Hunger Games Sociology (Essay Sample)

Name: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Course: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Institution: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Tutor: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX @2016 Abstract Drawing attention from Suzanne Collins series on the "Hunger Games”, it is vital to consider that the author takes a closer view in the trilogy that relates to the violent actions in the world, a factor that helps in understanding the brutal and violent actions towards children which is real and not fictional and thus playing a role in its abolishment through social actions (Skliar, 2013). The author of the movie depicts issues such as forced labor, sex trade and the inclusion of child soldiers in the society, thus clearly describing the social evils that have combated the world and that need social actions to change. Introduction The primary aim of this paper is centered on giving an in-depth analysis of the proponents of social stratification as depicted in Panem against that of Australia in light of a sociological theory. As a result of the vast disparities in terms of economics in Australia, the formations of classes and districts have taken prevalence in this society (Skliar, 2013). The Australian society is now classed to entail the upper middle classes, the capitalists, the middle class, working class, and the poor and under classed individuals. The upper classes within this society make up one percent of the whole population while the other classes only constitute the remaining percentage (Skliar, 2013). As a result of this, an income gap has been developed between these classes that are attributed to the simultaneous concentration of wealth and power at the disposal of the economic elites while the living standards of the rest of the classes is seen as deteriorating. The aspect of social stratification is therefore prevalent in the Australian society as a result of the divisions in class. Social stratification in this case infers to the categorization of people in terms of social factors such as wealthy and education. It is not only limited to society but also applicable in global perspective. Sociologists have different ways of describing social stratification; for instance, colonialism and neocolonialism. Another mode of global stratification is in terms of the level of industrialization of nations e.g. most industrialized, moderately industrialized and least industrialized countries; this is one of the global perspectives of stratification as described by various sociologists, (Simmons, 2012). Comparison between social stratification in Panem and Australia The divisions within the Australian society into several classes can be viewed as the aspect that has given rise to the proponents of discrimination that can be a representation of the development of stereotypes towards the behavioral patterns depicted in the Hunger Games (Skliar, 2013). In this case, the author of the Hunger games depicts the manner in which the social classes have reshaped the identities of the lower and the upper classes that is relevant and can be depicted in Australia as well. The element of stereotyping is in this case enacted by the upper classes, which are considered as the ruling class that defines its means and goals in the Australian society. This therefore means that the higher position in the upper hierarchy also known as the ruling classes have the power to enact the classification of the entire society without any consultations from the lower classes (Skliar, 2013). The establishment of social stratification leads to social stigma and rejection within the Australian society especially among the individuals in the lower class background. This enacts a boundary between the lower class individuals and the upper classes who believe that the lower classes are oppressors, thus leading to social arrest in Australia thus resulting in social stratification. Class discrimination is one of the essential factors that are prevalent in the Hunger Games as symbolized by one of the characters known as Effie. Effie is described as an escort for the 12th District Hunger Games competition and was considered to be one of the residents who came from the wealthy and powerful Capitol (Skliar, 2013). She according to the author plays a role as one of the members of the upper echelon within the hierarchal system of Panem and who had no experience of the sufferings that were experienced by the individuals who lived in lower standards in the district. This clearly gives a depiction of the stratification within this society. The hunger games were conspicuously dominated by social stratification where a boy and a girl battled out until death in a live TV. This was an entertainment to the wealthiest who took that as leisure. The people in the lower district where not given basic training prior to the hunger games unlike the persons of the upper districts, so the probability of them winning the games was very minimal, actually they could hardly win the game. In Australia same stratification is prominent among the Australians; the poor are living in the most remote areas where they can hardly get the basics of life. The rich live in flashy areas such as capitols, and the wealthiest regions. In competitions such as football and rugby, rarely would you find a player coming from among the poor, since they are not given a chance to grow their talents just like the kids from the rich. Just like the nation of the Panem, working hard was the only way to live a better life, but this was not actually the reality in the hunger games, (Hage, 2006). Social mobility .i.e., moving from one class to another was so difficulty for a person in the lower districts. This is the true image in the Australia; people in lower social class are so limited in their abilities such that they cannot achieve their hard worked dream. Despite their hard working character they hardly move from the lower class to the upper class. The nation of the Panem was too stratified, such that persons in different classes felt a difference in terms of rights and capabilities. They were highly disadvantaged to win any hunger game from the upper class kids (Piff, 2013). Translating this to the Australian society, the poor or the individuals in the lowest social class in terms of wealth can hardly meet the living standards of the upper districts, simply because they are not given a fair platform to compete with their counterparts in the upper region. It is additionally essential to consider that one of the primary similarities between Panem and the United States is in the different levels of social classes (Piff, 2013). These differences in social classes are considerably highlighted both in the day-to-day lives of the characters that are presented in District 12 and the Capitol including the opportunities for the children within these regions to have a successful future. However, it is also essential to consider that there is a lack of contrast between the fashion-focused citizens of the 12th District and the Capitol since citizens from the Capitol are only concerned about their appearances while those that reside on the 12th District struggle to ensure that they have food on the table (Piff, 2013). This depicts stark similarities of the social and financial disparities in Australia today. This can be seen in the manner in which the rich individuals within Australia spend their millions on frivolous items while some of the Australian population stand homeless, living on welfare, unemployment and are struggling to exist within the society. Similarly, the movie gives a depiction of the children from the higher social classes in Panem who are considered to be wealthy and reside from the wealthy districts. These children are considered to stand better chances of competing in the Hunger Games since they have the required resources that would aid them in training for the Games since there childhood (Piff, 2013). As a matter of fact, many of the tributes from these districts frequently volunteer in the competitions. On the other hand, the children from the poorer districts such as the 12th District are always handed a death sentence in the event that their names are mentioned at the "Reaping," and are always not prepared to compete since they in many instances lose. Additionally, with the increase in tuition rates in learning institutions based in Australia and the competitive nature of these institutions that is associated with the processes of applications, it is arguable that there are some few children whom their parents may afford to meet the college fees, a factor that hinders the children’s capacity to enjoy the unique experiences that may aid them in standing ou...