The media through television TV shows depict diversity in families as well as the gender roles. Gender roles are presented since the society has chosen to accept them; however, it is enhanced by the media (Stamps, 2017). This paper will analyze the following three TV shows based on how they represent the family diversity and gender roles.
Full House
This is a sitcom that is centered about three men, a father, brother in law and a friend, made to raise a child after the death of the mother of the child in a car accident. The TV show is established in a family set up. Episode three of the show will be used in the analysis.
Simpson
The show involves a middle-class family with the traditional setup, where the father is the provider, and the mother takes care of the house and the children. Homer and Marge, the father and mother of the family, are blessed with three children, Lisa, Margie, and Bart. Season one Episode two will be used in the analysis of gender and family roles.
Modern Family
Modern family focuses on three families that portray different structures. This TV shows accurately depicts the situation as it is in the present American families (Stanley, 2012). The children learn from the father, while the mother majorly conducts domestic duties. Season one episode four will be used for analysis in the paper.
Introduction
The society upholds gender and diversity in the family, but this is further enhanced by the television programs that we are exposed to through the media (McCarthy, 2011). As such, this paper analyses how the media depicts the gender roles and diversity using three American TV shows. However, the shows provide different styles of family set up. That is, shows such as Simpson depicts fathers as the providers of the family while mothers take care of house duties and children. On the other hand, Full House deviates from traditional roles of the father and mother by proving that even father can take active part in caring for the children.
Literature Review
The media portrays gender and family in different ways. The media shows traditional set up of family where the father is the family provider, and the mother stays at home to care children (Bunker & Bryson, 2016). The sociological process takes place from father to children, and fathers are always right. This is a situation in some American families who still depend on traditional gender roles. For instance, Simpson TV show, Homer, who is the father provides for the family and makes major family decisions despite being a drunkard. Conversely, Marge who is the mother takes care of domestic duties. In fact, this is also evident in The Modern House TV show, in the family of Phil and Clare, Phil works to provide the financial needs of the family while Clare stays at home to provide foe their three children. However, some American families have moved beyond gender responsibilities. Both parents have similar responsibility; either of them can take care of children and provide for the family. For instance, after the death of the mother of the little girl in The Full House TV show, the father, his in low as well as his friend takes the responsibility of caring for the child.
Conclusion
Gender and family roles are still observed in some American families. This paper is important because it enlightens Americans about the role of media in the family gender responsibility. As such, it makes us choose to watch the shows that promote good gender representation. Accurate representation of gender in America will assist in raising families regarding gender as well as enhancing good values. I have observed from the examples of the shows used in this paper that media facilitates gender role bias in the society.
References
Bunker, D., & Bryson, J. (2016). Gender and the media. International Journal Of Market Research, 58(3), 355-379.
McCarthy, A. (2011). An American Family & the Family of Man.
Stanley, T. (2012). The Changing Face of the American Family. History Today, 62(11), 10-15.
Stamps, D. (2017). The Social Construction of the African American Family on Broadcast Television
