Stereotypes In Modern Family

When three diverse families come together, the result is unexpected but always entertaining. A refreshing departure from other family oriented sitcoms, Modern Family is one of the most creative and relatable TV shows of all time, owing its success to its diverse characters, witty dialogue intertwined with quirky storylines, and unique production that brings new light to family life in a modern age.

Many will argue that the most important part of any good TV show is its characters. The characters are what define the show, and Modern Family delivers. The characters are likeable, funny, and come from all different backgrounds. The main family is broken up into 3 smaller families. The Dunphys, a typical nuclear family made up of Phil, the fun-loving

Each character has their strengths and weaknesses, and even though their relationships are tested, they always make up in the end. Another important part of the characters is their ambitions and drive. Some of the characters show endless perseverance and ambition, such as Alex, who is constantly studying and trying to do well in school, at the expense of any social life. Other characters show a lack of ambition, like Hailey, who would rather crash a college party than spend time with her family or study for an exam. Another attribute of the characters in Modern Family is the stereotypes, and how they break them. Claire was portrayed as a typical housewife for a large part of the show, and yet when her kids were entering some of the most important stages in their lives, such as preparing for college, Claire went back to work at her father’s closet business, and would eventually go on to take over when he retired, all while helping her kids prepare for success (most of the time). Another example is Cam. Originally, his image revolved around stereotypes that probably would offend most gay men today. He was loud, overdramatic, used lots of hand gestures, and generally was portrayed as someone who preferred

What makes the storyline in Modern Family so good is that the viewer really never expects what happens next, leading to a feeling of shock, surprise, or laughter at every twist or turn. The storyline is written in such a way that it appeals to viewers of all ages, and people can relate to it because the plot involves issues any normal family might face. An example of this is an episode where Phil and Claire’s oldest daughter, Hailey, get her driver's license. The episode centers around the struggles Phil and Claire face trying to teach Hailey as well as the anxiety she has over failing the test. Another example is an episode centered around Phil’s birthday, which coincides with the release of the original iPad, the only present he wants. The struggles Claire goes to make his birthday wish come true is a true testament to the fantastic writing and acting. For all the charming and relatable storylines, there are some that are very different and go to extremes. One example is a recent episode, where Gloria’s sister, Sonia, accuses Gloria of stealing her chance to leave Colombia and live a successful life, and kidnaps Manny for revenge. Even though the storyline may be wild, the way that the script is written makes it seem like something that could happen to any normal family, even though it would be a long shot. The episodes always end well, because they are a family and always love and support each other, even