The Modern Day Family Essay

Introduction, significant changes in families, are families becoming weaker or different, the concept of family has grown stronger, reference list.

Presently, there has been a re-orientation from the nuclear family model of the 1960s resulting in a shift from collective happiness to individual-oriented families which prefer the concepts of personal freedoms as well as their individual happiness. It is the opinion of this paper that the changing nature of the present day social environment, in the form of work constraints and perceived social obligations, causes the problems that American society faces today.

Presently, the concept of “family” within the United States has taken a significant shift wherein the traditional nuclear family has given way to individualism instead of collectivism. This has, supposedly, caused several of the problems society faces today such as increased instances of divorce, extra-marital affairs, domestic violence and the spread of various crimes. Instead of a tight-knit social group, families are increasingly composed of disparate individuals who do not consider their families as the crux of their lives (Ruggles, 1994). It is the opinion of this paper that the changing nature of the present day social environment, in the form of work constraints and perceived social obligations, causes the problems that American society faces today.

The main significant change in families since the 1960s has been a re-orientation from collective happiness to individual-oriented families which prefer the concepts of personal freedoms as well as their individual happiness (Ruggles, 2009). While families are presently considered as a social unit, its individual members are, more often than not, concerned with their personal endeavors in the form of work constraints and their perceived social obligations (Gerstel & Gallagher, 1993).

As a result, the concept of “family” is no longer a central tenet in their lives and merely acts as a means of describing the social obligations of a parent to their child and vice-versa. While elements associated with individualism and collectivism do exist in any culture, there are variances wherein one culture may lean towards individualism or collectivism (Holahan, 2010). In some cases, one culture may espouse collectivism in one generation and shift to individualism in another. This is what occurred in the U.S. wherein a change in the social environment advocated individual achievement and a focus on being independent from one’s parents. Work and social obligations shifted the current orientation of people in the U.S. from family oriented to individually oriented.

From a collectivist perspective that focuses on family bonds, it can be stated that families are getting weaker; however, the concept of what constitutes a family has been changing within American society. For example, single parent families are a more familiar concept now than they were in the 1960s. Not only that, gay parents are now legally allowed to adopt children which creates a whole new dynamic on the concept of the traditional nuclear family (Khimm, 2015).

While it is true that families are more individualistic, this altered dynamic has given rise to new social norms. Examples of this come in the form of greater acceptability of sexual promiscuity, the prevalence of single women who are focused more on their careers as well as people opting to get married later on in life (Timmermann, 2013). These are social concepts that would have been considered as horrendous during the 1960s yet are now thought of as commonplace.

While it is true that individualism has overtaken collectivism in the present day structure of families, this does not mean that families have grown weaker. The sheer variety of family types is simply a reflection of how American society has grown and evolved over the years resulting in iterations that are quite distinct from how they were in the 1960s.

The modern day family is simply the result of changing social norms with how the concept of “family” is perceived. As such, the variety, freedoms, and complexity of present day families have made them stronger since it has allowed people to adapt to the way in which society has changed over the years.

Gerstel, N., & Gallagher, S. K. (1993). Kinkeeping and Distress: Gender, Recipients of Care, and Work-Family Conflict. Journal Of Marriage & Family , 55 (3), 598-608.

Holahan, J. (2010, September 28). My Nuclear Family. Christian Science Monitor . p. N.PAG.

Khimm, S. (2015). The New Nuclear Family. New Republic , 246 (11), 8-10.

Ruggles, S. (2009). Reconsidering the Northwest European Family System: Living Arrangements of the Aged in Comparative Historical Perspective. Population & Development Review , 35 (2), 249-273.

Ruggles, S. (1994). The transformation of American family structure. American Historical Review , 99 (1), 103.

Timmermann, S. (2013). What Ever Happened to the Nuclear Family? Impact of a Changing America on Financial Services. Journal Of Financial Service Professionals , 67 (1), 27-29.

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Modern Family Analysis

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Overview of modern family, challenging traditional stereotypes, examining family dynamics and relationships, addressing societal issues and taboos, breaking gender norms and roles, subverting cultural and racial stereotypes, representing diverse family structures, highlighting the importance of communication and emotional connection, tackling social issues through humor and wit, promoting acceptance and inclusivity.

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the modern family essay

Modern Family Analysis Essay

Modern Family takes place in Los Angeles, California. The show is based off of a “typical” modern family in today’s time, or what the writers of the show perceive it as. The show is based off of one big family, but is divided into 3 subfamilies to portray each of their lives. The main characters include Jay who is the patriarch and he is remarried to a much younger Colombian woman Gloria, who has a son from a previous relationship, Manny.

Jay’s daughter Claire, a homemaker, is married to Phil, a real estate agent, which they have three children; Haley, the stereotypical teenager, Alex, a nerdy, smart kid, and Luke, the outsider and the only son. Jay’s son Mitchel, a lawyer and his life partner Cameron, have adopted an Asian baby, Lily. The families are all upper-middle class and have a variety of personalities that are not comparable to other shows. This show has mixed families, different ethnic backgrounds, and gay characters. This show portrays what evolutionary media and realism together placed on the TV screen.

This show doesn’t really show any financial issues but shows more life issues such as adopting a child, raising teenagers, and preparing for a baby at an older age. This show depicts the modern family as an upper class family that is able to afford all of life’s luxuries including a nice home, nice car, good schools, nice clothes, extracurricular activities, college for the kids, etc. Although these are the things that I believe a modern family today shoots for, I’m not sure it always plays out exactly this way. Modern Family ignores the growing gap between the rich and poor in the United States.

The median income of the true modern family cannot afford the affluent lifestyles presented in this show. Again, television has long enticed audiences with the proverbial carrot of consumer culture. But for a show that attempts to represent the changing face of the American family unit, Modern family makes no such effort socio-economically. Instead, viewers are universally trained to identify with the lives and struggles of the economically elite. What makes Modern Family’s omission of working class culture especially troublesome is that it also asserts itself as a show of social conscience, perpetually pushing cultural boundaries.

Yet as it does so, it simultaneously pushes the working class family to the periphery of both popular culture and, in turn, progressive struggles for social change. This comes at a time when working class issues are already inaccurately pitted against causes such as environmentalism and immigration, both reoccurring issues on Modern Family. To leave the poor and working class out of the show is to leave them out of an important political conversation. Such omission only exacerbates the perceived antagonism between progressivism and the working class.

