine’ such as crying when they are upset. In this way, men’s
mental health can benefit from feminism since the shame associated with talking about their
emotions can be lifted without feeling the expectation to ‘man up’ and keep their feeling buried.
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Limitations of Feminist Theory (more limitations are needed to be added)
The main weakness of feminist theories is that they are from a woman centered viewpoint.
While the theories also mention social problems not strictly related to women, it still comes from
that viewpoint. This creates a weakness of perspective, men and women do see the world
differently. If you have a theory that is solely from the perspective of men or women then you are
removing something intangible from that theory. Theories should be put forth that take into
account a woman’s perspective, but the theories should also have the male perspective so that both
viewpoints are clearly visible.
Cultural perspective pervades every aspect of human life, from the mundane to the exotic
or foreign. It affects how people relate to one another and their ability to communicate.
Individuals with dramatically different cultural perspectives may find that they have an
especially hard time understanding why the other behaves a certain way. To a certain extent,
cultural perspective influences the relationships that people have with themselves as well, such
as spiritual, mental and emotional well-being or lack thereof.
Strengths of Cultural Perspective
Regarding the text, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, from a sociological
standpoint, culture is the result of all human endeavors. Culture can be viewed as including all
things human such as norms, values, customs, symbols, thoughts, traditions, politics, religions,
languages, philosophies, and material objects (Barker, 2003; Rogers, 2022; Turner 1998). When
thinking of what strengths it obtains could include it recognizes the relationship between
cognitive development and the social, cultural, and historical context that an individual is a part
of.
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Limitations of Cultural Perspective
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References
Evans, Olivia Guy, August 22, 2022. Feminist Theory in Sociology. Feminist Theory in
Sociology: Deinition, Types & Principles (simplysociology.com)
Rogers, A.T. (2020). Human behavior in the social environment: Perspectives on development,
the life, course, and macro contexts (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Publishing
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Ecological Theory, Concepts, and Principals
Shakira Dawkins
Saint Leo University
Professor B. Hahn
SWK-510 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
September 18, 2022
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Ecological Theory, Concepts, and Principals
Description of the Theory
The ecological theory is a scientific approach to understanding how human beings
interact and develop due to the influence of different environments. The definition of ecological
theory incorporates evolutionary, behavioral, and physical processes into a unified framework.
According to Rogers (2020), ecological theory explains human development by describing
aspects of the individual, the environment, and the interaction between the two. The ecological
theory allows different people to interact with each other to develop their behaviors and attitudes
and influence the environment to ensure a better life. For example, the ecological theory may be
used to determine how students behave outside the school system. These interactions occur
through ecological niche construction and competition for resources, such as students competing
for after-school programs in their environment to improve their reasoning. Niche construction,
in this case, reflects the process by which organisms create habitats for themselves within an
ecosystem or community (Hornborg, 2019). Furthermore, competition may involve the selection
of locations based on factors such as the availability of resources and environmental conditions.
Competition and location concepts are centrally located in ecological theories because they help
to explain why some people do better in life while others face challenges.
Ecological theory has a wide range of ideas and principles that helps in explaining how
ecosystems function and the relationships between their parts. The framework provides a deep
understanding that helps understand ecological theory’s main concepts and principles.
Ecological theory has the principle of ecological succession, which indicates that organisms can
become established in an ecosystem over time. This is related to the ecological theory
microsystem, where individuals interact directly with each other. When interacting, people are
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identified to be displaying a positive attitude, emotions, and physical outcomes. Under the
microsystem level, programs initiated among people are also identified as features that foster
positive development.
