Analysis of Gender Roles in The Middle
Gender roles are standards set by society on how men and women should act. These stereotypes can be seen commonly on television. Although these stereotypes can be disagreeable, the show, The Middle, exaggerates these stereotypes for comedic effect and to create moments that everyone can relate to. The Middle clearly defines gender roles in their characters. These stereotypes can be seen in the characters, Mike and Frankie, through the contrast between their appearance, personality, and actions. Throughout the show, the characters are dressed to show contrast between men and women.
The show emphasizes the contrast between the characters with the colors and style of Mike and Frankie’s outfits. In both episodes, …show more content…
Whitt elaborates more on these stereotypes saying that, “men on television are rational, ambitious, smart, competitive, powerful, stable, violent, and tolerant, while women are sensitive, romantic, attractive, happy, warm, sociable, peaceful, fair, submissive, and timid”. In The Middle, Frankie and Mike share stereotypical personality traits for their gender. Mike, the father, is a man of few words in the show. He is the rock of the show. He is level headed, pessimistic, and boring. Frankie, the mother, can be lazy, but is always an optimist even though she is easily stressed out. In “Hecks at a Movie” Frankie is ecstatic to watch a movie scene filmed in their hometown, but Mike is indifferent and is dragged along by Frankie. For men in television, emotions are seen as a sign of weakness. Mike is seen as strong in the show because nothing gets to him. This idea of weakness with emotion gives the impression that women are weak because they can be overwhelmed with their emotions. Throughout the show, Frankie is always stressed out and Mike is there to keep her from getting upset. Frankie is portrayed as less competent than Mike, but the viewers forget that Frankie is a successful dental hygienist. There is more emphasis on Frankie’s actions when under stress than her success as a
Gender roles are standards set by society on how men and women should act. These stereotypes can be seen commonly on television. Although these stereotypes can be disagreeable, the show, The Middle, exaggerates these stereotypes for comedic effect and to create moments that everyone can relate to. The Middle clearly defines gender roles in their characters. These stereotypes can be seen in the characters, Mike and Frankie, through the contrast between their appearance, personality, and actions. Throughout the show, the characters are dressed to show contrast between men and women.
The show emphasizes the contrast between the characters with the colors and style of Mike and Frankie’s outfits. In both episodes, …show more content…
Whitt elaborates more on these stereotypes saying that, “men on television are rational, ambitious, smart, competitive, powerful, stable, violent, and tolerant, while women are sensitive, romantic, attractive, happy, warm, sociable, peaceful, fair, submissive, and timid”. In The Middle, Frankie and Mike share stereotypical personality traits for their gender. Mike, the father, is a man of few words in the show. He is the rock of the show. He is level headed, pessimistic, and boring. Frankie, the mother, can be lazy, but is always an optimist even though she is easily stressed out. In “Hecks at a Movie” Frankie is ecstatic to watch a movie scene filmed in their hometown, but Mike is indifferent and is dragged along by Frankie. For men in television, emotions are seen as a sign of weakness. Mike is seen as strong in the show because nothing gets to him. This idea of weakness with emotion gives the impression that women are weak because they can be overwhelmed with their emotions. Throughout the show, Frankie is always stressed out and Mike is there to keep her from getting upset. Frankie is portrayed as less competent than Mike, but the viewers forget that Frankie is a successful dental hygienist. There is more emphasis on Frankie’s actions when under stress than her success as a