For these reasons, it is understa why some working-class families may fail to identify with such shows and the issues they address. In reality, there is nothing elitist about cultural tolerance or the desire to preserve our planet. Revenge mostly takes place in the Hamptons, but sometimes in Manhattan. The show is based off a group of wealthy individuals living in luxurious beach houses in the Hamptons. The main plot of the show is young woman named Emily Thorne, who’s real name is Amanda Clarke, who is seeking to get revenge for her father’s death and framing as a terrorist from the 9/11 attacks.

During the show, there have been four main female characters and five main male characters. Two of the female characters have obtained their wealth through the men in their lives, one through marriage and one through her father. The other female characters either work as a male’s secretary or are running a family business. The women are represented as very wealthy, always wearing extravagant clothes, driving nice cars, and living in multi-million dollar homes. The men on the show are very powerful, owning huge corporations, as well as being the ultimate decision makers.

This show does not portray the “normal” family since the normal family doesn’t live in a multi-million dollar home, but it does portray the way that television most always makes the men powerful and the women homemakers. The classist stereotypes portrayed are viciously ripe. Each class has social limitations keeping them from successfully climbing the social ladder. On the way up, they knock each other down with false witness statements and tampered evidence for a chance to get closer to the family at the center of it all, the Grayson’s. Emily’s main target is the Grayson family and Grayson Global, their economic empire.

The Grayson’s are an extreme representation of the 1%. Victoria Grayson, wife of Conrad Grayson, was once in love with Emily’s deceased father before she falsely accused him of the terrorist attacks. The economic inequality and injustice portrayed in Revenge is sickening, yet viewers cannot get enough. What is it about the top 1% that keeps viewers from peeling away from the screen? Wealth, beauty and status are everything. Superficiality and materialistic greed are cultural staples in pop culture media.

In “Revenge,” money is everything. Revenge” exposes the political influence and societal power that wealthy white families have in America. In conclusion, media has a vast impact of how gender, race, and class are viewed in American society. Desperate Housewives, Modern Family, and Revenge are three shows out of many, that depict how gender, race, and class are perceived by many. Desperate Housewives demonstrates the life of empowering women coping with their day-to-day domestic lives. Although there are many stereotypes in this show, I do believe that there are a lot of episodes that send inspiring messages to the women viewers on the show.

Desperate Housewives mainly focuses on the different roles that women take upon. This show also perceives most of the families as old-fashioned families with stay at home moms and such. On the other hand, Modern Family depicts modernized families. Although I love this show, I don’t like how almost everything is perfect. There are never any major problems with anyone. Instead, I see a lot of mockery out of the problems that do arise in the show. Lastly, Revenge exhibits the scandalous and lavish life of the 1% elite group.

There are a lot of stereotypes in this show as well, showing how these rich men are the bread makers and the women are the money spenders. Again, although this is one of my favorite shows, I found myself sometimes not paying attention to the actual episodes and being envious of the life that all the characters on the show lived. All in all, these three shows definitely can put a big impact on other people’s lives and how they perceive gender, race and class. Although these three shows are well-liked by many, they don’t always perceive the right messages.

Some of these shows perceive life to be perfect when in reality, a lot of people don’t get the luxury of living life like the characters on these shows do. In some instances these shows exhibit some issues that they make big deals of, however a lot of the viewers may think that those problems are nothing compared to the issues they have. The media does have a huge impact on how gender, race, and class are viewed in American Society, and my opinion is that the media should have shows that viewers can further relate to, not be envious of.

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Modern Family Analysis

The popularity of family TV shows has been prevalent for decades, and regardless of whether audiences have been aware of it or not, they have always presented a message via the depiction of the so-called regular family. With shows such as  Brady Bunch  and  Leave it to Beaver,  as well as  The Simpsons  and  Modern Family,  society has evolved from depicting the nuclear, functional family that is often patriarchial as the ideal to heavily promoting the acceptance of the existence of no ideal. Instead, family TV shows depict, more often than not in a funny light, the everyday challenges of a family in the 21 st  century. The societal perception of the family has drastically changed since family TV shows first to gain popularity, and they will continue to undergo changes as their prevalence continues. However, as family depictions in the media continue to change, the quintessential family is starting to get eroded out of focus, with the acceptance of every form of the family becoming increasingly prevalent.

Modern Family  offers a portrayal of the life of a 21 st -century family, and it features a mother comparing herself to her stepmother, which is similar to how mothers in society normally compare how they raise their children with how other women do the same. The shows centers around a blended family, whose type has become increasingly common in today’s society. The teen girls present in  Modern Family  are representations of society’s perception of beauty and intelligence, and more significantly, the rarity of them mixing. Sexy, loud stereotypes regarding women of Latina descent are reinforced in  Modern Family  as has been the norm in the majority of current TV shows, which is unfortunate. Lastly, relationships pertaining to the LGBTQ community have continued to gain acceptance, with more and more people embracing them. The analysis of the portrayals detailed above in  Modern Family  can help provide an understanding of the 21 st -century society that they exist within and the interactions they have as they go about their lives.

Many consider  Modern Family  to be one of, if not the most influential family TV show in recent history, with the show offering a portrayal of a dysfunctional family living in the 21 st  century (Smith-Driggs, 2017). ABC’s website details the show as revolving around the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan, which is a large family that is wonderfully blended. The three families mentioned above offer the audience a true and often comical perception into the sometimes twisted, sometimes warm, reflection of the 21 st -century family (Smith-Driggs, 2017). The TV show depicts the new versions of the family in a comical light, and society is gradually becoming an actual reflection of  Modern Family,  with more and more families in this day and age straying moving away from the ideal perception of a family and adopting a more dysfunctional model.

Modern Family  hails from an extended line of well-received family TV shows, all offering a depiction of a typical family within society at the time of airing (Smith-Driggs, 2017). For example,  Leave it to Beaver  was set in the 1950s and featured the portrayal of a functional, Caucasian, middle-class family. The shows that were set in the era in question were, more often than not, concerned with depicting the conventional patriarchy and the nuclear family unit and it involved the reinforcement of gender norms such as girls always having to look pretty, fooling around being in the nature of boys, and mothers doing all the housework while fathers earn money. Changes in culture and families resulted in a change in TV shows too, and that became evident when the national divorce rate increased in the 1960s, creating increasingly separated families (Smith-Driggs, 2017). Thus,  The Brady Bunch  emerged, with each episode of the show’s five seasons portraying a different situation in the family unit, but the show touched upon limited matters that can be deemed socially controversial.

