Abstract

The diversity of today’s family structure and the intensifying consumption of television has amplified the importance of recognizing how media portray authority figures and their communication with adolescents. This study illustrates how authority figures are framed through a comparative textual analysis of popular TV sitcoms. Results indicate that the interaction between adolescents and authority figures has evolved. Twenty years ago, the division of authority was quite clear, whereas current programming reveals relationships that are more complicated and often depict authority figures more as friends.