Thesis Statement

             In this paper, I will be critically analyzing the seemingly diverse representations of maternal figures on the hit TV series “Modern Family,” by exploring the ways that mothering is constituted traditionally by keeping the primary caregivers within the domestic sphere. Specifically, I will argue that the character Claire fits into the most common stereotype of the perfect mother since she is unemployed and is the primary care provider for her three children.  Secondly, I will argue that the character of Gloria plays up the new age ideal for a mother in the eyes on a man, she is beautiful and acts more as a friend to her son Manny than as a caring mother, also she isn’t seen performing any of the same type of chores as Claire is.  Lastly, I will explore the character of Cameron, a homosexual father of an adopted Vietnamese baby Lilly, who despite having a seemingly different responsibility to demonstrate the style of a different household, falls under the same stereotypes as a “perfect” mother.  The show does its best to demonstrate families in a “modern” way, but through the expectations of the producers the show doesn’t do the real modern families of America justice.