During the same era,  The Cosby Show  emerged, and it offered a look into a functional family of African-American descent, with the show also offering a look at how similar a Black family was to a white family (Smith-Driggs, 2017). Doing so was meaningful, given that it was a fact that that the majority of audiences found it hard to understand at the time.  Roseanne  offered the first depiction of a family that can be perceived as realistic in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The show featured both parents working away from home, with the lead characters also being overweight, and also featuring a household that was female-dominated, as well as gay characters (Smith-Driggs, 2017). Ever since the emergence of  Roseanne,  there has been an increased encouragement for acceptance of every family form within the media, more so with regards to LGBTQ relationships.

All the shows detailed above have contributed to the prevalence of  Modern Family,  and similar to the other family TV shows, it is riddled with subtle messages pertaining to the acceptance of every type of family relationship, regardless of how different it is from the accepted norms (Smith-Driggs, 2017).  Modern Family  focuses on the stereotypes centered around blended families, the LGBTQ community, Latina women, and motherhood. Claire Dunphy is depicted as a woman with a loving spouse, two daughters, one of whom dresses well, while the other is an unattractive genius and a son who is portrayed as a typical teenage boy with a knack for having fun and messing around (Smith-Driggs, 2017). While Claire might be perceived to have it all, she, unfortunately, has a habit of comparing herself to her stepmother Gloria, and that makes her view herself as a frantic mother who is always rushing around to help her offspring with something.

Claire’s perception of Gloria is that of a beautiful and composed mother, and while the former does not resent the latter, the comparisons of her shortcomings to Gloria’s success slightly strain their relationship (Smith-Driggs, 2017). Such a relationship can be equated to mothers in the 21 st  century comparing themselves to other mothers, especially those with a heavy online presence. These mothers often present their best selves online as they go about promoting commodities and offering motherhood tips. While the mention of a mother blogger can be perceived as an extreme example of mothers making comparisons between themselves and others, the majority of mothers find it relatable feeling less capable than other mothers. Therefore, with family TV shows striving to ensure that family depictions are relatable to the audience, Claire and Gloria’s relationship is given much emphasis (Smith-Driggs, 2017).

Modern Family’s  other relatable premise is its depiction of a stepfamily, with the show featuring Claire’s father divorcing a woman called Dede and marrying Gloria. Jay and Gloria’s blended family can be perceived as a representation of increasing norms pertaining to stepfamilies in today’s society (Smith-Driggs, 2017). Research by the United States Census Bureau revealed that 1300 new stepfamilies are being created on a daily basis, with more than half of families in the U.S. being re-coupled or remarried, and one out of two marriages concluding in divorce.  Modern Family  offers one of the several modern depictions of blended families, with increasing divorce rates contributing towards the increased acceptance and expectations of such families.

The majority of TV shows and films are known to offer depictions of the stereotypical ditz, gorgeous shopper, and the intelligent, but unattractive tomboy.  Modern Family  is no different as the stereotypes in question are reinforced by Claire’s daughters Alex and Haley, with the former playing the tomboy and the latter the ditz (Smith-Driggs, 2017). The majority of family shows depict such a sibling setup because the tomboys are meant to watch their older sisters’ behaviors and actions while frowning upon them, and attempting everything they can to make sure that they do not turn out the same. Thus, the tomboys can be perceived as a representation of the opposite side of the so-called feminine spectrum (Smith-Driggs, 2017). The depiction of such stereotypes offers a glimpse into society, given that it is the belief of many that a woman who is both intelligent and beautiful is next to impossible to find.

Of all the statements made by the show, the biggest statement that  Modern Family  can be perceived to make is via the show’s depiction of gay marriage (Rosen, 2020). Jay’s only son ad Claire’s brother, Mitchell, is a spouse to another man called Cam, and the two have adopted a baby girl named Lily. Over the last two decades, the media’s perception of gay relationships has been unnatural and uncomfortable. However, such relationships have continued to become the norm, with many people embracing such life partnerships. The depiction of LGBTQ relationships in the media continues pushing for equality, while also promoting the acceptance of every type of sexual orientation (Rosen, 2020). In  Modern Family,  Jay was initially portrayed as resentful of the fact that his son, Mitchel, was a member of the LGBTQ community, he eventually grew to embrace it (Rosen, 2020). The father-son situation detailed above mirrors society, given that while society once resented people with different sexual orientations, it has gradually learned to be accepting of those differences, while also embracing them.

However, while  Modern Family  might be looking to lessen the multiple stereotypes pertaining to the typical family, the show heavily reinforces one significant stereotype, that of Latina women (Rosen, 2020). Research has revealed that some of the most significant stereotypes about women of Latina descent include the fact that they enjoy showing cleavage, they have high-pitched voices that are loud and obnoxious, they all speak with accents, they are immigrants, they are staunch Catholics, they have long, wavy hair and that they hail from dangerous origins. The only Latina woman in  Modern Family  is Gloria and she reinforces every one of the stereotypes detailed above. One of the show’s episodes features Gloria’s mother and sister visiting for the christening of Gloria’s baby, and it is an episode that features increased reinforcement of the stereotype in question (Rosen, 2020). Unfortunately, Gloria’s stereotypical portrayal is just one of many in family TV shows pertaining to the depiction of Latina women. Statistics have shown that the Hispanic population within the United States, which is more than 17% of the nation’s population, yearns for TV shows that depict their culture in a realistic manner, and not stereotypically.

While the various families depicted in  Modern Family  have their differences, they all share a commonality amongst themselves, which is that every one of the parents is seriously dedicated to their children (Rosen, 2020). The show portrays how family always comes first, and that it ultimately brings them together. Therefore,  Modern Family  begs the question: does the “family comes first” motto fall in line with what society perceives as normal or does it contradict it? However, there is no denying that the TV show teaches the message of acceptance to all who watch it has contributed significantly to the typical family being perceived in more than one mold (Smith-Driggs, 2017). A mother and father with two offspring are no longer viewed as the classic family and expectations of it have diminished. Instead, biracial families, single-parent households, divorced parents, LGBTQ families and many more are all being perceived as normal families. While it has been more recently seen in regards to the LGBTQ community, the continued acceptance in question will continue to become prevalent to various households and all people.  Modern Family  has both contributed to and hindered the aforementioned growth (Smith-Driggs, 2017). The show’s presentation of every form of family, which includes families that make mistakes, are plagued with problems, and still, love each other, is enough for it to be regarded as one of the most influential family TV shows of the 21 st  century.

