The Outfitter's Shop Week Eleven: TV Watching by Trent Online

2026-05-14 19:34:59 UTC

TV Show with Family Form Types: Modern Family- a TV show that I have recently watched is Modern Family. This TV show includes a non-traditional family form because the show has a blended interracial family. Jay Pritchett and Gloria Delgado-Pritchett are married, and Gloria has a son from a previous relationship. Another example is Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucket, who are a same-sex couple raising an adopted daughter, Lily. This show shows a lot of non-nuclear family structures and shows that families can have different structures and still provide support and care for each other.

TV Show with Elderly: A movie that I have watched numerous times is The Notebook. At the beginning of the movie, it shows the two characters is a nursing home, and Allie suffers with memory loss which creates a challenge in her everyday life and not being able to remember her family, and her husband, Noah, whom she had a very loving relationship with. The majority of the movie is seen as a ‘memory’ of all the memories they had when they were younger, it demonstrates Noah reading Allie their memories, but showing it throughout the movie. Noah is portrayed as caring and devoted to Allie because he continues to reread their story to her and support her and try to help her memory so she can remember their relationship. This representation includes both positive and negative aspects of aging. The movie shows the reality of aging with memory loss, and other health diagnoses, but it also portrays older adults are still capable of love, emotional connection and still deserve to live out their meaningful relationships, even in nursing homes.

TV Watching

2026-05-18 21:49:11 UTC

A tv show with a non-nuclear family form would have to be South Park with Kartman’s family upbringing. There isn’t a father figure present in his family. The type of family form represented is a single parent household.

A TV show I’ve watched recently was Family Guy where the elderly person from Lois’ side is portrayed positively. Lois’ parent are wealthy, posh and not frail unlike the portrayal of Homer’s father in The Simpsons.

Shameless / X

2026-05-25 15:47:57 UTC

When I think of a more “unconventional” family structure on screen, the TV show Shameless immediately comes to mind. Frank and Monica have six kids, Fiona, Lip, Ian, Debby, Carl and Liam. However, they often do not act as parents. The oldest child, Fiona, practically had to raise all of her siblings from a young age, as her parents struggled with both mental health and addiction issues. The Gallagher family is depicted as extremely chaotic; there is hardly ever a calm moment in their household throughout the whole show. The Gallaghers are depicted negatively, given the chaos of their household. Despite this negative depiction, writers utilize the family to examine systemic issues in the United States. The Gallaghers may be unpredictable, but they are how some Americans live.

Before I started writing this activity, I did not realize how little I had seen of elderly people on screen. The first prominent example that comes to my mind is the scary elderly couple in the horror movie ‘X’. Obviously, it is not a positive depiction of elderly people. The character of the old lady, Pearl, presents a representation that portrays elderly people, especially elderly women, as jealous of women who still have youth. - Madeleine Fargo

Week 12

2026-05-27 22:05:10 UTC

One TV show that includes a non-traditional family form is Modern Family. The show represents several different family structures rather than only the traditional nuclear family. For example, one family includes a same-sex married couple raising an adopted child, while another includes a blended family with a large age gap between spouses and stepchildren. The show presents these family forms as normal and loving, which challenges the idea that only one type of family is “correct.” It highlights how families today can be diverse while still providing support, care, and stability.

One movie that includes an elderly person is Up. The elderly character, Carl Fredricksen, is portrayed mostly in a positive way. At first, he is shown as lonely, stubborn, and grieving the loss of his wife, but throughout the movie he becomes adventurous, caring, and emotionally open. The film presents older adults as capable of growth, meaningful relationships, and exciting experiences rather than portraying aging only as decline or weakness. This representation challenges negative stereotypes about elderly people being helpless or unimportant.

