Women in Power on Television

I never realized how powerful the roles of characters are in new television shows. Gender roles are beginning to play a major factor in television shows that carry over into the real world. After our readings and class discussions about girl power and the roles females are beginning to play on television, I have been taking a closer look at the shows I watch and the gender roles that are being performed. This week when I was watching Up All Night, a television show that stars Christina Applegate in the role of a new mother who has a full time career. Her husband stays home and takes care of the baby while Christina is busy at work having a successful career. When I thought I about this as I watching, I found it interesting that the woman immediately went back to work having a child and the man quit his job to stay home and raise the kids. I never realized how the media is changing gender roles on television to match the roles men and women are bringing to play in real life. In today’s society it is not uncommon for men to stay home while the women work, whereas years ago it was more uncommon. The media is empowering women to take on new roles.
I also noticed this happening in the reality television shows of the real housewives. In past season the women relied on their husband’s to make all the money while the women sat around having dinner parties and shopping all day. In newer seasons the women are seen having more power and authority in the show by working and having their own careers so they can be more successful then just being a professional shopper. In the real housewives of Orange County, almost all of the women this season are shown having a new career and drive for themselves to accomplish something.