Representation and Stereotypes of Black Mothers in Television Sitcoms from 1968 to Now

by

by : 
Gin W.

Summary

Media consumption impacts the everyday lives of American citizens, influencing decisions from as trivial as what haircut to get to as integral as how identities are defined. From newspaper articles to television productions, American culture is constantly being absorbed by audiences, shaping perceptions of populations into the images permeated through society. This paper aims to analyze these intersections of identity and media representations through examining the portrayals of Black mothers in television sitcoms over time and their influence on stereotypes associated with Black women. Through four main stereotypes, the “matriarch,” “m*mmy,” “j*zebel” and “welfare mother,” behaviors and dialogue from seven sitcoms over several decades featuring Black families were coded, with five episodes randomly chosen from each show. These data points were then quantified by counting appearances of each code, resulting in the calculation of a linear square regression line. From this, statistical significance will be either determined or dismissed, showing either a shift in stereotype appearance or not. Ultimately, this research is important as identity is not formed in a vacuum, and looking at television shows provides a model for how populations are perceived in our society, mirroring societal values and impacting individual lives.