Ecosystem structure is another principle highlighted under the ecological theory. This
principle outlines that an ecosystem comprises different people working together to support one
another. This is associated with the macrosystem level, where an individual’s behaviors are
influenced by society’s norms, values, and beliefs. For example, the activities undertaken in
school may be influenced by the social class and culture in which the school is established.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Ecology Theory
The ecology theory is a macro-level theory in nature that describes how people interact
with their physical environment. The ecology theory focuses on interactions between individuals
and their environment and has several strengths that make it more effective, comprehensive, and
on to the point. One of the strengths of this macro-level theory is its ability to provide a general
understanding of how ecosystems work. This understanding may be applied across different
types of ecosystems. This understanding can help study people from different communities. The
ecology theory also strongly influences the explanation of people’s behavior (Klausmeier et al.,
2020). This theory focuses on how people interact with each other and the environment. It
attempts to explain how changes in behaviors of an individual may affect others in the area,
giving a vast share of understanding through the scientific and psychological overview.
The ecology theory also has the strength of being simple and easy to understand, making
it applicable to many psychologists, policymakers, researchers, and scientists over the years. It
can be used across various disciplines, such as education, research, and medical-based purposes.
Ecology theory explains why some people have good behaviors that change over time. This
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provides a framework for understanding the factors that affect people’s behavior. Furthermore,
ecology theory provides a framework for predicting how changes in abiotic non-living factors
will affect populations and explains why some species may become extinct while others persist.
Significantly, ecology theory has helped the government, institutions, and individuals with
knowledge that has reduced some risks and helped in handling some catastrophes that would
have contributed to significant losses. This is supported by the exosystem level, where people
may develop through the influence of others. For example, children may develop due to their
parents’ influence on them.
Despite ecology theory having strengths, it is identified to possess some weaknesses.
First, ecology theory has a weakness where it does not allow scientists and researchers to account
for the behaviors of individuals within an ecosystem. In this case, the theory does not emphasize
the people who had grown up in a negative environment and become successful. Rather, the
theory highlights the individuals who have grown up in a better environment but later become
unsuccessful when exposed to an adverse environment. Another weakness of ecology theory is
that it does not consider individual needs. In this case, the ecology theory limits change in the
environment.
Behaviors and Attitudes of Characters from Moonlight Movie
The ecology theory can be used to explain the behavior, attitudes, and actions of the
characters in Moonlight. Based on the human perspective, the theory states that people have
more than one way of learning. This may be categorized into micro-, meso-, and macro-systems.
Moreover, the theory suggests that people evolve from accommodating traits, life history, and
behaviors. This affirms that people are capable of learning in different ways of undertaking their
activities. People may learn new ways of undertaking their activities through hardship. This is
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portrayed in the movie where the two main characters, Chiron and Kevin, change their life due to
some influences. Chiron and Kevin faced some life challenges when growing up in Miami.
Chiron had bad behavior and was a youngster who had a rough childhood. Chiron was bullied
by other kids at school and even experienced physical abuse from his father, who was an
alcoholic. The bullying and physical abuse accorded to Chiron can be identified as the
microsystem ecological factors that made him behave badly.
On the other hand, Kevin was bullied since he adopted his behaviors based on personal
instincts. This can be demonstrated in Kevin’s development, where he did not want to be like his
abusive parents. For example, Kevin aimed to be different from his mother, who abused him
verbally. Moreover, Kevin developed his behaviors since he did not want to be like his
stepfather, who wanted him to be like them. These demonstrate the mesosystem where Kevin’s
parents wanted him to follow goals aligned with family settings.
Based on Kevin and Chiron’s problems, they developed depression disorder. The two
teens developed a negative attitude toward other people, thus isolating themselves. The incident
of Kevin and Chiron isolating themselves from others can be explained by the species
interactions principle of the ecological theory. Here the two teens are identified to have
interacted through mutualism since they both benefited from the interaction. For example, Kevin
and Chiron developed a sense of peace through taking drugs and abusing alcohol. Moreover,
based on the exosystem, the two teens have influenced each other to participate in alcoholism
and drug abuse.
