Comparing Sexism in Friends and New Girl

There is no denying that there are scenes in both of our favorite sitcoms that just don't sit right. Here is an article comparing Friends and New Girl by Amanda Gregory.

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Have you ever noticed while watching some of your favorite sitcoms that there are actually some pretty sexist undertones? Some of these shows use stereotypical characters and insensitive punchlines to poke fun at a certain gender in order to get a laugh from their audience. Take Friends for example: the 1990s sitcom that most of us have seen and loved. Well, it consistently objectifies women and uses outdated gender roles. There’s Rachel: the gorgeous, damsel in distress who is dressed in provocative clothing and often hit on or in need of some kind of help. Monica, who used to be ridiculed for being overweight, is the type-A neat freak who embodies the stereotypical housewife as she is always cooking and cleaning. The third female friend, Phoebe, is the attractive ditz who can never seem to have a steady job or boyfriend. The three men in the friend group constantly make insanely sexist comments, especially towards the three women they call their “best friends”. Once you think about it, it is pretty crazy to think that the women never seem to react to these insensitive punchlines. Have our society’s efforts to eradicate sexism completely failed?

The answer is NO! Remember, Friends was released in the 1990s. Let’s take a look at one of today’s most popular sitcoms, New Girl. Most of us who watch the show love Jess for being a cute, dorky kindergarten teacher who is both confident and considerate of others. She is funny, smart, free-spirited, and stands up for herself and others. Yes, Jess is a little whimsical and can seem naive at times, but she embraces her quirky personality and doesn’t change it for anybody. She breaks gender stereotypes as the audience quickly realizes that her strength and passion causes her to be a role model to her four male roommates. Unlike in Friends, the male characters in New Girl (two of which being African American, by the way) are sensitive and act as equals to Jess and other women, not as their superiors. They constantly go to Jess for advice and support every time that they need it.

I am not saying that Friends is not a funny and successful show. Both of these sitcoms have become popular all over the world and are enjoyed by both men and women. What I am saying is that it is important to think about the nature of the sitcoms and their choice of humor, and what that may reflect on the time period these shows were made in. Feminism has become such a force in our society and it is rewarding to see the efforts being paid off in the television industry. Way to go, New Girl!