Modern Family  details the daily struggles of a typical family living in the 21 st  century. The TV show depicts the new versions of the family in a comical light, and society is gradually becoming an actual reflection of  Modern Family,  with more and more families in this day and age straying moving away from the ideal perception of a family and adopting a more dysfunctional model.  Modern Family  focuses on the stereotypes centered around blended families, the LGBTQ community, Latina women, and motherhood. The depiction of such stereotypes offers a glimpse into society, given that it is the belief of many that a woman who is both intelligent and beautiful is next to impossible to find. the biggest statement that  Modern Family  can be perceived to make is via the show’s depiction of gay marriage. Over the last two decades, the media’s perception of gay relationships has been unnatural and uncomfortable. However, such relationships have continued to become the norm, with many people embracing such life partnerships. In  Modern Family,  Jay was initially portrayed as resentful of the fact that his son, Mitchel, was a member of the LGBTQ community, he eventually grew to embrace it. The depiction of LGBTQ relationships in the media continues pushing for equality, while also promoting the acceptance of every type of sexual orientation. However, while  Modern Family  might be looking to lessen the multiple stereotypes pertaining to the typical family, the show heavily reinforces one significant stereotype, that of Latina women.

Rosen, L. (2021). ‘Modern Family,’ a longtime Emmy favorite, paved the way and stepped aside. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 December 2021, from https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-06-18/modern-family-says-goodbye-after-11-seasons.

Smith-Driggs, E. (2021). Modern Family promotes the acceptance of all types of families – The New York Experience. Nybyu.com. Retrieved 6 December 2021, from http://nybyu.com/pop-culture-analysis/modern-family-promotes-the-acceptance-of-all-types-of-families/.

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The Modern Family Essay Example

The Modern Family Essay Example

  • Pages: 6 (1564 words)
  • Published: February 10, 2017
  • Type: Research Paper

In today’s society the image of the family structure has drastically evolved from the traditional values of the 20th century in order to adapt to the social and economic influences that are shaping the 21st century. The sitcom on ABC, “Modern Family” satirizes the issues that families in America face in the 21st century. Compared to the traditions, values and beliefs that shaped the traditional family in the 20th century, family structures today are tremendously diverse. In the 20th century the “ideal” family had a mother, father, and a little boy and girl.

The father was the bread winner for the family while the mother took care of the house and the children. The father was the head of his house and his word was law while women had very little say in decisions. The famil

y structure has radically progressed to take on a new look in today’s day and age. There are “stay at home” dads while the women have acquired jobs and there are many single-parent families as well. Many social and economic influences are responsible for the evolution of families as we know them today.

Gay marriage, interracial marriage, single-parent families, and the practice of adopting foreign babies have influenced the creation of the modern family. Gay marriage has been an extremely controversial issue in the latter part of the 20th century and become even more contested and accepted in the 21st century. In the 20th century being homosexual was not tolerated and if one was gay, they kept it to themselves. However, in the present society being gay has become accepted and gay marriages are beginning to

become the norm. Same sex marriages have led to families through adoption.

This is a controversial issue because it is debated whether or not homosexuals should be able to raise a family. Interracial marriage in the 20th century was basically forbidden, yet today’s society has begun to accept these marriages as a normal thing. Single-parent families where extremely rare in the traditional family structure, nevertheless it is common for the parents to divorce and is not frowned upon like it was in the 19th century. Adopting foreign children has become something of a fad in America’s culture today with famous celebrities setting the example. All of these important social issues have fashioned the family structure in the 21st century and the sitcom “Modern Family” attempts to address these issues through both satirizing them and taking a more serious tone with them as well.

Economic influences have played an important role in changing the traditional family. While in the past the husband went to work while the mother stayed home to tend to the house and children, today’s society has seen somewhat of a flip flop in these roles. More women are going back to college and getting there degrees so that they can compete with their male counterparts in the workforce. Another economic issue influencing the modern family is that both parents are beginning to get jobs, leaving the household void of an adult and the kid’s home alone. Children are beginning to grow up on their own without the constant presence of their parents to help raise them because both of them are forced to work. While influencing the adaptation of the

family, economic influences have not played as big a part as the social changes in today’s society have because social changes have a more direct impact on the family structure.

“Modern Family” addresses some of these important social and economic influences by using satire and stereotypes to portray an accurate image of what the “average” family has become. The show is based around 3 separate families that are all related by one person or another. There is the typical family with a husband, wife, and three kids. However there are also two gay men that have an oriental baby they adopted and another family where the husband is much older than his “gold-digger” wife and her child. The show centers on the everyday life’s of these families and the challenges that one might expect them to face. Through using stereotypes of gender, race, age, homosexuals, and families “Modern Family” conveys the social and economic issues that have formed the family structure in the 21st century.

Gender has long been a topic of controversy in the family, debating how large of a role the women should have in the household. In the show, the two wives’, Claire and Gloria, are both drastically different. While Claire is a typical urban mother who has 3 kids and a husband her own age, Gloria is an immigrant from Columbia and is married to a man who is much older than her and has a child from a previous marriage. “Modern Family” satirizes the role that each wife plays in her respected household.

Gloria is portrayed as the typical gold-digger wife that is unaware to American customs

and traditions while Claire is shown as being in charge of her home and an authority figure. For instance Claire has control over Phil, her husband. She forces him to do some of her dirty deeds such as helping her run for office in the city council. This satirizes the typical stereotype of the 20th century when the husband was seen as the head of the household and was the commanding figure. Instead of being portrayed as an authority symbol, Phil is seen as a goofy, clueless dad who wouldn’t be able to tie his shoes if it weren’t for his wife, Claire. It is ironic because the husband is being shown as the foolish one while the wife is clearly the sensible and rational one.

Modern Family also chooses to stereotype gender further with the family of Jay, Gloria and their child Manny. Jay is a rich business man while Gloria is immigrant from Columbia and much younger than him as well. Gloria fits the label of a gold-digger and this is satirized by the way she acts around her husband, Jay and the other actors. In society today women can be labeled as gold-diggers when they date or marry older, wealthy men.

Race had been a big topic of controversy regarding families in the 20th century. However in the 21st century interracial marriages and relationships have been generally accepted more frequently. Modern Family attempts to address the controversy of race in marriages with Jay and Gloria who are married. In one episode Claire calls her father, Jay out on why he married Gloria.

