Blog post written in reaction to the following article:
The popular TV series Modern
Family has won the hearts and minds of my generation and my parent’s for
its representation of alternative family systems and its position that a family
can still function in a healthy (albeit humorous) way, even when straying from
the Cleaver-esque style of home. However, the TV show still has its pitfalls
when it comes to gender roles and minority groups. Claire and Gloria, who are
both strong women in their own right, are often portrayed as harsh, hysterical,
and unorganized. Yes, the show unabashedly represents a homosexual family
system, but has the show really pushed as many boundaries as we give it credit
for?
In this article, Bello describes the process of falling in
love with her female best friend, and the experience of coming out to her young
son. She questions the definition of ‘partner’, wondering if the man she loved
and with whom she had her son (who she sees on a daily basis but the two are no
longer romantically involved) can still be her partner, or if the definition
must be limited to the person with whom she most often shares her bed. Bello
posits that the definition of a modern family is not necessarily a
nontraditional family, but rather a more honest family – variations from the
traditional American family system are everywhere we look, and if we allow
ourselves to let go of the anxiety of our differences, we open up more space
for familial love.
I like this concept of an "honest family" rather than a modern family. Homosexuality is not modern, it is something that has existed forever. The acceptance of homosexuality is also not modern (especially considering it is still hardly accepted), it is being decent. If I ever decide to start a family I'd love to have an honest family.
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