In the 2000 film, "Billy Elliot," we meet an eleven-year-old boy who struggled to come to terms with his passion for ballet. Jamie, Billy’s father, was quick to forbid him from taking lessons, expressing that ballet is a female pastime; currently this statement remains relevant because the gender social norm still discriminates between what is traditionally male and female activities. Throughout the film, Billy finds himself torn between doing what he is passionate for and pleasing his father by conforming to be labeled as just another ‘normal’ boy who participates, in a boy's pastime.
The film points blame at society as the main source of the problem. Although Billy’s father was quick to react angrily when he found out about his son’s drive to become involved in a traditionally feminine hobby such as ballet. Society’s influence is exhibited through Billy’s family not accepting him based on a feminine pastime that he chose over boxing. Throughout the movie Billy isn’t afraid to combat any obstacles that are put in his way to achieve his goals. Despite his father dealing with the death of his wife and the coal miners strike, finding out that Billy was interested in ballet and not what the stereotypical boy should be interested in potentially worried him that society wouldn’t accept his son for who he was. Although gender social norms have improved today compared to the early '80’s, plenty of children, teenagers, and adults still struggle on a daily basis to be accepted by society.
When Billy’s father finds out about Billy’s secret ballet lessons, he scolds him and is quick to question his son’s interest in ballet. His father states: “lads should be playing football, boxing or wrestling, not doing ballet.” Unlike the short video, Billy doesn’t feel the need to mold himself into being the aggressive, masculine individual accepted by society. This scene shows how society labels certain activities as either...