The dispute over gay marriage is also

satirized and stereotyped in Modern Family. Mitchell and Cameron are two gay men who live together and have adopted a Vietnamese baby. Mitchell is shown as the more masculine of the two and this can upset Cameron who is more sentimental and feminine in his character. In reality gay couples are stereotyped as to who wears the pants in the relationship. In the past, the male always was in charge; however with the increase in gay couples there is usually one who is manlier than the other.

The show makes fun of this in different ways. Sometimes Cameron will be shown as feminine because he always dresses up there adopted daughter, Lilly, in ridiculous costumes. In different scenes still he is shown as more girly because he is very sentimental and emotional. Jay is Mitchell’s dad and criticizes Cameron for always being so girly and Cameron starts to cry. This is parodying the stereotype that all gay men are sentimental and act like women. The gay couple is also depicted to seem very quarrelsome to represent something a teenage couple. This is to satirize the relationship that teenagers have and stereotype homosexual couples.

Finally families are stereotyped in this show to show what the average American family is thought to be. The Dunphy family consists of Claire and Phil and their children Luke, Hailey, and Alex. The family is seen as chaotic and problem-filled at times but this is mocking the stereotype that the American family has gotten: unorganized and rebellious at times but also resilient and loving. Often during the show there will be nasty fights between Claire and her daughter Hailey

but in the end they make up and show how much they love each other.

Furthermore the Dunphy family is portrayed as chaotic to address the stereotype that American families are crazy and out of control. In one episode Phil tears the Christmas tree down because the kids won’t tell him and Claire who was smoking cigarettes in the house. It looks like Christmas is ruined but the family comes together and everyone makes up with each other. In reality most American families do not represent the Dunphy family and that is what makes this family so ironic.

Modern Family attempts to show reality in order to mock the stereotypes that have become associated with the new family structure. Through the use of carefully scripted screenplay and dialogue the show parodies many of the controversial issues in society. Modern Family emphasizes how the idea and values of the family in America has evolved. In the past the family was seen as organized around the father and the children were to obey their parents. However in the 21st century families are more disorganized and there is a more equal distribution of power through them.

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Modern family essay

In September 2009, America was introduced to Contemporary Family, the newest award-winning present. The show centers around three families, all of these interact with the other person. Not only does Modern day Family manage the traditional relatives, but as well introduces a homosexual few, and a mixed matrimony. Given that these types of families are interrelated, Modern day Family can reasonably end up being described as “modern.  The combination of classic and fresh elements increases from the blended dialog, which the producer on this show attempts to communicate. These ingredients lay only on the area, and deeper looks inside each family members structure prove that the show’s title is usually misleading.

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New family dreams are never fully embraced, nevertheless instead modified to fit in a common family thought. Unlike its title, Modern Relatives promotes traditional gender functions and stereotypes of women, which usually result in the characterization of an inaccurate image of the feminine and weakens the posture of women in todays U. S. contemporary society.

Even though Modern day Family tries to communicate an new idea of family, the show’s turn to male constructions has created plotlines modeling traditional thoughts inside each relatives.

With Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker, the producers of Modern Family been successful in building a liberal lgbt couple seen as a their intensifying denial of a traditional family structure. The intermarriage of Jay Pritchett and Fausto Delgado also deviates from your norm, not merely by showcasing Gloria’s Latin American origins, but also by their visible age big difference. With this interracial romance, Modern Family follows fashionable of the latest television series such as Lost Grey’s Anatomy and Emergency Room to feature mixed relationship in their story-lines. The significance of such examples would be that the audience assumes that Contemporary Family promotes new households and dismisses the classic gender construction; yet , it does not have resistance towards male family dominance, demonstrating the false approach this kind of show attempts to communicate Balance is created around the promo of a men, and classic formation of the dominant considered the “The Standard North American Family (SNAF),  because argued simply by Dorothy Elizabeth. Smith.

In her document about “SNAF as a great Ideological Code,  your woman states which the clear division of work sphere and home sphere among husband and wife characterizes the concept of a family group. The men arethe families’ main earners, producing the women influenced by their husbands’ income. While seen in Modern Family not Claire Dunphy nor Fausto Pritchett is in charge of contributing to her family’s income, which forces them to rely on their husbands’ earnings. The show’s reliability on the deeply fixed believed becomes a lot more evident searching at Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker. Their accelerating portrayal generally seems to make a classical gender distribution improbable, but the event “Mothers Day reveals that Mitchell takes the position as mother, while Cameron j. functions because father. Modern day Family is targeted on female gender stereotypes to further promote a male-dominant family thought. The mass media’s tendency to resolve social change and duplicate “assumptions regarding women’s appropriate roles makes inaccurate images of Gloria and Clairette as contemporary women (Dow 19).

The job “Constructing Male or female Stereotypes Through Social Functions in Prime-Time Television offers a definition of the construction of girl identity and communication throughout television. That states “stereotypes offer overviews about persons on the basis of their group membership (Lauzen, Dozier, and Horan 201). Whilst both women share the identity of motherhood, home life, and family-orientation, their individual characteristics change. Gloria’s Latin American beginning deviates from her white-colored, American colleague. Gloria’s personality symbolizes views many Americans include regarding Latina American women, such as becoming “‘passive, and dependent on men. ABC’s established description of Gloria says that The writer “married the much youthful, much hotter, much more Colombian Gloria. Numerous episodes likewise make fun of her strong Latin American accentuate. The episode “The One which Got Aside “features Jay’s birthday and in turn of his wish to get a “saxophone,  Gloria gets him a “sexy phone,  a phone inside the shape of a mouth. In addition , little is well know about Gloria’s educational or professional qualifications in Colombia.

This results in the motives of her marriage towards the much old Jay Pritchett are becoming questioned. Fausto is accused of being a gold digger for attempting to marry a rich white American, probably to obtain the American Dream for her and her son Manny. Contrary to Gloria’s racist unoriginal description, Expresse Dunphy presents the traditional stay-at-home-mother, who dedicates her lifestyle to the home-based land. In comparison to Gloria’s attractive looks, Claire is attired more delicately, indicating that her priorities sit within the relatives. Throughout the series the people discovers that sheonce had a successful profession, which she quit on her family. This kind of shows that irrespective of her good, controlling figure, she is not an independent female. Claire’s information of holiday as a “business trip displays that your woman takes her position since mother incredibly seriously, more than her previous career. Through the promo of classic family ideals and the unoriginal presentation of girls in the U. S. demonstrate Modern Family members, an incorrect image of the truth and effect of women in U. S. society is created.

