Gender and Sitcom
Using examples, discuss the way in which the situation comedy can be analysed in terms of gender.
This paper will explore in detail, the concept of gender and it’s relation to the situation comedy (sitcom), analysing both masculine and feminine gender roles within this popular genre of television. To gain a basic understanding of the theory included in the representation of gender in the sitcom, this paper will mainly draw on the research of television theorist Bret Mills. The well-known sitcom ‘Friends’ is the main television show I will extract examples from to demonstrate gender roles (stereotyped or not) throughout this paper.
In order to distinguish what is meant by the term ‘gender’, it is important to initially define at a basic level what gender embodies in its meaning. So, when referring to gender, we refer to masculinity and femininity which is culturally determined. People do however confuse gender with ‘sex’ as sex is biologically determined (male/female) which can also be considered ‘fixed’ as opposed to the flexibility of gender.
Biology need not be assumed to determine gender. This is to suggest that, while what makes a person male or female is universal and grounded in laws of nature, the precise ways in which women express their femininity and men express their masculinity will vary from culture to culture. Edgar, A. Sedgwick, P. (2000:158)
Now that we’ve distinguished what is meant by ‘gender’, we need to analyse the term ‘genre’ in relation to the situation comedy. Audiences are able to identify with the type of television programme, better known as’ iconography’, arguably one of the most important codes used by genre (Lacey, 1998).
When referring to genre in these terms, media text may be deemed predictable, however, when creating a genre piece, popular conventions must be incorporated so the viewer is able to relate to the events that occur.
There has been some dispute about the portrayal of sitcoms. Stereotypically, they
This paper will explore in detail, the concept of gender and it’s relation to the situation comedy (sitcom), analysing both masculine and feminine gender roles within this popular genre of television. To gain a basic understanding of the theory included in the representation of gender in the sitcom, this paper will mainly draw on the research of television theorist Bret Mills. The well-known sitcom ‘Friends’ is the main television show I will extract examples from to demonstrate gender roles (stereotyped or not) throughout this paper.
In order to distinguish what is meant by the term ‘gender’, it is important to initially define at a basic level what gender embodies in its meaning. So, when referring to gender, we refer to masculinity and femininity which is culturally determined. People do however confuse gender with ‘sex’ as sex is biologically determined (male/female) which can also be considered ‘fixed’ as opposed to the flexibility of gender.
Biology need not be assumed to determine gender. This is to suggest that, while what makes a person male or female is universal and grounded in laws of nature, the precise ways in which women express their femininity and men express their masculinity will vary from culture to culture. Edgar, A. Sedgwick, P. (2000:158)
Now that we’ve distinguished what is meant by ‘gender’, we need to analyse the term ‘genre’ in relation to the situation comedy. Audiences are able to identify with the type of television programme, better known as’ iconography’, arguably one of the most important codes used by genre (Lacey, 1998).
When referring to genre in these terms, media text may be deemed predictable, however, when creating a genre piece, popular conventions must be incorporated so the viewer is able to relate to the events that occur.
There has been some dispute about the portrayal of sitcoms. Stereotypically, they
References: Edgar, A and Sedgwick, P (eds.) 2000: Cultural Theory: The Key Concepts Routledge Lacey, N. 1998: Image and Representation: Key Concepts Mills, B. 2009: The Sitcom. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press Rowe, K. 1995: The unruly woman: Gender and the genres of laughter. University of Texas Press Spangler, L. 2003 Television Women From Lucy to Friends