ABC's hit show Modern Family is seen as one of the most progressive shows on air at the moment. This comedy follows the lives of what many Americans have come to associate as the "modern family": a nuclear family (mother, father, son, and 2 daughters), a step family (step-father, step-mother, and son) and a two father household with an adopted Asian daughter. Through these examples viewers are exposed to the many different possibilities of what a family could be in modern times. No longer is a family just the nuclear model.
While I do love this show myself and frequently tune in to catch the latest episode, it is important to point out the stereotypical hispanic female character, Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (played by well-known Hispanic actress Sofia Vergara). She is the young, passionate and highly attractive wife of the wealthy Jay Pritchett (who is over 20 years older than her). As an immigrant from Colombia she has a different look on life than some of the other characters and has a VERY thick hispanic accent. Most of the comedy surrounding her character derives from the fact that most of the other characters cannot understand what she's saying (see video below).
She is an entertaining character and a viewer favorite, however much negativity is derived from the stereotypical hypersexuality of this Latina woman. Yes, she is beautiful and proud of her body. However, there is no denying that her big bosomed, curvy character does little to fight the stereotype facing Latina women in the media. (Not to slight this powerful woman's achievements: Sofia Vergara received the Hispanic Woman of the Year Award back in 1999 and was named one of the top 25 Most Powerful Hispanic Women in the Entertainment Industry in 2007 for her work with children's charity foundations she has created in her native Colombia.) source: Gloria (Sofia Vergara) Bio @ ABC.com
Consuela from Family Guy
by Eric Izaguirre
Another popular TV, Family Guy, depicts hispanic women (specifically immigrants) in a very different way. Meet Consuela. She is hired to take care of the household of the Griffin family by cooking and cleaning - with Lemon Pledge. She speaks very little english, except for a few phrases ("No...no" is her main go-to). Her character serves a purely comedic purpose, which makes sense because Family Guy is an animated, adult comedy television show.
However, there is no denying that the Mexican cleaning lady is very much a common stereotype throughout both TV and film. All of the women are typically older (mothers and grandmothers), speak little to no English, and work for wealthier, usually white families. Most come with highly ethnic names (Consuela, Lupe, Rosario etc.). While these women are typically very hard-working, their characters are frequently treated as jokes or servants meant to be put to work and not heard.
Gloria from ABC's Modern Family
by Eric IzaguirreABC's hit show Modern Family is seen as one of the most progressive shows on air at the moment. This comedy follows the lives of what many Americans have come to associate as the "modern family": a nuclear family (mother, father, son, and 2 daughters), a step family (step-father, step-mother, and son) and a two father household with an adopted Asian daughter. Through these examples viewers are exposed to the many different possibilities of what a family could be in modern times. No longer is a family just the nuclear model.
While I do love this show myself and frequently tune in to catch the latest episode, it is important to point out the stereotypical hispanic female character, Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (played by well-known Hispanic actress Sofia Vergara). She is the young, passionate and highly attractive wife of the wealthy Jay Pritchett (who is over 20 years older than her). As an immigrant from Colombia she has a different look on life than some of the other characters and has a VERY thick hispanic accent. Most of the comedy surrounding her character derives from the fact that most of the other characters cannot understand what she's saying (see video below).
She is an entertaining character and a viewer favorite, however much negativity is derived from the stereotypical hypersexuality of this Latina woman. Yes, she is beautiful and proud of her body. However, there is no denying that her big bosomed, curvy character does little to fight the stereotype facing Latina women in the media. (Not to slight this powerful woman's achievements: Sofia Vergara received the Hispanic Woman of the Year Award back in 1999 and was named one of the top 25 Most Powerful Hispanic Women in the Entertainment Industry in 2007 for her work with children's charity foundations she has created in her native Colombia.) source: Gloria (Sofia Vergara) Bio @ ABC.com
Consuela from Family Guy
by Eric IzaguirreAnother popular TV, Family Guy, depicts hispanic women (specifically immigrants) in a very different way. Meet Consuela. She is hired to take care of the household of the Griffin family by cooking and cleaning - with Lemon Pledge. She speaks very little english, except for a few phrases ("No...no" is her main go-to). Her character serves a purely comedic purpose, which makes sense because Family Guy is an animated, adult comedy television show.
However, there is no denying that the Mexican cleaning lady is very much a common stereotype throughout both TV and film. All of the women are typically older (mothers and grandmothers), speak little to no English, and work for wealthier, usually white families. Most come with highly ethnic names (Consuela, Lupe, Rosario etc.). While these women are typically very hard-working, their characters are frequently treated as jokes or servants meant to be put to work and not heard.
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