This panel will examine the history and present articulation of the development of traditional American family characteristics in an untraditional world as portrayed in situation comedies in general and “The Big Bang Theory” specifically. The panel will also explore the evolution of nuclear family structures reflected through sitcom and societies manifestation of traditional family roles developing a new nuclear family for the 21st century.
Moderator: Laura Wilson, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Panelist: Susan McManimon, Rider University; Mary Beth Leidman, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Jay Start, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Laura Wilson, Indiana University of Pennsylvania