Instruction
In a 3-4 page paper (double spaced, not including a title or a citation page), you are going to analyze the changing media representation of the family. Specifically, you must choose two sitcoms from two different decades that represent the family. In your paper you must address the following questions (in essay format, not question/answer).
What is the structure of the family/families portrayed in your sitcoms (some sitcoms may focus on a single family, others multiple families)? If there are multiple families, is the structure similar in all, or very diverse?
How are the family structures different in the two decades? Explain why they are different by tying your analysis to the text's discussion of how the definition of family has changed over time. Discuss some of the recent trends in families including single parents, gay/lesbian families, grandparents as parents, etc.
How is race/ethnicity explored or portrayed in your sitcoms? If it's not, write you can write about that in your analysis. Have the race/ethnicity messages changed over time? Give specific examples.
How are gender roles and gender role socialization portrayed in your sitcoms? Do the roles of men and women change over time? Give specific examples.
What are the romantic relationships included in your families, and how are they represented? Do these kinds of relationships change over time? Why?
Is parenting represented in your sitcoms? How? What roles do fathers and mothers play? Are both mothers and fathers present? What are the specific parenting styles used?
You are required to provide acceptable academic references for any facts, figures, data, or any other assertion you make in your paper. You are also required to demonstrate what you have learned all semester by supporting your claims using information from the course text. You must have at least 3 references. One of those references must be the text and the other two should be legitimate academic resources. In your analysis, you must include at least 3 concepts/terms discussed in class. Please clearly identify those concepts by making them bold or underlined. Please cite all references used. Please use APA (American Psychological Association) style consistently throughout your paper. Here is a guide on how to write in APA: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html (Links to an external site.) . Below is a list of family-related sitcoms from different decades to get you started- you are not limited to this list.
8 Simple Rules
Grounded for Life
American Dad
Reba
Everybody Hates Chris
The Middle
Modern Family
Hannah Montana
Two and a Half Men
What I Like About You
Blackish
Ramy
Last Man Standing
Fresh Off the Boat
Parenthood
The Fosters
This is Us
The Goldbergs
Fuller House
One Day at a Time
Six Feet Under
The Connors