WEEK 12

2026-05-28 19:45:58 UTC

Modern Family is a newer TV show that features a nontraditional (non-nuclear) family form. The show has a mix of family types, including a blended family and an extended family that lives in separate homes but is still tight-knit. An example is Jay Pritchett’s family, which includes his second wife, Gloria, and her son, Manny, indicating a stepfamily/blended family model rather than a traditional nuclear family, which is made up of two biological parents and their children. The show reveals how these families continue to be supportive and loving units even if they don’t fit the “traditional” mould. The Intern is a movie that features an elderly character. The old character, Ben Whittaker, is presented very positively. He is presented as experienced, wise and adaptable rather than dependent or out of touch. He thrives in a modern office environment and builds meaningful relationships with younger colleagues. This challenges negative stereotypes about aging by demonstrating that older adults can remain active, valuable and able members of society.

Fuller House

2026-05-29 17:22:03 UTC

A TV show that includes a non-traditional family form is Fuller House. The show portrays a single-parent household where DJ. Tanner is raising her children after becoming widowed, and she also lives with her sister Stephanie and her best friend Kimmy, who all help co-parent the kids. This creates a "chosen family" structure, where multiple adults share caregiving responsibilities instead of a traditional nuclear family with two parents.

The show also includes an elderly character, Danny Tanner. Danny is portrayed as a caring and involved grandfather figure who is very present in his grandchildren's lives. He is shown in a positive way, often being responsible, supportive, and very family-oriented, though he is sometimes also shown as overly neat and sometimes strict, which plays into mild stereotypes about older adults being set in their ways.

Stranger Things and Harry Potter

2026-05-30 14:08:13 UTC

Non-traditional family: In the TV show, Stranger Things, the Byers family is a non-traditional family where Joyce raises her two sons, Will and Jonathan on her own. In the show, there is a sense that things are harder for this type of family where money appears to always be a challenge and often things like family meals are difficult as Joyce is often working. The older sibling often needs to step in and act like a parent figure in the absence of mom. Although there is no stereotypical “mom, dad and kids” the Byers family are portrayed as a very loving and loyal family showing that you don’t need to fit a mold to be a good family.

Elderly person: In the Harry Potter movies, Dumbledore is one of the oldest characters and the wisest wizard in the series of books and movies. He is presented as an old man with immense wisdom and deep knowledge about the world. He can predict outcomes seemingly based on his depth of experience. Dumbledore is a very positive representation of age. Despite his age, he is physically capable, mentally sharp and wiser than all. Dumbledore is not portrayed as getting weaker with the passing of time but rather, the opposite.

Modern Family

2026-06-03 14:55:40 UTC

One show that I watched recently is Modern family, Modern Family includes the non-traditional family form as it shows many different family forms. It includes a blended family, a same sex couple raising an adopted baby, an older man married to a younger woman with a son, and then the traditional family. Modern Family also includes an older person and he is portrayed as grumpy and stubborn, and this is mostly in a negative way.

week 11

2026-06-08 00:50:13 UTC

A TV show that I have recently watched that includes a non-traditional family form is Mom. It follows a single mother, Christy, raising her children while dealing with the recovery from addiction and financial struggles as well as multigenerational family relationships and chosen family networks created through the addiction recovery group. A tv show that I have seen that includes an elderly person is Grace and Frankie. Throughout the show it follows two women in their seventies coping with the fact that their husbands are in love with one another and plan to marry. I believe it represented an elderly person in a positive way by portraying them as capable and independent while also showing that their identities go beyond being grandparents and retirement.

Week 11

2026-06-08 02:10:35 UTC

A TV show I have watched that includes a non-traditional family form is Gilmore Girls. The show focuses on a single-mother family, instead of the traditional 2 parent household. Lorelei raises Rory on her own while relying on support from friends and her extended family, the show portrays their close relationship in a positive way and demonstrated that families can be successful and supportive even when they do not fit the traditional family model.

The show includes an elderly person who is Rory’s grandmother, Emily Gilmore. She is portrayed as an older adult who is intelligent, independent, and influential within her family. Although she can sometimes be seen as controlling, she is not represented as helpless or incapable because of her age. Overall, the show represents her in a mostly positive way by showing that older adults can remain active, engaged, and important family members of families and communities.

