Sociology concepts and applications

Television Shows

Since the 1950s, television has become an increasingly vital part of life, providing both an escape from the pressures of everyday life as well as offering social commentary. Television shows that center on family life have historically been among some of the highest-rated shows. One of the reasons why these shows are among the most popular are that they reflect the realities of actual families and family problems yet do so in a unique and refreshing way. In order to understand the role of television in explaining family structures, it is necessary to compare television shows from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with contemporary television shows.

TELEVISION SHOWS COMPARED

There are numerous similarities and differences between television shows of the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s that center on family life and television shows depicting contemporary families and family forms. In general, television shows have adapted to reflect changing family structures, typical and atypical family life, social constructions, etc. Television shows both reflect and distort the realities of actual families and family problems in each era.

During the 1950s, television shows that centered on family life generally portrayed an idyllic picture, one of balance and harmony. Some of the most popular family shows during the 1950s were the Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, and My Three Sons. The common theme of these shows was a harmonious family life, one in which the father provided the guidance primarily and offered discipline in a gentle yet firm way. In most (if not all) of the family-centered shows of the 1950s, the family was depicted as nuclear (i.e., a father and a dad, white picket fence, two kids, etc.). For the most part, this was true of actual family life. Problems were few and far between in these television shows and generally took the form of the children acting out a prank. Upon discovery of the prank, the father figure would usually sit down with the child and calmly and rationally explain why the prank was wrong based on a set of moral principles.

In the 1970s, television shows focused on family life were somewhat more progressive, especially when it came to reflecting the changing roles and growing independence of women. Popular family-oriented television shows during the 1970s were All in the Family, the Brady Bunch, Little House on the Prairie, the Partridge Family, and Rhoda. Generally these shows reflected the nuclear family as well as society at that time. For example, shows like All in the Family did not gloss over the fact that a war was going on or that youth were increasingly taking drugs and becoming more politically and socially active. Likewise, shows like Rhoda showed the struggle that women had between wanting to become educated and enter the workforce yet desiring to be the "model housewife."

During the 1980s, television shows again reflected the growing independence of women and the changing role of the family. Popular family-oriented television shows during the 1980s were the Cosby Show, Family Ties, Growing Pains, and Roseanne. Like the shows of the 1950s and 1970s, the family was traditionally represented as being nuclear, i.e., father and mother with two kids. The difference is in how family life was depicted in general as well as the topics that were discussed. For example, rather than presenting family life as being calm and without disagreement, these television shows offered viewers a glimpse of couples (as well as children) fighting over issues common to every family (i.e., financial difficulties, social problems, etc.). By acknowledging that families disagree and that children engage in such activities as drinking, drugs and sex, these television shows were arguably more "reality-based" than those from 1950.

Contemporary television shows provide a somewhat more accurate depiction of family life as well as contemporary society. One notable thing about contemporary television shows is that the focus on the nuclear family has changed, likely in a nod to the fact that many families are not nuclear, at least not in the historical sense. Today there are shows that reflect single dads (and single moms) raising children on their own and the unique issues that arise (i.e., parents dating, financial difficulties, etc.). Likewise, there are shows that reflect the issues related to gays and lesbians who wish to have children. There are also television shows like Friends and Sex in the City that acknowledge the fact that not everyone is married or even rushing to marry. However, while these shows have been progressive in dealing with topics such as abortion, date rape, drug abuse, and premarital sex, these shows have also sensationalized life somewhat by glancing over (for the most part) the fact that a certain percentage of today's children are just as innocent as the children depicted in the television shows of the 1950s.