Male Characters in Television Shows

I was recently watching an episode of one of my favorite television shows, Modern Family. I can't express enough how much I enjoy watching this t.v. series. However, as much as I like watching Modern Family, I can't help but notice and nitpick all the gender stereotypes in this series. Like many American television shows, father characters are usually depicted as incompetent, non-intelligent males and mother characters often assume the role as a responsible, sensible parent figure who always seems to pick up the father's slack. Ty Burrell's character, Phil Dunphy on Modern Family for instance portrays the inept, but "cool" dad on the hit sitcom. On the other hand, Phil Dunphy's significant other, Claire Dunphy (played by actress Julie Bowen) portrays a perfectionist, control-freak mom who in a way, restores order in the family unit.
Modern Family isn't the only American television show that expresses false gender stereotypes. Other hit t.v. shows like Family Guy, Good Luck Charlie, and South Park (among many others) hinges on the giant cliche of the inept father. The issues with television shows that embrace the bumbling dad cliche are:
1. These sitcoms rarely represent what being a parent is actually like.
2. They insult great fathers.
3. They embrace and showcase inaccurate gender norms and stereotypes.
In fact, there is plenty of research that suggests father's are more engaged with their children and are better at raising them than even before. Even though I'm not a father, as a mother I am insulted at the way male and female parents are still portrayed in t.v. shows. Yes, I still watch Modern Family despite its display of unfortunate gender stereotypes because the show also displays great diversity and promotes other good values. Additionally, not all the father characters in Modern Family embody their expected gender roles. Overall, this family centered sitcom more often than not parallels the changes of society, and simultaneously serves as an example for society's slow progression in eliminating gender stereotypes.