Those were the days

When comparing Modern Family to All in the Family, the differences are quite striking but still based on the common similarities. Modern Family is a contemporary family based TV sitcom that depicts three different family situations and the issues that they face in their own ways.  All in the Family is a sitcom that shows the life of one family, the Bunkers, and an issue that is mocked to illustrate an issue at the time. However, because of audience interpretation and bias, both sitcoms are presented in a satirical and comedic way.

All in the Family was a mockery of the stereotypes present in a society. In contrast, Modern Family reveals how socially acceptable these stereotypes have become. For example, the issue of homosexuality is especially frowned about and viewed in a negative way in All in the Family, while in Modern Family, one of the families being shown is a homosexual couple that reveals how commonly acceptable homosexuality has become.

Archie Bunker, the main character of All in the Family is comparable to the modern Jay Pritchett. They are both satirical characters that have trouble showing emotions and convey stereotypical thoughts. The sitcoms are also similar in that the families portrayed have the same family functions and engage in family bonding. The Bunkers begin with a song they sing together and Modern Family ends with a large family gathering.

Another Issue that is brushed up on is the issue of gender roles. In All in the Family, Edith Bunker is viewed as a woman incapable of intellectual capacity of any kind. For example, she is fascinated by the thought of what happens after a snapshot is taken. In Modern Family, women have taken a more dominant role, guiding the course of a relationship and managing the family. For example, Gloria Delgado-Pritchett is capable of making her husband act according to her whims. When insulting her heritage, Gloria makes Jay beat meat and yell, claiming it as a Colombian tradition.

Both sitcoms introduce social realism and controversy in particular societal situations while still maintaining the image of a domestic family. Both sitcoms explored the issue of homosexuality and gender roles but in different contexts. The difference is that in Modern Family, the issue of raising a child in a homosexual relation arises. In All in the Family, homosexuality is not looked into in depth. Additionally, while All in the Family deals with racism, Modern Family does not. Instead, it explores interracial marriages like the marriage between Jay and Gloria. While older sitcoms show particular issues, newer sitcoms commonly expand on older issues and represent newer issues.

The episode of Modern Family I thought was particularly interesting: Modern Family