Even though feminist scholar Andrea L. Press argues that it is not the role of television to immediately and accurately echo social and political habit in their society, she draws the attention to the manifestation of “contradictory notions regarding feminine male or female identity and female roles in mass media (Press, Women Watching Television Andrea Press has also examined the relationship among women and work on television, and has recognized that the picture of working ladies on U. S. sitcoms correlates with the rise of women’s involvement in the U. S. labor force, resulting from the changing form of the American family through rising divorce rates and increasing acceptance of alternative family forms (Press, Gender And Family 148).

While currently 58. being unfaithful percent of married women with younger kids, and 70. 7 percent with kids aged six to 17 are employed, it is questionable so why probably none with the women in Modern Family members holds careers (U. S i9000. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Of course , the concept of women doing work is certainly not the only controversial family-related issue that inconveniently left out of discussion in the tv series. Even though the introduction of sensitive issues, including sexuality and race, in present television shows (Press, “Gender And Family 140) can be noticed, these narratives frequently minimize the real problems American women encounter today (Press, Women Watching Television27-28). This kind of observation would not meet the ideals of Modern Family, whereas concerns like competition, sexuality, and career decisions might be proven, but not openly be talked about.

The longstanding moral idea of the traditional family is promoted throughout the show and by constantly reproducing gender tasks; the audience presumes these constructions as authentic and authentic (Lauzen, Dozier, and Horan 201-202). A major review about Modern Family members easily shows old-fashioned ideals. Despite the success of the claims, this display is not as modern as it claims to get and couldeasily have been shown in the eighties, a television set era that was also characterized by a return to classic family values. Nevertheless, Modern day Family, airing in the 21st century, is usually continually stereotyping women in an old fashioned way as moms and regular folks. These lines do not meet real feminine ambitions or perhaps provide a acceptable reading of today’s American women. While Bonnie L. Downotes: “the danger can be not in enjoying television series but in mistaking these pictures for something more than the picky, partial pictures that they are (Dow 214).

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The modern american family,  key trends in marriage and family life.

The American family has undergone significant change in recent decades. There is no longer one predominant family form, and Americans are experiencing family life in increasingly diverse ways.

In 1970, 67% of Americans ages 25 to 49 were living with their spouse and one or more children younger than 18.

Over the past five decades, that share has dropped to 37%.

With the drop in the share of adults living with a spouse and children, there has been an increase in other types of family living arrangements, like unmarried adults raising children.

A recent survey finds that the U.S. public is more accepting of some family types than others . And, broadly speaking, Americans are more pessimistic than optimistic about the future of the institution of marriage and the family.

What’s behind the change in family structure?

There are several factors that have contributed to these changes. Americans are marrying later in life, and a rising share have never been married.

% of U.S. adults ages 18 and older who are married or have never been married

Source: Pew Research Center analysis of 1970-2000 decennial census and 2010-2021 American Community Survey (IPUMS).

While the overall share of married adults has declined, certain types of marriages have become more common over time. Since the 1970s, a growing share of Americans are in interracial or interethnic marriages.

% of U.S. married adults ages 18 and older who are intermarried

Note: Intermarried refers to marriages between a Hispanic and a non-Hispanic spouse, or marriages between non-Hispanic spouses who come from different racial groups. Source: Pew Research Center analysis of 1970-2000 decennial census and 2010-2021 American Community Survey (IPUMS).

In 2015, same-sex marriages became legal nationally, and since then there has also been an increase in the proportion of Americans in same-sex marriages. In 2021, there were over 700,000 same-sex married couples in the United States , accounting for approximately 1% of all married couples. 

% of U.S. married adults ages 18 and older in a same-sex marriage

Source: Pew Research Center analysis of 2015-2021 American Community Survey (IPUMS).

Changes in fertility patterns have also had a significant impact on family dynamics. Compared with their counterparts in the 1970s, women today have fewer children.

The relationship between marriage and parenthood has also shifted, as more women are having children without being married .

Taken together, these changes help explain why married couples raising children together is no longer the norm.

Let’s take a closer look at the changes in family life over the past decades to understand how the American family has evolved and what it looks like today:

Differences by education, race and ethnicity

What form a family takes is increasingly shaped by educational attainment and varies significantly across racial and ethnic groups.

Today, individuals with a bachelor’s degree are much more likely to be married than those with less education – a change from the 1970s, when adults with a high school diploma were as likely as college graduates to be married. There are also growing racial and ethnic disparities since that time, with Asian and White adults increasingly more likely to be married than those who are Black or Hispanic.

Explore the data to see how these differences play out in American families. To start, click on a tab to display   data on the share of Americans who are married; the number of children women have, on average; or   the share of children living with two married parents. Then, choose a filter to show differences by education or by race and ethnicity.

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About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

the modern family essay

Essay about Family: What It Is and How to Nail It

the modern family essay

Humans naturally seek belonging within families, finding comfort in knowing someone always cares. Yet, families can also stir up insecurities and mental health struggles.

Family dynamics continue to intrigue researchers across different fields. Every year, new studies explore how these relationships shape our minds and emotions.

In this article, our dissertation service will guide you through writing a family essay. You can also dive into our list of topics for inspiration and explore some standout examples to spark your creativity.

What is Family Essay

A family essay takes a close look at the bonds and experiences within families. It's a common academic assignment, especially in subjects like sociology, psychology, and literature.

What is Family Essay

So, what's involved exactly? Simply put, it's an exploration of what family signifies to you. You might reflect on cherished family memories or contemplate the portrayal of families in various media.

What sets a family essay apart is its personal touch. It allows you to express your own thoughts and experiences. Moreover, it's versatile – you can analyze family dynamics, reminisce about family customs, or explore other facets of familial life.

If you're feeling uncertain about how to write an essay about family, don't worry; you can explore different perspectives and select topics that resonate with various aspects of family life.

Tips For Writing An Essay On Family Topics

A family essay typically follows a free-form style, unless specified otherwise, and adheres to the classic 5-paragraph structure. As you jot down your thoughts, aim to infuse your essay with inspiration and the essence of creative writing, unless your family essay topics lean towards complexity or science.

