Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class

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It is surprising to realize what impact television has on us. It reflects every aspect of human life. However, it is one of the easiest ways to transmit the information flow to the community. That fact that television has a very strong influence on people has become well-known since its emergence. A crucial role in providing information to the audience plays also the aspect of the commercialization of television. It sets the tone for future directions of entertainment events. “Class Dismissed: How TV Frames the Working Class” is a useful overview of the ways how television reflects the lifestyles and changes the perception of reality. The film was made in 2005 by Pepi Leistyna of the University of Massachusetts, Boston that describes American television.

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Following the film, it is easy to notice all the problems that the society is facing with nowadays. In order to evaluate all class issues it is very important to be aware of the definition of “class”, which is commonly used by the society. Television usually portrays people in three aspects. First class, is an economic one that includes accumulated wealth. Second, is a political class, depicts the power with which people influence the public and political processes. Third class is cultural, it covers education, taste and lifestyle, known as the cultural capital along with its post-industrial society.

“Working class” is described as a class of people with low incomes, minimum power and low sophistication. “Middle class” are the people who enjoy the American dream and live the life full of prosperity and outlined leisure. Historical facts show the changes that affected television and all those trends related to class dismissing. These facts give the whole understanding of TV representation and its main purpose. The thing is that television has been designed to entertain people along with all events that are covered on it. Class never dismisses in itself. Only the ways of its reflection have eventually changed. Thus, in the 1950s the white working class became middle class and African Americans were treated only as servants or entertainers along with immigrant families, which were also regular in TV repertoire (‘Class Dismissed Part 1 of 2.’).

Gender roles between males and females have grown much since the beginning of informational technology. Racial prejudices were expressed manifestly through criminal behavior putting black people on the lower scale. TV has started to portray women class as the one who is engaged outside their homes and tries to gain financial independence. Style traits became an integral part of TV events being part of the success which must be achieved to enjoy the American dream (‘Class Dismissed Part 2 of 2.’).

Time has passed by, and it turned out that television has a place for everyone. Class was dismissed partially in the media coverage. It is rather used to encourage people to gain prosperity and wealth than to demonstrate any prejudices. Considering that television has a great effect on the formation of the public opinion, further directions of class conflict will depend on the way in which TV is going to cover future events. That will help to smooth the boundaries between all class prejudices and unite people.