Gender Roles on Sitcom – Family Guy Family guy is notorious for presenting its comedic skits about stereotypes. Audiences of Family Guy are definitely aware of its racial and stereotypical slanders, although it is usually not offensive because it is masked with hilarious intentions. With the understanding that many stereotypes are incorporated in this sitcom, I will be focusing primarily on the usage of gender roles presented in the episode Whistle While Your Wife Works (Season 5, Episode 5). First we will analyze the two main characters of this sitcom Peter Griffin and Lois Griffin, following will be the actions and quotes from the episode that relates to gender roles, lastly is the gender roles comparison and contrast between our gender
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His character is designed to resemble an obese American father with the intellect of a child. Peter is known to be mischievous and spontaneous whom is the catalyst for crazy situations that happens on the sitcom. Peter himself as a character would not suffice if it wasn’t for the “stereotypes” (Stafford 6) that was implemented in his design. Sanders said “here I met for the first time young men who had assumed from birth that they would lead lives of comfort and power” (Sanders 214) which describes Peter’s character fairly well. Peter is a man who demands absolute respect from the household members deeming himself of highest authority. Peter lacks responsibility as a male according to gender role just as many other sitcoms like Still Standing. A good example of irresponsibility was in the episode when Peter and his friends break into the brewery Joe said “Peter you sure it’s okay to be at the brewery afterhours?” in response Peter said and he “relax Joe this is where I work”. Having disregarded Joe’s question, the group of friends proceeded to bathe in a tub of alcohol …show more content…
Continuing to present era, the idea of a wife is still the same as it was back in the 50s. In comparison to sitcoms in the previous decades, female roles had been making progression in gaining equality on television. A good example would be when Lucy made a mistake, she automatically cowers in fear as she tries to consult to her husband (I Love Lucy). Male roles in previous sitcoms were predominately the authority figure between the two. In one of the scenes for Gender in 70-80’s Sitcom, there seemed to be a fight that was about to happen. One of the men said the fight will be “four against two” the woman quickly responded to it actually being “five against two.” (Gender in 70-80’s Sitcom). She was quickly disregarded as the male in the black leather jacket depreciated her fighting value. Men were not as empathetic towards female opinions. As time progresses women’s ideas and opinions are slightly acknowledged more and more. Even though Peter was hesitant on wanting his sexual fantasy pleasured, he respected Lois’s rejection every time she declined. Some of the old stereotypes still exists today such as a woman’s role to be the housewife and caregiver, while the male is source of income to provide for the family. Male characters still carry on their dumb and dangerous characteristics, but more recently male roles are starting to convert into
His character is designed to resemble an obese American father with the intellect of a child. Peter is known to be mischievous and spontaneous whom is the catalyst for crazy situations that happens on the sitcom. Peter himself as a character would not suffice if it wasn’t for the “stereotypes” (Stafford 6) that was implemented in his design. Sanders said “here I met for the first time young men who had assumed from birth that they would lead lives of comfort and power” (Sanders 214) which describes Peter’s character fairly well. Peter is a man who demands absolute respect from the household members deeming himself of highest authority. Peter lacks responsibility as a male according to gender role just as many other sitcoms like Still Standing. A good example of irresponsibility was in the episode when Peter and his friends break into the brewery Joe said “Peter you sure it’s okay to be at the brewery afterhours?” in response Peter said and he “relax Joe this is where I work”. Having disregarded Joe’s question, the group of friends proceeded to bathe in a tub of alcohol …show more content…
Continuing to present era, the idea of a wife is still the same as it was back in the 50s. In comparison to sitcoms in the previous decades, female roles had been making progression in gaining equality on television. A good example would be when Lucy made a mistake, she automatically cowers in fear as she tries to consult to her husband (I Love Lucy). Male roles in previous sitcoms were predominately the authority figure between the two. In one of the scenes for Gender in 70-80’s Sitcom, there seemed to be a fight that was about to happen. One of the men said the fight will be “four against two” the woman quickly responded to it actually being “five against two.” (Gender in 70-80’s Sitcom). She was quickly disregarded as the male in the black leather jacket depreciated her fighting value. Men were not as empathetic towards female opinions. As time progresses women’s ideas and opinions are slightly acknowledged more and more. Even though Peter was hesitant on wanting his sexual fantasy pleasured, he respected Lois’s rejection every time she declined. Some of the old stereotypes still exists today such as a woman’s role to be the housewife and caregiver, while the male is source of income to provide for the family. Male characters still carry on their dumb and dangerous characteristics, but more recently male roles are starting to convert into