The ecological theory can help us understand the characters’ behaviors and attitudes in
Moonlight by providing a framework for understanding how different systems interact. For
example, the theory can help us understand how the socioeconomic system affects the characters’
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opportunities and how the family system affects their relationships. Additionally, the ecological
theory can help us understand how the characters’ behaviors and attitudes contribute to the larger
systems in which they live.
In Moonlight, the socioeconomic system impacts the characters in various ways. For
example, the character of Chiron lives in a poverty-ridden neighborhood where drug dealing is
rampant. This limited opportunity structure affects Chiron’s behavior and attitude in several
ways. For example, Chiron is constantly exposed to violence and drug use, which makes him
distrustful of others and leads him to become involved in illegal activities himself. Additionally,
the socioeconomic system also limits Chiron’s educational opportunities, leading to his low selfesteem and feeling like he is incapable of achieving his full potential.
The family system also has a significant impact on the characters in Moonlight. For
example, Chiron’s mother is addicted to drugs, which creates a chaotic and unstable home
environment. This makes Chiron feel neglected and unloved, contributing to his low selfesteem. Additionally, Chiron’s father is absent from his life, which leaves him feeling
abandoned and further contributes to his feelings of insecurity.
Summary of the Theory
Ecological systems theory is a helpful way of understanding how different environmental
factors can impact an individual’s development. It is essential to consider all the different
systems when applying this theory, as each can impact development differently. The four
systems of the ecological theory are the microsystem, the mesosystem, the macro system, and the
exosystem. They are related to ecology in that they represent different levels of the environment
in which an individual lives. The microsystem is the immediate environment, the mesosystem is
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the interactions between microsystems, the macro system is the larger context, and the
exosystem is the indirect environmental factors.
I found ecological systems theory to be very helpful in understanding this case. It was
particularly helpful in understanding the populations and contexts in which this theory is
appropriate and not appropriate. Specifically, I believe this theory is appropriate for
understanding the interactions between different groups within a community and how these
interactions can impact individual development. However, I do not believe this theory is
appropriate for understanding individual development in isolation from the community. Each of
these systems can impact a child’s development in different ways. For example, the microsystem
may provide support and resources to help a child develop, while the macro system may provide
stressors that impede a child’s development. The exosystem may provide opportunities or
constraints that can impact a child’s development, while the mesosystem may provide a context
within which the child’s development occurs.
Ecological systems theory can, for instance, help us understand how the family, school,
and community context can impact a child’s development. However, it would not be appropriate
to use this theory to understand how a child’s development is impacted by their genes, as this
would be ignoring the role of the environment. Another example would be if we wanted to
understand how a community’s economic conditions could impact the development of its
children. Ecological systems theory would help understand how different resources and supports
within the community can impact children’s development. However, it would not be appropriate
to use this theory to understand how a child’s development is impacted by their economic
conditions, as this would be ignoring the role of the community.
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References
Hornborg, A. (2019). Towards an ecological theory of unequal exchange: Articulating world
system theory and ecological economics- review. Ecological Economics, 25(1), 127–
136. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0921-8009(97)00100-6
Klausmeier, C. A., Kremer, C. T., & Koffel, T. (2020). Trait-based ecological and ecoevolutionary theory. Theoretical Ecology, 161-194.
https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198824282.003.0011
Lindenmayer, D., Harris, J., & Perring, M. (2020). Improving restoration programs through
more significant connection with ecological theory and better monitoring. Frontiers.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2020.00050/full
Malik, A. A., Allison, S. G., Martiny, D., Martiny, K., A. C., & Treseder K. (2019). Defining
trait-based microbial strategies with consequences for soil carbon cycling under climate
change. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41396-019-0510-0
Piñeros Garcet, J., Ordoñez, A., Roosen, J., & Vanclooster, M. (2020). Metamodelling: Theory,
concepts, and application to nitrate leaching modeling. Ecological Modelling, 193(3-4),
629-644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2005.08.045
Rogers, A.T. (2020). Human behavior in the social environment: Perspectives on development,
the life, course, and macro contexts (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Publishing