I found it actually very interesting how all 3 of the families seemed equally standard to me, even though the effect received by others with a different background would surely have been much different. Personally, I feel like the show did a very good job of depicting various types of modern families while comparing and contrasting them in both positive and negative lights.
I imagine that 20 or 30 years ago, a show like this might not have succeeded as well because fewer people would probably be able to relate to the scenarios described. Gay marriage, a huge age difference between husband and wife, interracial marriages, and the technology-dominated household would have been bizarre concepts to people during the '70s and '80s and even parts of the world today.
I actually can't help but wonder if this show is banned in certain places or the country/world for the same reason as books are banned: for being too accurate and unflattering on American lifestyle. For example, I could see the Mormon church taking offense to the gay parents and racist groups taking offense to the interracial one. I'm not sure who specifically would dislike the generally dysfunctional family, but I could see someone hating it.
I completely agree that around 20 or 30 years ago this show would not have even been thought of because our society would not have accepted some of things that the show showed. A gay couple would not have been accepted back then. America has been more accepting than other countires around the world so this show probably not have been aired in some countries. The showed the many types of modern families too and in way show the progress we have made in acceptance with a interracial couple and gay couple in the show. I liked your analysis of the show, good job!
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