CHAPTER 3 TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

Chapter 3 Tutorial Questions

1. Examine class representations from American television's beginnings to today's sitcoms, reality shows, police dramas and daytime talk shows.

An american television program, only the 'white' american will be portrayed. Eventually, the races in american television became more diverse, most notably with the addition of asians and africans as actors and actresses. As for reality shows and daytime talk shows, they are always the one doing the dirty job or the background jobs and have less airtime. As for today, the African Americans are seen to appear more on television in a positive light instead showing negative image. An example would be like the police drama Criminal Minds.

2. What is the American Dream and how has it been portrayed on television? Who has it excluded and why?

The "American Dream" can be defined as the notion that the American social,economic, and political system makes success possible for every individual.

It is where the capitalist system brings happiness, perfect health and wealth to every American. It is having a perfection in reality such as a married couple have a sweet family by having one son and one daughter.

3. How do media representations of class reflect the larger social system and social inequality?

The media representations of class as a reflection of the larger social system and social inequality is somewhat true. The only difference is that media tends to over-exaggerate certain points but that is how they make things clear. However, there are times when they portray a form of biasness, such as having the white men having all the power and the minorities and having little to no power.

Furthermore, media representations of class happen to be encouraging their portrayals in real-life situations rather than spreading awareness regarding it.

4. How is the working class portrayed when it has been represented?

The working class are often shown to be struggling not only in their work life but also their social life. 

It is very rare to see the media portray kind hearted bosses unless the characters are to be killed during the early parts of films.

5. What are the struggles faced in trying to get a show about working class people on TV?

In this modern society, there are real people and real work situations can be very tough not only because of timing issues but as well as not wanting to portray their true selves. In face, what you see in reality televisions are a type of fabrication of what they truly are. No one wants to be seen in a bad light, especially on nationwide television broadcasts.

No matter how well you manage to capture the work life situation, it can never be 100% accurate, especially since everyone experiences their own life differently.

6. How are race and gender intertwined with class on TV?

Race of the white people are often shown to be rich, high integrity and classy kind of people where as the minorities are often shown to be poor, the evil person and the trashy kind of people.

Gender, for men are often shown to be the heroes who has the power basically. The women are often shown to be weak, similar functions to a maid and belong in the kitchen.