...Modern family was introduced to America as a show about three families, a traditional family structure, homosexual family, and a mixed family that all interact with each other. Keeping Up With the Kardashians are an American family with their own reality TV show, centering around a celebrities everyday life. In analyzing the two popular TV shows Modern Family and Keeping Up With the Kardashians from a feminist perspective, it is evident that American culture in today’s society is either pushing or differing away from the norms of gender roles and hegemonic ideologies. In September 2009, Modern Family first aired on ABC and is not on it’s seventh season. This culturally defining series has now won five consecutive Emmy awards and a Golden Globe award and continues to entertain American with its sitcom. The head of the family is Jay, who is married to a much younger Latin woman named Gloria, and he tires to keep up with her and her passion filled son Manny. Claire, is Jays daughter who is a hard worker but had trouble raising her three kids while her husband Phil is worried about “getting down” or being just like them. Their three kids are Haley, a typical bratty teenager, Alex, who is incredibly smart, and Luke who is very different. The third family is Claire’s homosexual brother and his partner Cameron and together they have an adopted little girl named Lily. Throughout this show we watch the three families go through their everyday interesting lives. Keeping Up With the Kardashians...
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...“TV’s Callous Neglect of Working-Class America” Essay In the article, “TV’s Callous Neglect of Working-Class America” by Noel Murray, the author describes each generation of TV shows and the differences between them. As time goes on TV shows are becoming more unrealistic. Modern sitcoms occasionally mention the 21st century and the struggles, then back away. Even though some shows don’t present the most realistic and down to earth lifestyle, they still express truth in a different way. Despite, the truth in the shows, some still argue that the topic of lower class struggles are avoided. TV shows in the 1950’s through the 1990’s showed actual everyday life struggles. In the article, the author states, “Then in the ‘80s and ‘90s we had Roseanne,...
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...on gay couples in television, especially in comparison to the intimacy shown in cases of straight couples. I was also interested in understanding how audiences feel about such representations. I decided to focus my research on the TV sitcom Modern Family. To gather and analyze in an appropriate manner, I conducted a content analysis of the show’s episode in terms of intimacy shown whether it was physical, emotional or intellectual. To study the impact of the representations on the audiences, I conducted a mini survey using questionnaires. I expected my findings to be a lot more controversial. In fact, people are not bothered by the depiction of intimacy among gay couples. They think it’s natural when telling a couple’s tale to have moments of intimacy. Thus, they were troubled by the fact that even though Modern Family involves a same-sex family, it almost disregards the natural need for intimacy that characterizes all personal relationships. I came to the conclusion that, even though television seems to have progressed and removed taboos, in reality it is as conservative as ever and most of the LGBT portrayals are just an excuse for diversity. Intimacy in televised portrayals of homosexual couples: Modern Family When watching a movie or a TV show that has any kind of a romantic plot, we naturally expect to see intimacy between the couple. Intimacy is crucial in close relationships. Actually, if there is no intimacy of any sort, there is no relationship. It is interesting to...
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...Saying please and showing gratitude is an action children preform in order to receive what they desire. At this point in life, no child understands why they say please or show gratitude, but they learned to say please obtain what they desire. These minuscule colloquies display an unequal distribution of power. Furthermore, a person being asked “please” has the power in the interaction, because they possess something desired by others. In addition, showing gratitude is recognition of power and showing thankfulness for their kindness. Saying please and showing gratitude serve a function in society. These actions are societal norms for asking for and receiving something and children that do not do these things are deviant to societal norms and are ill mannered....
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...was once a platform to display the best qualities found in America has steadily become a means to display the worst. A modern day circus sideshow is just one click of your remote control away. What’s even more concerning is that our children can work the remote better than we can. Former President George Bush Jr. once said, “We cannot blame the schools alone for the dismal decline in SAT verbal scores. When our kids come home from school do they pick up a book or do they sit glued to the tube, watching music videos? Parents, don't make the mistake of thinking your kid only learns between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.”(qtd. in Alexis 247) .The connection between the desensitized youth of our nation and the American mass media is undeniable. American Children spend more than fifty-three hours a week watching TV or using video games, cellphones, and computers (Kaiser Family Foundation). That is an incredible amount of time for anyone, let alone a child. Sociologists believe that the media is used as a means to educate youth in regards to beliefs and values. Youth are shown that their lives can be better or more exciting by taking part in a certain behavior, which in-turn could lead to unrealistic expectations and problems later on down the road (Basirico 44). Television depicts violence as a means to solve problems, whether it is on a cartoon or in an action TV show. The message is in most cases the same; hurt the person making you angry. “ By the age of eighteen the average American...
