TV Show: Family Guy - Research Paper Example

It has also left an impression on the broader popular culture, as some of the themes and motifs of the show are adopted and discussed in other shows and other media. This essay will argue that despite the controversial elements in its makeup, Family Guy is a valuable tool to understand American culture and society, especially human interpersonal relationships and the humor/aesthetic sense of American TV audience. In Family Guy, the male characters talk openly about their sexual desires and experiences.

Also, men praise each other for their sexual conquests. For example, in one episode, in what is a spoof on a popular childrens cartoon, one smurf congratulates another smurf for ‘smurfing’ Smurfette in a clear sexual allusion. In turn, boys/men express pride of accumulating sexual experience with girls/women. Women set sexual limits. Women were sometimes portrayed actively rejecting mens sexual advances. Lois’ repeated efforts to curb her husband Peter’s requests for sex is another source of humor.

In more than one episode, Peter attempts to initiate sex with Lois in the presence of their young child. Outraged, the wife stops her husband, exclaiming, "For Gods sakes! Stewie is right here!" (Kim, et al. 145) Women need boyfriends or husbands. Female characters without boyfriends or husbands were made to feel deficient. A teenage boy asks his inexperienced sister, "What kind of gifts have boys gotten for you, Meg?" causing Meg to cry hysterically and run out of the room. (Kim, et al.145) In this context, not all media critics are able to appreciate and hold a liberal view of Family Guy.

Those from the conservative sections rate the show lowly. They cite the show’s supposed foul, raunchy angle for the denigration. According to this view, In its first full year, the shows creators managed to include nearly every conceivable obscenity, and references to every