Family Meets 2012

Submitted by: Christopher DiNicola
Family Meets 2012

Throughout the past generations there have been many changes in the meaning of the word "family" and how they are constructed today compared to yesterday.  TV shows from the 90's give us somewhat of a perception of how the "normal" family operated in that era.  For example, popular TV show Boy Meets World had a household which consisted of a mother, father, two sons, and a daughter but their "family" extended outside of their household walls.

Clockwise from the left:  Eric Matthews (Older son), Amy Matthews (Mother), Alan Matthews (Father), George Feeney, Shawn Hunter, Morgan Matthews (Daughter), and Cory Matthews (Younger son).

Boy Meets World is a perfect example of the former parenting model consisting of Alan as the bread winner and Amy as the house wife or nurturer.  The family model is also consistant with many of the definitions of a typical family we discussed in class such as, "Family consists of those who live under the same roof" and "A parent or parents and their children".  Eric and Matthew (sons) were assigned chores that were more man like than the fewer chores Morgan had to do which were more feminine.  Mr. Feeney, their neighbor and highschool principal, acted as an outside family member by being a mentor to all members of the family but mainly to Eric, Cory, and their other "family" member Shawn, who is Cory's best friend.

Today, we know that it is more likely for both parents to be breadwinners or even for a single parent as a result of the high rate of divorce to raise a family of the same size which is more similar to Cory's girlfriend Topanga's family situation.  We also know that in our era not only males take on the manly responsibilites both in and outside of the house because of the constant change in gender roles. Morgan's age throughout the series was more the reason for the fewer chores rather than making men take on the higher end of the load which is consistant with gender role stereotypes of the 80's and 90's.

If you have not been able to see changes in family for yourself then just look at TV!  Many series about the typical family today include many of the changes taking place such as in the division of labor, childbearing outside of marriage, and cohabitation.  Other changes like living with step and half siblings, multiple generations, and same sex couples especially same sex parenting are being televised now more than ever.  Though TV should not be used to make perceptions on reality or others it definitely keeps up with the changes in our society and family even though it may not pertain to your lifestyle in particular.