Compare the way that the nucleur family is shown in two different areas of the media

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Compare the way that the nucleur family is shown in two different areas of the media

The nucleur family is portrayed in the media in different ways depending on its purpose. Comedy programmes, like “My family” show the light hearted side of family life, in order to make the audience laugh and relate with the happy side of family, whereas soap operas, such as “Eastenders”, show the darker side of family and all the problems which a family can go through at times in their lives.

The comedy show My Family, shows Ben Harper; the stereotypical harassed father of the family, his wife, Susan, an “intelligent sharp, and witty, but somewhat a control freak” and their family life with their three children. Nick, the eldest is a slow witted, incompetent but nonetheless has a charm about him which wins over everyone, except for his father. Janie is a stereotypical teenage girl, obsessed with boys, fashion and her looks. The youngest boy Michael; is a studious, serious boy who is arguably brighter than his two siblings, and often his parents. Throughout the series the family changes, Janie leaves for university and becomes a single mother, at which point the rather dull-witted and naive Abi moves in, becoming a sort of surrogate daughter for the Harpers before Janie returns, having dropped out of university and found a flat near to her family. The fifth series then had Nick finally move into his own flat. Whilst Michael is growing into the stereotypical teenage boy, becoming obsessed with girls and how they think of him.

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My Family shows the norms of a family life cycle, the children growing up and leaving, new members coming in, and the way that the characters bounce off each other is actually realistic whilst being entertaining. Ben Harper is constantly exasperated with his children, whilst his wife Susan adores them and constantly encourages Ben to show his children affection. The family rarely show any serious issues as they want to keep a comedy programme light hearted, and most problems are resolved easily, within the episode.

On the other hand; families in soap operas such as the Millers from ...

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