Tips For Writing An Essay On Family Topics

Here are some easy-to-follow tips from our essay service experts:

  • Focus on a Specific Aspect: Instead of a broad overview, delve into a specific angle that piques your interest, such as exploring how birth order influences sibling dynamics or examining the evolving role of grandparents in modern families.
  • Share Personal Anecdotes: Start your family essay introduction with a personal touch by sharing stories from your own experiences. Whether it's about a favorite tradition, a special trip, or a tough time, these stories make your writing more interesting.
  • Use Real-life Examples: Illustrate your points with concrete examples or anecdotes. Draw from sources like movies, books, historical events, or personal interviews to bring your ideas to life.
  • Explore Cultural Diversity: Consider the diverse array of family structures across different cultures. Compare traditional values, extended family systems, or the unique hurdles faced by multicultural families.
  • Take a Stance: Engage with contentious topics such as homeschooling, reproductive technologies, or governmental policies impacting families. Ensure your arguments are supported by solid evidence.
  • Delve into Psychology: Explore the psychological underpinnings of family dynamics, touching on concepts like attachment theory, childhood trauma, or patterns of dysfunction within families.
  • Emphasize Positivity: Share uplifting stories of families overcoming adversity or discuss strategies for nurturing strong, supportive family bonds.
  • Offer Practical Solutions: Wrap up your essay by proposing actionable solutions to common family challenges, such as fostering better communication, achieving work-life balance, or advocating for family-friendly policies.

Family Essay Topics

When it comes to writing, essay topics about family are often considered easier because we're intimately familiar with our own families. The more you understand about your family dynamics, traditions, and experiences, the clearer your ideas become.

If you're feeling uninspired or unsure of where to start, don't worry! Below, we have compiled a list of good family essay topics to help get your creative juices flowing. Whether you're assigned this type of essay or simply want to explore the topic, these suggestions from our history essay writer are tailored to spark your imagination and prompt meaningful reflection on different aspects of family life.

So, take a moment to peruse the list. Choose the essay topics about family that resonate most with you. Then, dive in and start exploring your family's stories, traditions, and connections through your writing.

  • Supporting Family Through Tough Times
  • Staying Connected with Relatives
  • Empathy and Compassion in Family Life
  • Strengthening Bonds Through Family Gatherings
  • Quality Time with Family: How Vital Is It?
  • Navigating Family Relationships Across Generations
  • Learning Kindness and Generosity in a Large Family
  • Communication in Healthy Family Dynamics
  • Forgiveness in Family Conflict Resolution
  • Building Trust Among Extended Family
  • Defining Family in Today's World
  • Understanding Nuclear Family: Various Views and Cultural Differences
  • Understanding Family Dynamics: Relationships Within the Family Unit
  • What Defines a Family Member?
  • Modernizing the Nuclear Family Concept
  • Exploring Shared Beliefs Among Family Members
  • Evolution of the Concept of Family Love Over Time
  • Examining Family Expectations
  • Modern Standards and the Idea of an Ideal Family
  • Life Experiences and Perceptions of Family Life
  • Genetics and Extended Family Connections
  • Utilizing Family Trees for Ancestral Links
  • The Role of Younger Siblings in Family Dynamics
  • Tracing Family History Through Oral Tradition and Genealogy
  • Tracing Family Values Through Your Family Tree
  • Exploring Your Elder Sister's Legacy in the Family Tree
  • Connecting Daily Habits to Family History
  • Documenting and Preserving Your Family's Legacy
  • Navigating Online Records and DNA Testing for Family History
  • Tradition as a Tool for Family Resilience
  • Involving Family in Daily Life to Maintain Traditions
  • Creating New Traditions for a Small Family
  • The Role of Traditions in Family Happiness
  • Family Recipes and Bonding at House Parties
  • Quality Time: The Secret Tradition for Family Happiness
  • The Joy of Cousins Visiting for Christmas
  • Including Family in Birthday Celebrations
  • Balancing Traditions and Unconditional Love
  • Building Family Bonds Through Traditions

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Family Essay Example

For a better grasp of the essay on family, our team of skilled writers has crafted a great example. It looks into the subject matter, allowing you to explore and understand the intricacies involved in creating compelling family essays. So, check out our meticulously crafted sample to discover how to craft essays that are not only well-written but also thought-provoking and impactful.

Final Outlook

In wrapping up, let's remember: a family essay gives students a chance to showcase their academic skills and creativity by sharing personal stories. However, it's important to stick to academic standards when writing about these topics. We hope our list of topics sparked your creativity and got you on your way to a reflective journey. And if you hit a rough patch, you can just ask us to ' do my essay for me ' for top-notch results!

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FAQs on Writing an Essay about Family

Family essays seem like something school children could be assigned at elementary schools, but family is no less important than climate change for our society today, and therefore it is one of the most central research themes.

Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions on family-related topics. Before you conduct research, scroll through them and find out how to write an essay about your family.

How to Write an Essay About Your Family History?

How to write an essay about a family member, how to write an essay about family and roots, how to write an essay about the importance of family, related articles.

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Essays on Modern Family

11 samples on this topic

To some college goers, writing Modern Family papers comes easy; others need the help of various types. The WowEssays.com database includes professionally crafted sample essays on Modern Family and relevant issues. Most definitely, among all those Modern Family essay examples, you will find a piece that conforms with what you see as a worthy paper. You can be sure that literally every Modern Family work showcased here can be used as a glowing example to follow in terms of general structure and writing different parts of a paper – introduction, main body, or conclusion.

If, however, you have a hard time coming up with a decent Modern Family essay or don't have even a minute of extra time to explore our sample collection, our free essay writer company can still be of great help to you. The thing is, our authors can craft a sample Modern Family paper to your individual needs and specific requirements within the pre-set interval. Buy college essays today!

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Perfect model essay on gender socialization in the family, example of the modern family essay, proper essay example about family and technology.

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COMMENTS

  1. The Modern Day Family

    The modern day family is simply the result of changing social norms with how the concept of "family" is perceived. As such, the variety, freedoms, and complexity of present day families have made them stronger since it has allowed people to adapt to the way in which society has changed over the years.

  2. The Family In The Modern Society Sociology Essay

    The Family In The Modern Society Sociology Essay. The family is a diverse topic with many different observations and conclusions as to its role and purpose in society. Many sociologists are of the opinion that the family is a central and necessary institution in modern society. Society has many family units involved in its fluctuations; changes ...