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...As the program stretched through the early 2000’s, public magazines began to criticize the producers for not incorporating enough racial variety. The writers attempted to include actors that were not of the Aryan race, the way in which they chose to do so did not sit well with the American public. Whenever an African American came onto the set, the entire show seemed to revolve around their race. Rather than allow the actor to function as a normal cast member, attention was drawn to their stereotypical traits such as rhythm, interest in sports, and willingness to engage in recreational marijuana smoking. Also, how can anyone forget “Fez,” the foreign exchange student whose orient was never revealed? Many jokes were made about Fez’s inability to speak proper English, his ideas of western civilization, and even sensual features like his...
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...Assignment 2: Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class (LABR 1F90) 1. What theoretical assumptions underlie the documentary’s major premise that TV depicts working class people as either clowns or social deviants? For the past five decades television shows have used blue collar acting as a means of entertainment, discipline, education and shaping the view of working class people. The working class people were portrayed as class clowns because of their lack of development and the restrictive boundary they had around their social class. Class clowns have bad taste, lack of intelligence, intransigent politics, poor work ethics and dysfunctional family values. Bad taste usually led to lifestyle of a junk culture such as those seen on sitcoms where the husband came late from work to watch television with a beer in his hand. Some television shows demonstrated that families prefer living with a lower income and buying cheaper brand than expensive ones. Class in reality however, is not the same since it is powerfully structured by social forces. As publicized in the film ‘Class Dismissed,’ shows like Joe Millionaire, The Nanny, Extreme Makeover and Extreme Makeover House Edition all tried to show how lower classes have attempted to fit with upper and middle class. Another show known as ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’ argued that it was their main intention to focus on the body and the house. It was known as one of the rare shows that aired on television because of...
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...your husband or wife’ (Bradbury 40). These characters are unable to recall a significant memory of their relationship, which is a harsh effect of the distraction that technology has bought along. Research has shown that the programs that someone watches can affect how they remember (or not remember) certain events in their own life. Studies have shown that,“the TV program generates negative mood experiences... then these experiences will affect how you interpret events in your own life, what types of memories you recall, and how much you will worry about events in your own life” (Davey). It is alarming that a simple TV program may alter your own memories, which is a point that Bradbury clearly made in his novel. Relationships between family members can also be disrupted because of the distraction of technology. When Montag became ill, he needed someone to provide him with help and comfort him during this time of need. Unfortunately, Mildred had become attached more to her 'family' than Montag through the years. Montag noted, “ ‘Will you turn the parlor off? he asked” (Bradbury 46). Mildred responded, ‘That's my family.’ ‘Will you turn it off for a sick man?’ ‘I'll turn it down.’ She went out of the room and did nothing to the parlor…” (Bradbury 46). Mildred’s priorities have shifted from her own husband, to the virtual relationships she believes she has with the televised characters. An analysis of behavioral changes when children were provided with more screen time had shown...
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...American popular culture is many things. It tells us how we should live our life. It lets us know what is in or out. Some things it tells us are what to wear and what we should be watching on TV. The term popular culture was first used in the early 19th century. It was used to define the lower class. But now the term is used to describe what the majority of people like. (popular) Fashion trends seam like they are always changing. One popular fashion trend you see all the time is active wear. It used to be only acceptable to wear it to the gym. But now you will see woman wear it everywhere. Yoga pants are no longer restricted to yoga class; instead, they’re worn with a fancy fur vest for lunch with friends or a visit to Wholefoods. Sporty moisture-wicking zip-up jackets are layered between wool coats and cashmere sweaters. (Sherman)...
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...heterosexual men are seen to be strong and proud of their masculinity and homosexuals have been perceived as lacking masculinity and feminine. Gay characters started to emerge in the 1990’s in both television and movies. Ellen DeGeneres and her character Ellen Morgan coming out under much scrutiny on the TV show ‘Ellen,’ which eventually led to her own talk show. The movie The Birdcage, with Robin Williams was about a gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion. Gays and lesbians have been around for a long time, especially in Hollywood, but more people started to come out in the 90’s. With the popularity of shows like Will and Grace, which feature leading gay characters, as well as the show Friends, Ross Gellar’s lesbian ex-wife Carol, marries her partner and happily co-parents her son with Ross. Over a period of time we are slowly seeing gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual characters slowly entering into the mainstream media (Campbell, 1). The progression towards the acceptance of homosexuality in the media can be seen in many of the popular shows today. An example is Will & Grace, as well as other television shows such as Grey’ s Anatomy, Greek, Ugly Betty, and Modern Family. Will & Grace would not have been on air if it were not for Ellen...
