Mabao, Michelle Ann S.

May 26, 2017

Film: My Sisters Keeper Soc01.1-ACB
Part 1: Short Synopsis
The film shows the struggles of the Fitzgerald family, how the household was
affected by Kates illness. Sara Fitzgerald, the mother, does not know how to give up on
her daughter that she no longer cares about anything but Kate. Later, Anna, the second
daughter, suddenly decided to sue her parents for medical emancipation, she is no
longer willing to be a donor for her sister. This became a vital point where everyone
started to think and see the bigger picture of their current situation. In the end, it can be
seen how Kates death had an impact on how the rest of the family deals with life as
they moved on.

Part 2: Description of Key Characters

Anna Fitzgerald- is the younger daughter of the Fitzgerald household. She was
genetically engineered baby to match her sisters genes to become her donor.
She grew up thinking that she is a donor child that she needs to keep her sister
alive making her hesitant to live normally.
Sara Fitzgerald- shows what a mothers love can do for her child. She gave up
her law profession to personally care for her daughter and came up with the plan
of having another child to save Kate. She was too focused on saving Kate that
she overlooked her other children. She represented herself as her lawyer when
Anna sued her and eventually returns to being one after Kate died.
Kate Fitzgerald- the daughter with rare leukemia. Kate loved her family so much
she started to accept that she was dying. She blamed herself why Anna cannot
live her life, why her mother focuses on her too much, and why her family is
struggling.

Part 3: Answers to Case Questions and Requisites

1. Explain how the film portrays the following by citing specific examples.
a. Socialization and particular effects of unique individual experiences on the
development of a person.
Kates prom experience was a form of socialization. She was able to
interact with other people aside from her family without being
prejudiced with her illness.
b. Social interaction and how it shapes individual behavior and character.
Kate met Taylor, also a cancer patient. They both shared something in
common and that their interaction became a channel to boost their
confidence. Kate did actually got better after meeting Taylor but it did a
lot worse when he died.
c. Learning as we grow and develop ourselves as part of groups and
organizations.
After Kates death, the Fitzgeralds came up with different coping
mechanisms. They have to move on because Kates death does not
their lives has to stop too. Anna for example started to live normally but
she never forgets that her purpose was to Kates sister and even her
death cannot change it.
2. Pick out one character and based on that character, give examples of his/her:
Sara Fitzgerald
a. Roles: To be a loving and understanding mother; to be a loving and caring
wife; to give everything for her children; to be fair in judging
b. Statuses: Mother; Wife; sister; lawyer
c. Role conflicts: As a mother, Sara is expected to give everything for Kate, but
as a lawyer she needs to be fair and consider Annas opinion
d. Role strains: As a mother, Sara has to save Kate but this also means to
continue making Anna as the donor.

3. How does the film case portray:

Mabao, Michelle Ann S. May 26, 2017
Film: My Sisters Keeper Soc01.1-ACB
a. Master statuses
Kates illness is a portrayal of a master status in the film. It determined
her position in the society. People looks at her and treats her differently
because of her illness that serves to be her master status.
b. Role exit
Before Kate was diagnosed with leukemia, Sara was a lawyer. In order
to be hands-on in taking care of Kates condition, she decided to quit
her job. Her lawyer character affected how shes the dominant in the
household.

4. Explain how the distinction between primary and secondary social groups is
shown.
The primary relationship was shared by the Fitzgerald family. Aside the
fact that family is every societys most important primary group, it was best
shown when Anna realized that she was not born to be her sisters keeper
but to be a sister. The secondary relationship was shared among the
people who shared the same hope for Kates recovery. This groups
includes the doctor, close relatives, and direct friends of the Fitzgerald
family.

5. What type of leadership roles and styles are portrayed in the film?
Instrumental and authoritarian leadership was portrayed in the film. Saras
goal to keep Kate alive even coming up with raising a genetically
engineered child as a means, clearly shows how focused she is in
achieving her goal. Her style was authoritarian, her focus was on her goal
and decisions were mostly made by her, not even consulting Anna if shes
willing to donate or not.

6. In the film, how is Bureaucracy portrayed and what are the characteristics
demonstrated?
Bureaucracy was portrayed in the film with Sara Fitzgerald being dominant
in the family. Technical competence was displayed on how she devoted
her time and family towards the goal of keeping Kate alive.

7. In what ways does the film exemplify the McDonalization of Society?

McDonalization of Society was greatly embodied in the films predictability.
Kates death had left an impact on the Fitzgerald family. It was already
predictable that mostly if not all activities in the future of the family
members will be greatly affected by Kates death. Anna and Saras
character were shown in the end reminiscing their memories with Kate
which is also a predictable activity after someone dies.

Part 4: Conclusion
The film portrayed bits of structural functionalism and social conflict theories.
Firs, structural functionalism was shown in parts of how Anna Fitzgerald was raised.
She grew up thinking that she was born to save her sister because that was the way
people sees her. Her idea about herself was limited by the people around her. Lastly,
social conflict was also shown in the aspect of alienation. The family members support
each other but there were times that their interests are competing and some members
have power over the others. Their situation also shouts an aspect of social conflict
where saving one daughter means endangering the other.
In our daily lives, we are caught in events that can be explained by sociological
theories. Our experience of society in everyday life as we socially interact with others
through the different groups and organizations that we are part of will give us the
meaning on why sociology is the study of self in the context of belonging to a whole.
This is possible because we learn about others when we interact through actions,
symbols, language, and many other forms.