Gender roles have been portrayed differently throughout the history of the television sitcom. The media often portrays the conflicts between men and women, while adding a comedic twist to it. In the 1990’s women’s role in sitcoms had finally changed their character into more dominant and important figures compare to the sitcoms in earlier decades. Women have stepped out of traditional roles of the housewife, the mother and created the compelling female characters. While women began to play an independent role, men’s character in the 1990s also showed a significant change in an opposite way of being silly and trouble maker instead of being masculinity. The sitcom Home Improvement represents the perfect stage of gender role change in the early 1990s.
In the first episode of the Home Improvement, Jill (the wife) goes out on a job interview in her business suit, while Tim (the husband) stays home with their children. Before leaving the house, she explicitly tells Tim that he had better clean the dishes while she is gone for the interview and not to touch the new dishwasher. Tim walks outside to backyard where the next door neighbor Wilson is. He explains his situation and Wilson says that Tim feels lost as a man, and needs to reclaim his spirit and superiority. Tim replies to this by stating, “I’ll start by reclaiming that dishwasher.” He does not listen to his wife’s advice and attempt to install it by …show more content…
The goal of television sitcoms is to get people to laugh and enjoy what they are watching. But also have a huge effect on the socialization and can affect people’s attitude and behaviors toward the opposite sex. Today’s men and women are working side by side and the gender role must be maintained equal, and non-stereotyped. Also, since the media represent an image of the reality and influence many families, they should equally share the opportunities and promote healthy gender roles and
In the first episode of the Home Improvement, Jill (the wife) goes out on a job interview in her business suit, while Tim (the husband) stays home with their children. Before leaving the house, she explicitly tells Tim that he had better clean the dishes while she is gone for the interview and not to touch the new dishwasher. Tim walks outside to backyard where the next door neighbor Wilson is. He explains his situation and Wilson says that Tim feels lost as a man, and needs to reclaim his spirit and superiority. Tim replies to this by stating, “I’ll start by reclaiming that dishwasher.” He does not listen to his wife’s advice and attempt to install it by …show more content…
The goal of television sitcoms is to get people to laugh and enjoy what they are watching. But also have a huge effect on the socialization and can affect people’s attitude and behaviors toward the opposite sex. Today’s men and women are working side by side and the gender role must be maintained equal, and non-stereotyped. Also, since the media represent an image of the reality and influence many families, they should equally share the opportunities and promote healthy gender roles and