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...integral part of homes in the modern world that it is hard to imagine life without television. In today’s world, it takes no effort to get a child’s attention. From food products to virtual entertainment; from toys to clothing, all ages of children are susceptible. Children love to watch TV and prefer to stay “glued” to the TV screen all day, rather than playing outside. Is it true that children consider television to be significant in their daily lives? “Television has become a "member" of almost every single family on our planet. And not just an ordinary member, but a very important one, because the time spent next to it exceeds the amount of time spent together with any other family member”. (Watterman, Alex 2010.) Some people can argue that children should be allowed to watch a lot of television because it is educational. However, I believe television has a 50/50 effect on children. Well what do you mean? What can prove otherwise that makes you believe that chidren are effect in good and bad ways? Children learn through the action of others that they can gain what they want through being stronger and treating other people like they are inferior. Statistics have proved that the growth of time spent next to the TV-set scales up the development of aggression (Watterman, Alex. 2010.). However, with the increased rate of working parents, most children come home from school and are left alone or with a babysitter who may not care what the children watch on TV. Unless parents supervise...
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...housewife was the epitome of a woman. She had poise and grace and cared for her family more than having a career. She had a smile on her face, dinner on the table, and her child always used please and thank you. At least on TV. Fast forward 50 years and much has changed in our history and the way that women are portrayed on television. With women no longer expected to give up their careers in order to raise a family, working moms are represented more with each passing decade. Two television shows that can be examined to explore the difference in television’s portrayal of housewives are I Love Lucy from the 1950s and Desperate Housewives from the 2000s. While the shows premiered more than a half a century apart, there are many similarities in the shows. And that’s not on accident. After World War II ended, men came home and families started growing and prospering, able to buy things they had to go without during the rough wartimes. With servicemen home and the baby boom well underway, women were expected to reclaim their dominance over the home, while their husband’s reclaimed dominance over them.1 Housewives were to be seen more than heard, all while keeping a smiling on their face. No one talked about their problems, because they didn’t really have any. The white picket fence was always perfect and no one ever raised their voice or drank too much, at least on the outside. The rapid expansion of TV sets entering homes for the first time propelled the creation of programming to...
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...William Ryals December 3, 2013 Black Identity and Culture Prof. W. P. Holbrook S116 Exploring the Views of Marriage and Family in African American Films, Stereotypes and TV Shows Good Times. The Jeffersons. The Cosby Show. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The list goes on; all of these shows are viewed as classics and are some of the most highest-rated television programs of all-time. Another commonality amongst these shows is that they all center around African American main characters and or families. Many of these shows dealt with the many problems the African American community faces. While African Americans are viewed in a mostly positive light, throughout television history many stereotypes were reoccurring on popular TV shows, movies and in the media. Although improved, the idea of stereotypical characters is still prevalent in modern society. One character that comes to mind immediately is Sheneneh from the hit TV show Martin. She was a loud-mouthed hair stylist, who was the stereotypical face of a ghetto woman in Detroit. In an episode that aired in 1997 titled, “Martin: Power to the People’s Court”, Sheneneh gets into a car accident and she makes the comment “I don’t [have any car insurance], Tommy, and now I ain’t goin’ to be able to get none is what I’m tryna tell you!” This reinforced the stereotype that African American women drive around without car insurance. Sheneneh isn’t alone when it comes to these types of characters; in the Barbershop film series there...
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...The credit card world is changing along with the 21st Century and leading the way is American Express (AmEx) by offering a first-of-its-kind innovation by partnering with four external environment television networks. The four ways AmEx is externally reaching diversity is through a T-Commerce Program with FOX Broadcasting Company, NBCUniversial & Zeebox, BrightLine, and Shop Small Provincetown (Forbes). AmEx is strengthening their clients’ shopping experience at their fingertips, with access to purchasing items on phones and computers, which also includes thirty-second commercials launched across all gaming consoles, tablets, telecom companies’ satellites and cable to reach their diverse consumer ("America Express News: Press Release.", 2012).. Targeting ranges from mothers and teens to Hispanics, members of the LBGT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community and many other diverse groups of people (Forebs). AmEx is reaching the people who drive their company forward by finding out who has more pull in the purchase decisions made in a particular household. They also analyze how certain age groups purchase their merchandise, how to advertise to those who need support in purchasing a product, and more importantly partnering and sponsorships with Human Rights Campaign (Forbes). Through the partnership with the four companies, AmEx helps to reach their consumers more easily, and make purchasing more accessible. Partnering with a broadcasting company opens many...
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...1. Television (TV) shows like Growing Pains, The Cosby Show, or Family Ties are known as the classic nuclear family, or as you may know, the all American Family. As we can see from these TV shows, the classic nuclear family is a married couple with their children. Good Morning, I am Technical Sergeant Ramon Aguilar and I will be speaking to you on one of the 12 Domains of Culture, Family & Kinship, but more in-depth on Family Size and Structure and Marriage. I will now like to go into more detail on how the current family size and structure in American culture is evolving, followed by how those dynamics play a role in marriage today. Let me begin with family size and structure. 2. In 1960’s your typical classic American family consisted of...
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