Modern Family Response

Modern Family does a great job of breaking the barrier of making atypical family structure more mainstream in society and culture. By weaving three different family structures together in one show they are able to achieve an understanding that however a family is constructed, they all have similar issues, problems, and feelings in life in such a light and hilarious way. 

I think that the show would not have been accepted ten years ago, and maybe a bit ahead of it’s time five years ago. Society is now at a point where we are most aware of the evolution family structure is making. Gay marriage is at forefront of the countries debates and divorced couples are more present than ever. The way Modern Family conveys these emerging family structures is so equally seamless that ten years ago I don’t think people would have accepted such “alternate” lifestyles on TV as if they were “normal”. Today, the show is so popular because everyone is craving that idea of freeness and acceptance. 

I feel that the show somewhat portrays family life in America. I think that there are plenty of relatable connections that real families can make with the show like the lessons about family that come out of each episode. Though overall, the families are a bit grandiose at times. It is kind of obvious that the families are more upper-class which may make some people a bit more disconnected. A show that I think may more accurately portrays the everyday middle-class family is the show that comes on before Modern Family, called The Middle. Although they have a typical nuclear family set-up, they do a great job of showing the flaws and everyday issues that a working family has and making them so real and recognizable. From the dirty house to the broken washing machine to always showcasing the imperfections of parent-kid-family relationships in a hilarious way.