Abstract

Under the background of globalization, pluralistic cultures over the world are attracting attentions from increasing amount of people. The desire for getting access to diversified cultures is growing both in popularity and population. Family is the foundation and the smallest unit of society, which mirrors the culture and values of a nation to a large degree. This thesis will take Modern Family, which is a popular TV series reflecting typical American family life, as an instance and try to probe into every aspect of American family life, including family structures, relationships among family members, values highly valued by Americans such as equity, liberation, democracy and independence. By doing further researches in these components consisting of family culture, the author tries to embody some specific information from culture——an abstract concept. The target of the thesis is to enable readers to have a better and comprehensive knowledge of unique American family life, and hence have a better understanding of American culture.

Key words: Modern Family; family culture; family structure; family relationships; influential values

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction and Definition of Family Culture-1

2. Introduction and Background of Modern Family -1

3. Observation of Family Culture from Modern Family -2

3.1 Modes of American Family -2

3.1.1 Nuclear family -2

3.1.2 Extended family-3

3.1.3 Homosexual family-3

3.1.4 Stepfamily-4

3.2 Different relationships between family members -5

3.2.1 Relationship between couples -5

3.2.2 Relationship between children -6

3.2.3 Relationship between parents and children -8

3.3 Fundamental values attributing for American Family Culture -9

3.3.1 Liberation -9

3.3.2 Equality -10

3.3.3 Democracy -10

3.3.4 Independence-11

4. Conclusion -11

 References  -12