Week 11

2026-06-09 03:41:25 UTC

A show I recently rewatched that was based on a non-traditional family would be full house. Full house is about a man named Danny Tanner who is responsible for raising his three daughters as a single dad. What makes this a very non-traditional family is that Danny is helped in raising his daughters by his brother in law and his best friend. The show focuses heavily on the aspect of family not only being something you're born into but rather something you can choose and create. This chosen family per se does not have the typical mother figure that a traditional family often has which makes it quite different as there is a complete lack of a strong female mother figure.

A show I recently watched that has an elderly person in it is called a man on the inside. The show is about an elderly man who takes up the job as a private investigator/spy and takes on cases while learning the ropes of the job. The show portrayed the elderly man as a kind hearted man who had good intentions and was a seemingly innocent and kind man who was just trying to crack the case. Overall they definitely portrayed him in a positive way and as a good man rather than a negative or stingy way.

Week 11

2026-06-09 14:57:25 UTC

One movie I watched recently that included a non-traditional family form was Guardians of the Galaxy. The main characters are not related by blood, but they develop a very strong relationship and function as a family throughout the whole movie. This is an example of a chosen family, where people create close family-like bonds even though they are not biologically related. Throughout the movie, the characters support and care for each other, which then shows that families can exist in many different forms beyond the traditional nuclear family.

Another movie that I watched recently that included elderly people was Up. The main character, Carl Fredrickson, is an older man who goes on an adventure after the death of his wife. He was portrayed in a mostly positive way because he was shown as independent, and determined despite his age. The movies challenged stereotypes that older adults are weak or unable to live active lives, while also showing some of the challenges that can come with aging.

Week 11

2026-06-09 17:29:00 UTC

One television program that I have recently watched, which highlights a non-traditional family structure, is Full House. The series portrays three men who are raising three young girls after the death of their mother. This family setup is considered non-traditional as it does not include two parents and their children living together. Instead, it is the extended family members and close friends who come together to provide care, support, and guidance to the children. From my own understanding, the series demonstrates that families can be nurturing and successful even when they do not adhere to the conventional nuclear family model. A film that features an elderly character is Up. Carl plays a character of an older man who is depicted in a largely positive manner. Although he experiences feelings of grief and loneliness following the loss of his wife, he is also shown to be resilient, adventurous and compassionate. The film challenges the stereotype that older adults are unable to be active to pursue new experiences however, it illustrates that they can continue to grow and build meaningful relationships later in life.

Unforgiven & No Country for Old Men

2026-06-09 17:32:59 UTC

A movie with a non-traditional family structure is Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992). The main character, played by Eastwood, lives on a small pig farm in the middle of nowhere with his two children; his wife died a few years ago. He explains to other characters that his wife was the reason he gave up his past life of drinking and killing for money—but her influence is dwindling as the reality of his poverty (and his children’s bleak future) sinks in; and then disappears entirely as a man shows up claiming there’s a cash reward for killing two men. He joins him, eventually starts drinking again, and ends up killing several men before taking the cash reward, returning home to his kids (who are never shown again), and leaving his farm. Some text at the end says he becomes a dry goods merchant in another state, but it’s unclear whether he’s still living sinfully or not. This movie suggests that the lack of maternal/feminine influence can be catastrophic for a man, positioning his wife as the centre of his moral compass. Whether this points to a special strength in his wife or a weakness in Eastwood is up for debate; but the lack of a complete family unit is felt in every moment of this film, as Eastwood strays further from the “forgiveness” (with God) that his wife helped him achieve.

A movie I’ve watched recently with an old person is Ethan and Joel Coen’s No Country for Old Men (2007). It portrays old people (a sheriff, specifically) as fundamentally out of touch with, and unable to handle, whatever this new generation of criminals is capable of. It ends with the psychopathic murderer getting away, the “good guy” dying off-screen, and the old sheriff telling his wife about a dream he had about his father—and that’s it. It seems there’s nothing the sheriff can do but wait to die, and hope that things will be okay in the end; but there’s almost no hope. There is some truth here about the inability of older generations to contain the destructive energy of the young. It’s also up for debate whether there’s something truly unique about this generation or whether this is something that all generations deal with, and is merely felt to be unique by the old (think of the archetypal old man shaking his fist, and the phrase “kids these days!”). Regardless, the movie portrays old people as simply not up to the task—but in a movie like this, how could they be?

