The Invisible Children of Ho Chi Minh City

As the level of complexity of human life increases significantly every year, social
interaction has been a great subject to investigate in order to explain how social order and
social behavior is shaped and maintained. In the short documentary attained from
YouTube called The Invisible Children of Ho Chi Minh City, the influence of social
order on individuals is greatly reflected.
The short video walks the audience to different corners and streets in Ho Chi Minh
City, Vietnam, showing them what life is like living as street children. Due to family,
cultural, and economic situations, many families in Vietnam cannot afford a living and
many of the children have to find a way start making money, such as selling lottery,
cigarettes, food, or begging for money. However, street life is more complicated than it
looks like, especially in underdeveloped countries. There are always people who want to
take advantages of street kids, and if one step is wrong, it is very hard to go back. Many
fall for the temptations and false offers; as a result, they unfortunately become prostitutes,
thieves, or drug addicts. Kieu, for instance, joined a gang after leaving her family at such
a young age hoping for a chance to advance in society. Unfortunately, she later got
tricked to sell her virginity for money. In Asian cultures, virginity is everything for a girl,
and losing it before marriage will bring embarrassment to the family. Feeling ashamed of
herself and scared of facing her parents, Kieu continued to work as a prostitute. Even
though she is now married to Phat and has a baby, she emphasizes that for her family and
for money, she will continue to sell her body. The most hearbreaking truth about this
video is that there are still many more children out there living on the streets, living a life
they do not deserve but there is still no help.

This sad documentary is a strong example of power and inequality in society that
happens to influence individuals negatively. Sociologist Emile Durkheim would find this
situation fit in his theory because he believes that social order plays in important role in
shaping our society and once the influence of society is not there, neither is social
integration. Durkheims concern is that without agreement on rules and laws, the division
of labor and gaps between social classes would be increased significantly. His theory
reflects the situation for the street children in Vietnam, especially Kieu. Kieu s despair
and hopelessness is the result of lacking shared experiences and values within her society
and family. The shared values seem to appear subtle in street life as many people care
more about advancing and making more money rather than helping each other.
Similarly, Auguste Comte would view street life for children in Vietnam as a
failure for not following the laws of society. Comte believes that social dynamic and
social statics are what help maintain and hold society together and these ideas also help in
understanding laws of society. Individual and family are basic units of society, so any
changes would disturb social equilibrium. As in this case, family cannot provide the
individuals the emotional and economic support needed; as a result, the individuals join
the division of labor to earn their independence and social recognition. Even though the
motivation that the children have in mind is right, the work choice is wrong, and this
causes social changes. Moral intellect is a key factor in social dynamics, which could
directly influence social harmony. Both people who take advantage of the street kids and
the street kids themselves lack of this aspect. For money and social advancement
purposes, they all commit crime at different levels and alter social institutions. On a
broader view, Comte would be concerned because the laws are broken and the

development of society might be delayed. The father of sociology believes that social
evolution is only possible if social statics and social dynamics co-exist.
On the other hand, Karl Marxs perspective on social order is that power and
control over resources are the factors that directly influence social structure and order. He
believes that it is human creativity that can change and transform everything in society,
including ones destiny. Social inequality is the result of ownership in which the ruling
class is better at transforming raw materials into production. The working class, on the
other hand, lacks the resources to create products. Marx states that work is only a social
activity and can be changed over time. It is not work but the individuals choosing work
who have different interests that can cause social conflicts. In this example, even though
the uneven distribution of resources creates conflict between different social classes, the
workers could have been conscious about their decision to change the working condition.
However, according to Marx, a change can only be possible when the working class
unites. The unfair living and working conditions that the street kids have to suffer should
be the catalyst for changes, and Marx would argue that to destroy capitalism and social
inequality, the kids have to stand up for themselves and consciously revolt for a better
situation.
Social conflict perspective is best represented in this video because in a society
with large gaps between social classes and corruption among governmental branches,
everyone is willing to pay the price to move up. The street children put themselves in
dangerous situations to earn a living and to have a better life, yet human traffickers and
gang members take advantage of them. They are used as tools for others to make money.

Clearly, the world they live in bears no social equality challenging social orders and
moral behaviors.