TV family values : gender, domestic labor, and 1980s sitcoms

During the 1980s, U.S. television experienced a reinvigoration of the family sitcom genre. In __TV Family Values__, Alice Leppert focuses on the impact the decade's television shows had on middle class family structure. These sitcoms sought to appeal to upwardly mobile “career women” and were often structured around non-nuclear families and the reorganization of housework. Drawing on Foucauldian and feminist theories, Leppert examines the nature of sitcoms such as __Full House__, __Family Ties__, __Growing Pains__, __The Cosby Show__, and __Who's the Boss?__ against the backdrop of a time period generally remembered as socially conservative and obsessed with traditional family values. During the 1980s, U.S. television experienced a reinvigoration of the family sitcom genre. This book focuses on the impact the decade's television shows had on middle class family structure. These sitcoms sought to appeal to upwardly mobile "career women" and were often structured around non-nuclear families and the reorganization of housework. Drawing on Foucauldian and feminist theories, the author examines the nature of sitcoms such as Full House, Family Ties, Growing Pains, The Cosby Show, and Who's the Boss? against the backdrop of a time period generally remembered as socially conservative and obsessed with traditional family values During the 1980s, U.S. television experienced a reinvigoration of the family sitcom genre. In TV Family Values, Alice Leppert focuses on the impact the decade's television shows had on the middle class family structure. These sitcoms sought to appeal to upwardly mobile "career women" and were often structured around non-nuclear families and the reorganization of housework. Drawing on Foucauldian and feminist theories, Leppert examines the nature of sitcoms such as Full House, Family Ties, Growing Pains, The Cosby Show, and Who's the Boss? Selling Ms. Consumer -- "I can't help feeling maternal-I'm a father!": domesticated dads and career women -- Solving the day-care crisis, one episode at a time: family sitcoms and privatized child care in the 1980s -- "You could call me the maid-but I wouldn't": lessons in masculine domestic labor -- Disrupting the fantasy: Reagan era realities and feminist pedagogies -- Conclusion During The 1980s, U.s. Television Experienced A Reinvigoration Of The Family Sitcom Genre. Drawing On Foucauldian And Feminist Theories, Alice Leppert Examines The Nature Of Sitcoms Against The Backdrop Of A Time Period Generally Remembered As Socially Conservative And Obsessed With Traditional Family Values.