One Day at a Time & Thelma

2026-06-10 00:57:12 UTC

A recent TV show I watched that showed a non‑traditional family is “One Day at a Time” from Netflix. The show portrayed a multigenerational, single‑parent household. The storyline is about a Latina single mom (Tori) who lives with her grandmother (a retired nurse with PTSD), her younger brother, and her kids. This story also shines a limelight on an LGBTQ teen navigating the complexities of queer relationships, PTSD, and grief. It's a beautiful portrayal of a non-traditional family, built around a single parent, cultural identity, and intergenerational caregiving.

A recent example of a movie with prominent elderly characters is “Thelma”. This is a 2024 movie that shows an older woman navigating a late‑life transformation. The movie takes a unique approach to portraying elderly characters, focusing on their inner lives, desires, and complexities. By doing so, it challenges ageist assumptions and offers a refreshingly positive and nuanced portrayal. This thoughtful approach sets it apart from other films that often relegate elderly characters to the background or use them as comic relief.

Gabriella Pershad - TV Watching

2026-06-10 17:50:57 UTC

Modern Family is a contemporary television program that features a non-traditional (non-nuclear) family structure. A blended family, same-sex parents, and close-knit multigenerational families are just a few of the various family arrangements seen in the program. The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family is a prime example. Jay is married to Gloria, who has a son from a prior relationship, and they all have strong relationships with Jay's older children and grandkids. In contrast to the conventional "two parents and children" paradigm, this blended and extended family structure demonstrates that families may be established through remarriage, step-relationships, and selected family links. In general, the program presents varied family structures in a good and normative manner, emphasizing love, support, comedy, and everyday difficulties in a variety of family configurations.

The Good Doctor is a contemporary television program that features an elderly individual. An key character in the story is Dr. Aaron Glassman, an older surgeon and mentor. He is presented as knowledgeable, kind, and well-liked at the hospital. He mentors and consoles younger physicians, particularly Shaun Murphy, the protagonist. Even while he does experience health issues later in the series, his age is associated with knowledge, leadership, and emotional depth rather than being portrayed as "useless" or out of touch. By demonstrating that older individuals may still be active, powerful, and vital in professional settings, this representation dispels myths about them.

Week 11

2026-06-10 19:47:38 UTC

One movie that comes to mind for a non traditional family form is Lilo and Stitch. The movie is about two sisters, Lilo and Nani who are living alone after their parents died in a car accident. Nani is the older sister and she becomes the one taking care of Lilo, even though she is still very young herself. I think this is a good example of a non traditional family because there are no parents in the picture and it is just two sisters trying to survive and look out for each other. The movie shows that a family does not have to look a certain way to be real. I think the family is just the person who stays and takes care of no matter what the situation the person is in at that time.
The movie I thought of for an elderly person is Nebraska. The movie follows an old man named Woody who is convinced he has won a million dollar prize and wants to travel to Nebraska to collect it. His son ends up going with him on the trip. I think Woody was represented positively overall. He was shown as stubborn and a bit forgetful. However the movie never made fun of him or treated him like a burden. It took his dream seriously and showed that even at his age, he still had things he wanted and people who cared about him. I think that is a respectful way to show an elderly person on screen compared to how older people are usually just sidelined in most movies.

Week 11- Tadhg Cox

2026-06-11 18:44:38 UTC

One TV show that comes to mind when I think of a non-nuclear family is the Young and the Restless. Given the shows maturity, it's a show that I watched a lot growing up, especially when I would stay for sleep overs at my grandparents house it would be always on. I actually watch the Young and the Restless quite often now, as I grew up with the show and have gotten to know and love the characters. One family that specifically comes to mind is the Newman family when thinking of non-nuclear families. The Newman family has gone through many examples of the " non traditional family" consisting of Divorced parents, remarriage, and half/step siblings. This family has gone through many events and can be widely considered a non nuclear family. The Family patriarch Victor Newman is the main reason why this family is considered "non traditional" because of his actions and the decisions he's made over the years .

