Representation - Questions.

How is the traditional dysfunctional American family represented?  As it's mentioned in the film, the family have to make some sacrifices as there is now only one parent providing her children/grandchildren instead of two parents, which could make them struggle emotionally and financially. 

How are black people represented?  Black people are normally represented as an aggressive culture who are often linked to antisocial behaviour. This is a result of media's influence on people and how their racist views can be broadcasted to everybody because of their power.

How are obese people represented? Another result which had a cruel influence by the media is that obese people are lazy and are often blamed for their weight because of their poor diet. In a thin approved society, obese people aren't often recognized as human being and are often insulted by their weight; Precious shows that even some parents can verbally abuse their child for their weight issues.

How are women represented? Women are represented in films to be a slim, light skinned, deemed 'beautiful' damsel in distress. In Precious, it shows the opposite as it shows the mother to be a very blunt character whos strength is subversive when it comes towards female stereotypes. Another reason that the movie is subversive is the protagonist is a woman of colour, something that isn't common with female characters in films and that she is neither slim or deemed 'beautiful' by her peers in the film or by the general audience because the media has mislead them on what 'beautiful is.

How is disability represented?  Disability is represented in two ways; depending on how the disabled person behaves. In film, if the disabled character is a good human being who is likeable to the audience, then the audience will take pity in the character and the actor themselves (depending if they're disabled in real life also). However, if the character is a villain or a person who does not have good qualities, then they will not be liked by the audience.

How is American life represented? Similarly to the disabled issue, it depends on how it's represented It could be like hard, gritty dramas and view a rough, American ghetto where the unfortunate live or it can show a nice, area where often the rich/semi-wealthy would live in. This could also affect how the characters behave as well as their area could influence their nature while growing up.