Research on a television show

Running Head : FRIENDS

Work and Gender : Their Effects on Friendship

[Author 's Name]

[Course Name]

[Instructor 's Name]

[Date]

Work and Gender : Their Effects on Friendship

Introduction

When we say that gender identity is socially constructed , what we do mean is that our identities are a fluid assemblage of the meanings and behaviors that we construct from the values , images and prescriptions we find in the world around us . Our gendered identities are both voluntary - we choose who we are - and coerced - we are pressured , forced sanctioned

and often physically beaten into submission to some rules . We neither make up the rules as we go along , nor do we fit casually and without struggle into preassigned roles (Kimmel , 2004

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The influences that gender roles and our daily occupations have on our lives extend well beyond the workspace . In the popular television series , Friends , the show exhibits six main characters , consisting of three males and three females . During each episode several portrayals of the intermingling of work and gender related issues arise . These issues interact with the personal and social lives of each of the main characters . Thus , each character finds that their careers define themselves , and that they are defined by their gender roles and their chosen job markets . Even further , the successes , failures and experiences of their careers also play upon the character 's friendships This research aims to explore how each character attempts to define themselves in their chosen career fields , and more importantly whether their careers have a direct impact on their friendships

Methods

For this project , five episodes of Friends were chosen from the second season of the series , which aired September of 1995 into January of 1996 . The answers to the three following questions were then sought from each episode . 1 ) What careers do each of the characters have , and how do they attempt to represent themselves as employees of such ? 2 Do the careers have a direct impact on their personal identities , if so how ? 3 ) Do the careers and gender roles of each character have an impact on their friendships ? 4 ) Are there any other gender and work related issues portrayed ? The following answers came as a result of the inquired questions

Results

Each of the male characters attempted to represent themselves with success in their career fields , although it may not have always happened . In their various fields of work , Joey and Ross feel the desire to depict profitable growth and flourishing careers . Joey , as an actor , spends time trying to coerce his way into various employment situations . In the episode , The One After the Super Bowl ' he specifically wines and dines an assistant movie director in an attempt to obtain an acting role for a movie . In the end he succeeds , but prior to his victory he expresses distress about being outshined in show business by Ross ' pet monkey . Here Joey gives a good example that competition (with a monkey , whether real or imagined , impacts how one...