Week 11

2026-06-11 22:54:37 UTC

A movie that comes to mind from a non-traditional family is Daddy’s Home 2, featuring Will Ferrell. The movie showcases two families blending. Will Ferrell plays the stepfather of Mark Wahlberg 2 children, and he’s also married to his ex-wife. They both co-parent together, even after the divorce. This is different from a traditional family because people think about a mom and dad living together with the children. The movie show cases between Mark and Will not liking each other because they both want to be the dad the children like. The grandfather in the film is played by Mel Gibson and John Lithgow. Lithgow is portrayed as the grandfather who is loving and emotionally supportive to the family and children. In the movie, Lithgow hid the fact that his wife had divorced him from the family. Mel Gibson plays the tough and old-school type of grandfather.

2026-06-12 03:04:21 UTC

A recent TV show that portrays a non‑traditional family is From (2022), particularly through the residents of Colony House. Instead of a nuclear family structure, Colony House represents a communal or chosen family, where unrelated individuals live together and rely on one another for support and survival. The group shares responsibilities, emotional bonds, and decision-making, functioning as a family unit despite not being biologically related. This type of family emphasizes cooperation, shared values, and mutual care rather than traditional roles or blood ties. The portrayal highlights how, in difficult circumstances, people can form deep connections and create a sense of belonging outside of a conventional family structure.

A recent TV show featuring an elderly character is Matlock (CBS, 2024), starring Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock. The story follows Matty, who goes undercover at a law firm to seek justice for her daughter’s death caused by a pharmaceutical overdose. She uses others’ assumptions about her age, appearing harmless and unassuming, to investigate without suspicion. Matty is portrayed in both positive and negative ways. While other characters underestimate her because she is older, the audience sees her as intelligent, strategic, and resourceful. This highlights how age-related stereotypes can be limiting but can also be used to one’s advantage. Overall, her portrayal is empowering, showing that older adults can be capable and influential. Also, I highly recommend watching both examples, if you haven’t already.

Week 11 Backpack Activity- Visshnee Thirikaran

2026-06-12 05:14:56 UTC

One TV show that comes to mind for a non-traditional family form is Modern Family. It portrays a blended and extended family structure rather than a strictly nuclear one. For example, Jay is in a second marriage with Gloria, and they are raising a child together while also maintaining relationships with his adult children and stepfamily members. The show highlights how families can be connected through divorce, remarriage, and step-parenting, showing that love and support can exist in many different household structures. A recent TV show that includes an elderly character is Grace and Frankie. The main characters are older women navigating life after divorce and aging. They are portrayed in a very positive way as independent, funny, and still active in relationships and personal growth. Rather than being shown as weak or invisible, they are central characters with their own stories, which challenges stereotypes about aging and highlights the continued value of elderly people in society.

2026-06-12 06:04:51 UTC

One TV show I watched recently that includes a non-traditional family form is Modern Family. The show portrays several family structures that differ from the traditional nuclear family. For example, Mitchell and Cameron are a same-sex couple raising their adopted daughter, Lily. The show also includes a blended family through Jay, Gloria, and Manny. These family forms demonstrate that families can be created through adoption, remarriage, and same-sex relationships. The show highlights how love, support, and strong relationships are more important than fitting a traditional definition of family.

A TV show I watched recently that includes an elderly person is Blue Bloods. The character Henry Reagan is an elderly family member and former police officer. He is portrayed in a positive way because his children and grandchildren respect him, and his opinions are valued during family discussions. Henry is shown as wise, active, and involved in family life rather than being dependent or isolated. This positive representation challenges stereotypes that older adults are unable to contribute to their families or communities. - phanny iragena

week 12

2026-06-12 16:44:22 UTC

One movie I watched recently that includes a non-traditional family form is Lilo & Stitch. Instead of a traditional nuclear family, Lilo is being raised by her older sister, Nani, after the loss of their parents. The movie shows the challenges they face, but it also highlights how family is not defined only by parents and children. Their relationship demonstrates that love, support, and commitment are what make a family. Keeping with the Disney theme, an elderly person who stands out to me is Moana's grandmother in Moana. She is portrayed in a very positive way as wise, caring, and deeply connected to her culture and traditions. What I like most about her character is that she encourages Moana to trust herself and follow her own path, even when others disagree. I think this is a positive representation of older adults because it shows how much of an impact they can have through their guidance, experience, and support.

