TV Families and Real Families Essay -- Family, television

As early as 1950, television families have depicted not only the mien of life we live today, but also the way we ought to live (Tueth, 2003). Hence, television has continued to present comedies about family life that ranges from the didactic model of domestic conventionalist and gradually to non-conventionalist slipway of life. By conventionalist, I mean the depiction of the nuclear family that consists of clear roles, responsibilities, and gentle lines of authority that flow from the wise dad and understanding mom to the obedient children (Kutalas, 2005). Examples of these types of shows between 1947 to 1990 that constructed more than 60% of family sitcoms included The Cleavers, The Cosby Show, Father Knows Best, Family Ties, and Growing Pains (Morgan & Signorielli, 1990). The original nuclear families portrayed in shows such as Father Knows Best, were also delimit as having a father who was the breadwinner, the rule maker, and the mediator of disputes, a mother who was soc iable, witty, and good natured, and an average of 2.2 children that mostly consisted of boys that were obedient, and when confused, they would find out that father did know best, so far about their personal childhood problems. These conventional sitcoms worked as a formula that changed the expectations of viewers who would find these families not only amusing, but instructional and taught moral lessons to each one episode (Tueth, 2003). And by non-conventionalist ways of life, I mean families which were non-nuclear, such as single parent families and gay families. These types of families made up 40% of the family sitcoms and included shows such as Whos The Boss, Kate and Allie, and Modern Family (Morgan & Signorielli, 1990).Making up more than 80% of the dramatic ... ...thin 22-minutes, but they may also view it in a way to learn how to handle certain family or marital problems (Morgan & Signorielli, 1990).Works CitedBartlett, K. T. (1994) Rethinking Parenthood As an Exclusive Status The need for Legal Alternatives when the Premise of the Nuclear Family has failed. (pp. 879)Kutulas, J, (2005) Who Rules the repose? Sitcom Family Dynamics from the Cleavers to the Osbournes (pp. 49-58)Morgan, M., Sinorielli, N., (1990) Television and the Family The Cultivation Perspective (pp. 333-347) Mahwah, New Jersey Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.Skill, T., Robinson, J., (1994) Four Decades of families on television A demographic profile 1950-1989, daybook of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Vol. 38, Issue 4Tueth, M. V., (2003) Back to the Drawing Board The family in animated television comedy (pp. 133-146)