Old Guys Rule

Everyone has predetermined judgments on people based on stereotypes. The show Modern Family exploits these stereotypes to create a hilarious sitcom. It tells the lives of three families that are different yet similar. The father, and grandfather, Jay, represents a demographic that is the oldest generation. From this character, the message is sent that older, white males hold traditional values and want attention and power.

It is clear from the beginning that Jay is a traditional, older male. The episode begins with Jay at the country club with his five year old son, Joe. It is the first time Joe has swung a golf club, and he is a natural. Jay can’t believe it so he calls over one of the instructors. The conversation switches instantly to Jay’s age. The instructor assumes Joe is Jay’s grandson. This shows that even when talking about others he is thinking about himself and how he can change the conversation. When they return home, Jay makes a big deal about the food Manny and Joe can eat because Joe is going to be this great athlete. While this is happening, he is telling Manny and Gloria that this is going to be his second coming. He is going to caddy Joe to major championships. Once again, it reinforces the norms that this demographic is self centered. Jay is trying to relive his childhood through his son Joe. He doesn’t care about the costs that it might have on Joe’s social life and development.

Jay’s traditional values and ideas are quick to be expressed as well. Jay is not afraid to swear in front of his son who is only five. This is totally against today’s parenting code. By Jay using this language, it shows the difference in how he grew up, probably hearing those words everyday as a kid. These traditional viewpoints continue to show by Jay making a joke about gay people and closets. Even though Jay has a gay son, it is clear that there is still a little discomfort. This comes from growing up when being gay was considered socially unacceptable. Another past value of Jay’s is when he is giving Joe a pep talk and says, “step on their fingers.” At this point in time, the cultural transmission of being nicer in sports and participation trophies has become the norm. It shows how Jay still has that 60s, 70s, 80s mentality about males and being aggressive.

Throughout the episode, Jay shows that he wants to have control of the house. Jay talks to Gloria about entering Joe into a youth golf tournament. Gloria remembers her childhood and believes the immense pressure of sports and success on young kids is bad. Jay enters Joe anyway. This reinforces the norm that men are the head of the household. This can be detrimental to young viewers as society is changing to more equal say in the house. Jay shows his dominance again at the end when Manny comes in to perform his ribbon dance. Jay is playing hide and seek with Joe but really only watching tv. As Manny comes in, Jay immediately finds Joe and says he is hiding. We get the message that if the father wants to leave he can even if it hurts his kids’ feelings.

Modern Family is meant to be a show for the everyday person. It shows different family styles in very relatable situations which builds a connection. In this case, Modern Family is sending a negative message to the viewers. It is telling us that old school, traditional values and ideas and okay in our very modern and changing society. Men should be the head of the household and have a right to a second coming at older ages. It also shows that we should give the older generation a pass when they make crude remarks. They are just a product of their environment from when they were younger. This is a negative piece of media as it reinforces the older, white male trope, and the idea that they are allowed to be attention hungry brutes.

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