Week 11

2026-06-12 19:28:20 UTC

A show I can think of that includes non-traditional family norms is Ginny & Georgia. As much as certain things about the show made me resent it for a bit, the plot is actually very interesting. It essentially about a single mother, Georgia and her teenage daughter, Ginny, who are both navigating their lives in a small town new to them. They both live together without a father or secondary partner present in their lives for a decent amount of the series. However, in the midst of forming connections in school, their jobs and so on, twisted secrets eventually resurface that sabotages everything that Georgia worked hard for to protect herself and family. In a different T.V show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Hitchcock and Scully are both considered elderly as they have many health issues but still work in the precinct with the other main characters. Although not a lot of people associated themselves with them until the later seasons of the show, both of them were represented somewhat positively as they would work behinds the scenes on their desks to assist in solving many crimes. Since they were also both in their prime during the 90's, there was still respect for the both of them.

Saron Woldeyesus

2026-06-12 19:28:33 UTC

A recent TV show I watched that has a nontraditional family structure is Modern Family. The show has different family structures such as blended families and families with same-sex parents. For example, there is a family made up of two dads and one child, which is an example of a nontraditional family structure, because it is not a traditional nuclear family.

The show also has older characters, such as Jay Pritchett. He is shown as a strong personality and at times is stubborn, but overall he is caring and involved in his family. He is shown in a mostly positive light, and has qualities of an older person that is a strength, and his show also has qualities of an older person that is a challenge.

week 12 saron woldeyesus

2026-06-12 19:30:11 UTC

The section on emotion management and socialization for Week 5 was the most intriguing section for me. I found this section intriguing because it focused on how people are expected to control and “manage” their emotions at different social situations, especially in different workplace settings. I was unaware of how much control of emotions is anticipated in job positions that deal with public interactions.

This concept was intriguing to me because it is something I can relate to. I have seen people be required to maintain a calm and professional appearance, and to not openly express emotions, all the while dealing with workplace stress. It made me realize how social expectations set boundaries on how people are allowed to express their emotions and their levels of emotional self-control.

week 11

2026-06-12 23:40:58 UTC

A show I can think of for this would be Shameless. Frank Gallagher was the father of 6 kids and he never took care of any of them, it was always Fiona, the oldest sibling. Throughout the show it is the siblings that have to look after each other and also sometimes have to look after their father when he comes home drunk or passes out in the house. Fiona however takes on the role of the main caregiver for the family. At one point in the show one of the younger siblings, Carl, ends up being the one to buy back the house after almost losing it. This show is a great example of how families can function in many different ways and that family roles are shaped by social and economic circumstances instead of traditional expectations.

- Olivia Dixon

Bones & Bridgerton

2026-06-12 23:44:08 UTC

A TV show that I have been watching recently is Bones. In this show, Seeley Booth is a single dad. He was in a relationship when his partner got pregnant. It doesn’t explicitly state whether they broke up before or after the kid was born. Regardless, in the show, Seeley and his ex co-parent their son, which portrays lone-parent families.

A TV show I have previously seen that has a portrayal of someone elderly is Bridgerton. In Bridgerton, they portray the Queen in a positive manner. The queen has rulership over the ‘ton’ and often plays an active role in setting up successful marriage pairings. Throughout the seasons of Bridgerton, it appears to me that the Queen receives more respect and power. Although I do not solely believe it is due to her age, I believe it is also due to the fact she is the first woman (in the show) to lead the throne, as well as the first person who is not white to sit on the throne. I think it is a combination of these factors that gets her the admiration, power, and respect, not just her age.

Modern Family & Grey's Anatomy

2026-06-13 00:26:21 UTC

I’ve recently watched some episodes of the TV show Modern Family. The non-traditional family form that is represented is two Caucasian men that are married and have adopted an Asian baby girl. They are part of a larger family system that also represents the nuclear family. There are also characters that are divorced, in second marriages and have step-children. The program shows a good variety of how all family systems can be interconnected and can work along side one another.

