Media Representations of Family in the <scp>U</scp> nited <scp>S</scp> tates

Abstract American media portrayals of family are tied to social, historical, and economic factors often overlooked in the contemporary debate about family ideals. Emerging out of a period of growth in the post‐World War II era, the nuclear family and its characteristics have been imbued into the daily discussions about the subject. The effect on gender, race, sexuality, and class in media portrayals has been studied by a range of scholars. Within gender, women seek to bridge the private and public spheres while men rarely find themselves represented at home. Minorities struggle for accurate portrayals that will destigmatize them. Meanwhile, LGBT families strive to be seen at all. Class finds itself commonly used to segment viewers, allowing them to identify both by behavior and spending habits. Mass media can provide both a repetitive and a hegemonic view of family, and a medium to challenge notions of family and create a societal discussion.