  3. Modern Family Analysis: [Essay Example], 534 words

    Modern Family, the critically acclaimed television show, has garnered widespread attention for its fresh and progressive portrayal of family dynamics, challenging traditional stereotypes and championing diversity. By defying gender norms, subverting cultural and racial stereotypes, representing diverse family structures, and addressing societal issues and taboos, Modern Family has had a ...

  4. Modern Family Analysis Essay

    Modern Family takes place in Los Angeles, California. The show is based off of a "typical" modern family in today's time, or what the writers of the show perceive it as. The show is based off of one big family, but is divided into 3 subfamilies to portray each of their lives. The main characters include Jay who is the patriarch and he is ...

  5. Modern Family Analysis

    The shows centers around a blended family, whose type has become increasingly common in today's society. The teen girls present in Modern Family are representations of society's perception of beauty and intelligence, and more significantly, the rarity of them mixing. Sexy, loud stereotypes regarding women of Latina descent are reinforced in ...

  6. Modern Family

    Paper Type: 300 Word Essay Examples. Assess the view that the modern family has become more children centred. Some sociologists argue that the modern family has become more children centred. This is mainly due to the changes in laws restricting child labour and excluding children from paid work.

  7. The Modern Family

    As the world changes and diversifies, so do family dynamics. But research on the topic is slow to move away from the ideas established 50 years ago. To bring it into the 21st century, a team of researchers from the UNC Center for Developmental Science have written nine papers that shine a light on the modern family and offer advice for parents on how to help their teens navigate today's ...

  8. Review Essay: Origins of The Modern Family in

    REVIEW ESSAY: ORIGINS OF THE "MODERN FAMILY" IN THE UNITED STATES. At Odds: Women and the Family in America from the Revolution to the Present. By Carl N. Degler (Oxford University Press). One of Degler's central concerns is to trace the emergence of the "modern". American family and to examine the implications of this type of family for women ...

  9. The Dynamic Of Traditional And Modern Family Roles

    Modern Family is a family sitcom that involves 3 different families, that all are somehow intertwined. The premise of the show involves these 3 families experiencing the same problems but in different situations and shows the classic example of resolving all problems within 22 minutes (Morgan & Signorielli, 1990).

  10. Essay On Modern Family

    Essay On Modern Family. 999 Words4 Pages. Modern Family is a hilarious sitcom that depicts the diversity of today's American family and is one of the highest rated comedy shows on TV. The show, which is produced by ABC was a success from the first season with over seven million viewers and grew to more than fourteen million views by season three.

  11. Modern Family Analysis

    Modern Family Analysis. Modern family is an American TV show that started in 2009 on ABC channel. Since then, this comedy show is one of the most watched shows in TV nowadays; so far it has won 22 Emmy awards from 75 nominations. Personally, this is one of my favorites TV shows ever because it is extremely funny but also it portrays its tittle ...

  12. Portraying Familial Diversity and Realism in 'Modern Family'

    This essay explores how Modern Family, presented in a mockumentary style, employs stereotypes to create relatable characters and enhance the sense of realism within the show. Mockumentary Style and Realism. The mockumentary style adopted by Modern Family serves as a crucial element in crafting its unique realism.

  13. Overview of the Family in the Mockumentary: Modern Family Essay

    The Modern Mockumentary The average family: a married man and women, 2.5 children, with a beautiful home that has a white picket fence and a dog. However, this "average" family image has changed drastically over the past decade particularly with the acceptance of gay marriage and green cards that are easier to obtain; this has had a ...

  14. The Modern Family Essay Example

    The Modern Family Essay Example 🎓 Get access to high-quality and unique 50 000 college essay examples and more than 100 000 flashcards and test answers from around the world! ... "Modern Family" addresses some of these important social and economic influences by using satire and stereotypes to portray an accurate image of what the ...

  15. A Study on the Modern Family

    The word family is often looked like a relationship between biological parents and their children. It typically consists of a mother, a father, and one or more kids. But currently, things are changing, and the word family now has many variations. Families now can consist of single parents,...

  16. Modern family Essay Example ☑️ Free & Best Paper Samples

    Modern family essay. In September 2009, America was introduced to Contemporary Family, the newest award-winning present. The show centers around three families, all of these interact with the other person. Not only does Modern day Family manage the traditional relatives, but as well introduces a homosexual few, and a mixed matrimony.

  17. How the American Family Has Changed

    The American family has undergone significant change in recent decades. There is no longer one predominant family form, and Americans are experiencing family life in increasingly diverse ways. In 1970, 67% of Americans ages 25 to 49 were living with their spouse and one or more children younger than 18. Over the past five decades, that share ...

  18. Essay about Family: Definition, Topics & Sample

    Here are some easy-to-follow tips from our essay service experts:. Focus on a Specific Aspect: Instead of a broad overview, delve into a specific angle that piques your interest, such as exploring how birth order influences sibling dynamics or examining the evolving role of grandparents in modern families. Share Personal Anecdotes: Start your family essay introduction with a personal touch by ...

  19. Misleading Title of Modern Family: Deeper Looks into Family Structures

    Download. Essay, Pages 5 (1233 words) Views. 1565. In September 2009, America was introduced to Modern Family, the new award-winning show. The show centers around three families, all of which interact with each other. Not only does Modern Family deal with the traditional family, but also introduces a homosexual couple, and a mixed marriage.

  20. Modern Family Essay Examples

    Example Of The Modern Family Essay. For a long time the ideal family resembled something out of "Leave it to Beaver". The mother was in the home, baking homemade goodies and awaiting the father's return from a hard day. Women were expected to reproduce. Children played outside, and never dared question their parents.

  21. Modern Family Essays: Examples, Topics, & Outlines

    In terms of workforce participation, the figures are as follows: "….86% for fathers and 56% for mothers in two-parent families, and 65% for male and 43% for female sole parents" (Edgar, 1997, p.151). This is also indicative of a shift in the role of the female as solely a homemaker. "In 1993, 53% of couples with dependent children were both ...

  22. Essay about The Modern Canadian Family

    Open Document. The Canadian family has been changing drastically over the 20th century. The definition of family has changed, along with the functions of families. Many modern families have veered from what we once considered the tradition family. This essay will discuss the different types of newly developed families, and some factors ...

  23. The Fosters: a Modern Take on Family Dynamics and Social Issues

    This essay delves into the groundbreaking television series "The Fosters," renowned for its progressive and heartfelt portrayal of a modern, blended family. It highlights the show's significance in advancing LGBT representation through the depiction of Stef and Lena Adams Foster, a same-sex couple raising a mix of biological, adopted, and ...