The Brady Bunch
Transcript: Comparing The Brady Bunch to Real Families Isabel Vitkin Questions to Consider Comparing the Brady Bunch to Real Families When attempting the examine the popular American sitcom, 'The Brady Bunch', from a social sciences perspective there are a few key questions to consider. 1. How does social sciences describe the dynamics within the Brady Bunch? 2. Does the Brady Bunch represent real families? 3. Which would be the best social sciences theories to analyze the Brady Bunch? Who are the Brady Bunch? The Brady Bunch features a blended family. The mother, Carol has 3 daughters, while the father, Mike has 3 sons. Carol and Mike marry and their union creates the Brady Bunch. The show's premise focuses on how the step-children get along with their parents, as well as other the other kids. However, the word "step" is never mentioned; as Carol states, "the only 'steps' in the family are the ones going up to the second floor." Carol and Mike treat all the children as their own which is very accepting. This is very realistic in todays' society, where there are many blended families. As well, there is Alice, the housekeeper, who provides comic relief and gives pieces of excellent advice. Who are the Brady Bunch? Mike and Carol Here is a video clip from the Brady Bunch, showing the positive dynamic between members of the family. Video Clip What Roles are Portrayed by Members of the Brady Bunch? Mother: Carol- traditional, doesn't have a job, always kind, loving, positive, the 'ultimate' mother. Father: Mike- traditional, breadwinner of the family, laid-back, fun, the 'perfect' dad Family Roles Children Sons: Greg, Peter, Bobby- sterotypical boys: like to play fight, tease others, play practical jokes, like sports Daughters: Marcia, Jan, Cindy- sterotypical girls: Marica: likes to gossip, flirt with boys, concerned about her appearance, Jan: adventurous, Cindy: still plays with dolls, baby of the family Children Theme Song to the Brady Bunch Theme Song to the Brady Bunch Family Dynamcis of the Show In each episode there are the small trials of growing up within the Brady Bunch family. There are constant sibling rivalries, preteen and teenager dilemnas, and situations that the charaters or family must solve. There are many life, moral, and parent lessons taught. Between those lessons there is always some comedy, and every episode has a happy ending. Family Dynamcis of the Show Clip from the Show Clip from the Show Are these Family Dynamics realistic? The family dynamics in the Brady Bunch are not realistic. The dynamic portrayed are too "rosy", with mostly positive interactions between characters. This is not how a real blended family would act; most of the time everyone gets along too well and the problems they face are silly and light. Once in a while there are incidents where the kids fight or a major event goes wrong. These incidents are resolved in funny ways and attempt to show the audience what is really important in life. Dynamics Real? Pic from Pilot show In the pilot episode, the dog and cat ruin all the expensive wedding preparations, but still Carol and Mike embrace, laugh and say what a nice, quiet wedding it is. Example A Real Family? Does the Brady Bunch resemble a real family? No, the Brady Bunch does not resemble a real family. The family dynamic are often too silly and light to be realistic, ex. which boy should Marica date or which cheerleader Greg should pick. The episodes didn't get into the difficult 1970 racial or feminist societal issues or even other issues like the anti-war protests. Reasons - why not Reasons - why not The Brady Bunch lives in a immense, spotless house in a beautiful, white Los Angeles neighbourhood. This would be too expensive to upkeep if the father is the sole breadwinner supporting 6 children, a wife and a housekeeper. The division of labour is unfair within the family; don't see kids helping with all the chores. The episodes deal with light childhood issues such as a lost doll or teenage angst and don't delve into the difficult racial/gender/ecomonic issues of the 1970s which is when the show was filmed. Real society was dealing with poverty, anti-war protsts, the feminist movement,drugs and the enviroment movement but none of these issues are were included in the plots. The family never has disagreements that last longer than a minute or two. Double click to watch. Greg chosing which girl should win the school cheerleading contest. Totally sexist panel of judges. Clip from the Show Social Sciences Theories Social Sciences Theories The Brady Bunch emphasizes the importance of relationship dynamics between the family members. Each episode focuses on a sterotypical gender or age social problem of the family and shows how to resolving it. Cindy is often taught about what to do or how to handle a situation through relationship dynamics as she is the youngest. As the Brady Bunch empathizes these family dynamics, the symbolic interaction theory could be used to anaylze the show.