There are episodes of Grey’s Anatomy that I’ve seen recently that have featured elderly characters. In the medical field, the elderly person is often represented as being lacking in their mental faculties and shown as a burden to family and other caregivers. However, in the particular episode I’m thinking of, the character was very independent, well-spoken and able to care for themselves as well as the agency they represented. Showing the elderly person in that light is a lot more empowering and motivating than showing the one that is frail and entirely dependent on others.

Brooklyn 99 and New Girl

2026-06-13 02:28:09 UTC

A show I have recently watched that has a non-traditional family is Brooklyn 99. One of the main characters, Jake Peralta, comes from a household where his parents were divorced. Throughout the show, it is mentioned how Jake's parents were in a toxic relationship where his dad constantly cheated and was a non-existent parent. The effects of this childhood were portrayed throughout the show by Jake having issues with trying to find a father figure in his life. Since his dad was absent, Jakes looks at males of authority as father figures, and this is especially shown through his relationship with Captain Holt.

A show I have recently watched that has an elderly person was New Girl. This show had an older man named Tran. One of the main characters Nick Miller became friends with Tran during the show and constant went to him for advice or when he was upset. The show portrayed Tran as a quiet, but very wise person. Nick always went to him when he had a problem, and Tran would “help” Nick by listening and staying silent. The show portrayed Tran in a very positive way, with the other characters treating him in the way many people in society are told to treat elders, by showing them respect and acknowledging they are wise and know more than the younger generations.

Week 11

2026-06-13 02:40:27 UTC

A show I watched recently that includes a non-nuclear family form is Modern Family. Particularly, the same-sex relationship between Mitchell and Cameron. Them having to navigate the everyday challenges of raising their adopted daughter, Lily, and are challenging the rigid gender roles of the traditional nuclear model. A TV show that I have watched that includes an elderly person would be the anime Hunter x Hunter, which gives a positive representation of an elderly person through Chairman Isaac Netero. In the show, Mr. Netero appears withered in his appearance; however, he represents the peak of human strength and discipline. His ultimate move, the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, is a massive, multi-armed golden statue striking with supernatural speed. This power goes to show that aging can signify mastery and wisdom rather than fragility.

Ezinwa Nwakoby

Week 11

2026-06-13 03:25:41 UTC

Never Have I Ever is a television show that features a non-traditional, or non-nuclear, family structure. After her father passes away, Devi is shown in the episode living alone with her mother, Nalini. Because it breaks away from the conventional nuclear structure of two parents raising children together, this is an example of a non-traditional family. Rather, it demonstrates how families can overcome obstacles and continue to operate even in the absence of one parent. The show also emphasizes cultural expectations, communication breakdowns, and emotional difficulties in this kind of family structure.

Nirmala, Devi's grandmother, is the elderly character portrayed in the show. She is portrayed as a significant family elder who has a big impact on customs and cultural values. Because she is loving, caring, and related to family identity, her portrayal is primarily positive. She does, however, also have more traditional views, which occasionally cause conflict with Devi's mother, particularly when it comes to independence and parenting approaches. This demonstrates how perspectives on life and family responsibilities can differ throughout generations. Overall, the show demonstrates how non-traditional family structures still involve strong emotional bonds and also highlights how aging and generational differences shape family relationships across the life course.

-Janvi Patel

Week 11

2026-06-14 17:29:20 UTC

A TV show I have watched recently that includes a non-traditional family form is Modern Family. The show portrays several different family structures, including a blended family, a same-sex couple raising a child, and an older man married to a younger woman with a son. This is different from the traditional nuclear family because it shows that families can be formed in many different ways and still provide love and support for one another.

The same show also includes an elderly person, Jay Pritchett. I think he is portrayed in a mostly positive way. Although the show sometimes jokes about his age, Jay is shown as a caring father, husband, and grandfather. He is independent, successful, and actively involved in his family's life. This representation challenges the stereotype that older adults are weak or unable to contribute to their families and communities.