In many cases, these academic areas are challenging for the students, but Coach Carter teaches him to persevere in spite of these challenges in pursuit of a greater goal.
The most important lesson this film teaches is that the decisions we make today will have lasting consequences. Unlike the previously mentioned lessons, this one is not solely taught by Coach Carter; instead, it is a lesson they learn on the streets that is reinforced by Coach Carter. For Kenyon, this lesson comes in the form of an unplanned pregnancy. Throughout his struggle to handle the possibility of impending fatherhood, Kenyon (and, by proxy, the audience) is reminded that engaging in unsafe sex can, and often does, have very serious consequences. Choosing to indulge in a few moments of pleasure without taking the necessary precautions can derail a life in an instant. Kenyon and his girlfriend are faced with the possibility of having to sacrifice college and the chance for a better life to support a child neither of them are prepared to raise. Ultimately, Kenyon's girlfriend chooses to abort the baby, but this is in no way a choice without its own consequences.
Timo is faced with a decision between following the life modeled by his cousin or the life modeled by Coach Carter. When things get too difficult in the gym, he chooses to follow his cousin's example and take the easy way out, engaging in dangerous, illegal activity instead of persevering and working toward a better life. Ultimately, Timo sees exactly where this life choice can lead when he...
As a result, Timo makes the choice to take the right path instead of the easy one, a choice we should all strive to emulate. Ultimately, this choice takes him away from the prison cell or morgue he was headed toward and puts him in college on a full scholarship.
In watching this film, the viewer can vicariously learn the lessons Coach Carter teaches his players throughout this inspirational story and can further generalize them in a way that is applicable to his or her own life. From this film the viewer can learn that
respect for self, for
authority, and for his or her endeavors is essential. Additionally, the person watching the
movie is taught the value of
discipline and perseverance in all aspects of life, not just those that are enjoyable. This is a film that emphasizes the value of hard work and encourages viewers to do the same. Furthermore, it reminds the viewer that one must strive to do and be their best in all situations, not just the ones that garner the most attention or praise. Most importantly, the viewer is reminded that the choices one makes today will directly impact one's tomorrows. When taken together, the three aforementioned lessons teach the viewer that he or she is a person of value and that he or she should endeavor to work hard and make smart choices so that he or she can ultimately reach their full potential.
