The intersections of social work, juvenile justice, mental health, foster care, and intimate partner violence are complex and challenging, as they involve multiple systems and challenges that impact individuals and their families. The role of social workers in these systems is to advocate for the needs and rights of marginalized populations, promote social justice and equity, and provide support and services to vulnerable people.
The film Hillbilly Elegy (2020) focuses on themes of poverty, trauma, addiction, and family dynamics and highlights the challenges individuals from marginalized communities face. The film narrates the journey of a young man (JD Vance) from a troubled upbringing in rural Ohio who rises to success in the Ivy League but must return home to help his mother and grandmother. The film’s message highlights the importance of family, perseverance, and the impact of systemic issues such as poverty and addiction on individuals and families. It also touches upon the need for resources and support for those in need, particularly in marginalized communities, and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges.
JD Vance, the main subject in the film, views unemployment and addiction in the Appalachian culture as self-inflicted and rooted in “learned helplessness.” However, Vance’s view is narrow and oversimplified, ignoring the systemic and structural factors contributing to these issues (McCarroll & Harkins, 2019). This viewpoint can perpetuate stereotypes and stigma and undermine the complex and interconnected challenges that marginalized communities face.
Unemployment and addiction are not self-inflicted issues but are products of various factors, including poverty, lack of access to education and job training, systemic discrimination, and historical trauma (Fincher, 2020). Like any other cultural group, the Appalachian culture is diverse and complex, and to suggest that the entire culture is rooted in learned helplessness ignores the agency, resilience, and strength of the individuals and communities that make up the region. For Vance to suggest that unemployment and addiction are self-inflicted and rooted in learned helplessness is a reductionist and harmful perspective that disregards the systemic and structural factors that contribute to these challenges.
JD’s Mother Struggles with Substance Abuse
JD’s mother, Bev, is depicted as a complex and struggling individual whose substance misuse significantly impacts JD and his family. Throughout the film, Bev is shown to be struggling with addiction which affects her health and relationships. Her substance misuse causes her to be unreliable, unstable, and unpredictable, putting JD and his family in difficult and dangerous situations.
JD’s mother’s childhood experiences, particularly the dynamics between her parents, Mawmaw and Papaw, are shown to have a significant impact on her adulthood. Bev’s childhood was marked by trauma and instability, with her parents engaging in a volatile and abusive relationship. This trauma and instability have had a lasting impact on Bev, contributing to her substance misuse and the difficulties she faces in her relationships and parenting. The film highlights the impact of intergenerational trauma and how childhood experiences can shape an individual’s adulthood.
Adaptability and Resilience
Adaptability, or resilience, is a significant theme in “Hillbilly Elegy.” The film explores the ability of individuals and communities to adapt to the challenges and obstacles they face. At the micro level, JD Vance is depicted as a successful example of adaptability. Throughout the film, JD demonstrates resilience in the face of adversity, including growing up in a troubled household, facing poverty and instability, and overcoming substance misuse (Vance, 2017). He can adapt and persevere through his challenges, eventually attending Yale Law School and finding success.
On the other hand, JD’s mother, Bev, is depicted as struggling with adaptability. Despite her best efforts, Bev cannot overcome her challenges with substance misuse, and her addiction significantly impacts her health and relationships. The film portrays how Bev’s challenges with adaptability are rooted in her childhood experiences and trauma.
At the mezzo level, the film depicts the resilience of the Appalachian community. Despite facing poverty, unemployment, and other challenges, the community is resilient and supportive, with individuals and families working together to overcome obstacles.
Positive Cultural Values in Hillbilly Elegy Film
Hillbilly Elegy depicts several positive values within the Appalachian culture. One of the fundamental values is the importance of family. The film portrays the family as a source of support, comfort, and love, with individuals and families working together to overcome challenges and obstacles (Theobald, 2017). Throughout the film, individuals and families are shown to support one another, providing care and comfort in times of need. This emphasis on community and support highlights the importance of connection and collaboration in promoting resilience and well-being.
Conclusion
Social workers should build trusting relationships with individuals and families in the community and provide support and resources to help them overcome their challenges. Social workers should strive to understand and address the primary causes of the challenges faced by the vulnerable population depicted in “Hillbilly Elegy.” This might involve addressing trauma and the historical and systemic factors contributing to the region’s poverty, unemployment, and addiction.
In summary, engaging in social work practice with the population depicted in “Hillbilly Elegy” requires a culturally responsive, holistic, and trauma-informed approach. Social workers should build relationships with individuals and families, provide support and resources, and address the root causes of their challenges to promote resilience, well-being, and success.
References
Fincher, R. (Ed.). (2020). Creating unequal futures?: Rethinking poverty, inequality, and disadvantage. Routledge.
McCarroll, M., & Harkins, A. (2019). Appalachian reckoning: A region responds to Hillbilly Elegy. West Virginia University Press.
Theobald, P. (2017). Hillbilly elegy: A memoir of a family and culture in crisis. Journal of Research in Rural Education (Online), 32(8), 1–3.
Vance, J.D. (2020). Hillbilly Elegy. Watch Hillbilly Elegy | Netflix Official Site. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.netflix.com/watch/81071970?trackId=255824129&tctx.
