I began analyzing and composing a long list of a variety of television shows. All of the programs I selected are viewed on major T.V. networks, such as ABC, ABC Family, TBS, NBC, and so on.
I noticed that in the nineteen-nineties up to the present day, women in television are portrayed as either making less than men, but maintain a comfortable home or a successful woman in her career, but in some way sacrificing her personal life to do so. I decided to single out Seinfeld, 30 Rock and Gilmore Girls, because the strong female roles are played by women who work hard and take their careers quite seriously, but their home lives have several flaws.
For instance, Seinfeld's character Elaine, works in the publishing industry and is extremely goal oriented, but throughout the show, Elaine's uptight, whiny personality causes her to have relationship troubles. 30 Rock's, Liz Lemon, a writer for a successful fictional show, is continuously having difficulty balancing her personal life and her professional life. Liz is portrayed as a clumsy woman in her late thirties with day dreams of having a family, but between her male boss pressuring her to succeed and lack of a spouse is an issue. Gilmore Girls is a show about the struggles of a single mom, Lorelei, and her only daughter, Rory, who both face several obstacles, but always grow and push through their troubles. I personally, adore this show and found it hard to analyze because both Lorelei and Rory are extremely strong, independent, and empowered women. Although Lorelei faced criticism for having a teenage pregnancy, not marrying Rory's father, and also having an overall rocky love life through out the shows seven year span, she went to business school and opened her own Inn. As for Rory, she is a beautiful young woman who graduated top of her high school class and graduated from Yale University, but during the show 's final episodes, Rory was proposed to and passed up marrying her boyfriend due to the opportunity to follow President Obama during his Presidential campaign and in hopes of becoming a journalist.
What do you think of today's television shows and media and it's portrayal of women? Do you think women can't have the "best of both worlds"? Or do you think they can?
I would have to agree that television tends to portray woman as either, successful in there working life and struggling at home or vice-versa. In the show Gossip Girl, Lilly Bass an owner of a huge multimillion dollar company handles all the companies duties and finances perfectly while putting on a front that her life is wonderful and easy. The reality within the show is different her children are a mess constantly getting in trouble and doing things that Lilly feels might damage her appearance. So in turn she constantly is paying to keep people silent for her reputations sake. I would have to say that media does not think woman can have the best of both world. But also if they could, what would be the entertainment factor. Problems and some form of dysfunction is often a key part of televisions story lines.
ReplyDelete