The video that I chose is called What happens when a homeless person is given

$100,000. It is from the documentary Reversal of Fortune (2005). It explores a homeless man
named Ted, living in the streets of Pasadena collecting recyclables in order to get his daily meal
and drinking habit. This documentary focus of weather homelessness is prevalent of nature or
personal choice. Ted finds $100,000 in one of the dumpsters in a briefcase. His perspective on
life changes after that. Before, finding the money Ted blamed his family for the lack of support
and negative childhood f or his homelessness. After finding the money he changes and begins
buying expensive items and family members and friends begin to befriend him to share his
fortune. At the end of the documentary Ted is left with no money as the result of him wasting his
fortune in motel rooms, cars, and girlfriend. He ends back to becoming homeless. His experience
was one based on himself and his choices, after all.
The Functionalism theory states society is based on parts that make up society as a whole.
Like sociologist Herbert Spencer believed that society functioned like the human body since ach
organ is like the whole body. Emile Durkheim theory is that people served different functions in
society and their ability to do the job depend s on others ability to do theirs. This theory see
society as a complex system that had many parts working together. Therefore, individuals make
up society. Durkheim also believed that one has to look at social facts which include values,
customs, moral, traditions, and religion.
Durkheims theory would view Teds experience as insecurity for housing. Housing is
important because it provides one with a home where they can rest and symbolically is a social
economic style. Like the theory sates society functions like the human body. Without housing, a
person can function in society successful. Owning a home is part of the American Dream that
is seen as an achievement that one has to earn. Even renting having a place to live and call home

is seen positive to society. If a person works and earns wages they can rent a place or save up
money to own a home. This is part of the counterparts making up a whole.
The conflict theory looks at society as a completion for limited sources. People are
competing for power, money, housing, entertainment, and social structures. Karl Marx believed
firmly in this theory. He believed that conflict arise from class struggles and economic
inequality. Marx would view Teds experience as a conflict because there are people on top and
in control meanwhile he is a lower class citizen and disadvantage. The ruling class is oppressing
the less fortune. I think Ted although he can work and sustain himself without being given
money is still at disadvantage because of economic wealth and social power. In today, society
one has to be educated in order afford buying luxurious which is not an easy task since everyone
is competing for the same thing. Which means not everyone is going to be able to reach that
goal. In addition, there is also social tensions because of discrimination and racial groups. In
Teds case people would judge him because he is Caucasian and in the streets. Society views
whites as the ruling class and when one member of their class doesnt follow that norm there are
view as the minority and often isolated.
Auguste Comte, called the father of modern sociology believed in positivism. Which is a
way of understanding based on science. He believed that there are laws in which society can be
order and human interaction that can be discovered in order to create a society that is peaceful
and justify. Comte would view Teds experience as a law that he didnt follow therefore he is in
the situation based on his own fault and choices he made. Society therefore changes constantly
based new theories are discovered affecting peoples choices. Society can never be peaceful
because no one seems to agree upon one thing. Everyone wants to prosper in their own way.

Conflict theory is most represented in this video because there are injustices among
classes due to economic power. Ted, the homeless will always be competing for power and
oppress from the rich because he doesnt have support and self resilience to prosper and have a
good life. It can be demonstrated from the result since he goes back to being homeless after
having the money because there are roadblocks preventing him to move up the class structure.
There is a labeling stigma attached to him because he is in a wealthy city and a Caucasian living
homeless. His values, morals, attitude affected him how he views life because he did not grow up
in a happy childhood which also adds to the reason he feels helpless.