The popular ABC comedy, Modern Family, has just opened its third season after claiming its second Emmy since the show debuted. The comedy became an immediate hit when it premiered in 2009, because families around America could relate to its message. Modern Family introduces a new structure of family, a modern day and acceptably dysfunctional household reality. The wide spread love of a show with controversial topics highlights a new found acceptance in American culture.

     The show presents a gay marriage between Cameron and Mitchell, an issue of equality and acceptance that America still battles. Currently facing employment discrimination and a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military, homosexuality is slowly but surely making progress in the nation. With Washington D.C. and seven other states in America that allow same-sex marriage, it is only a matter of time until national acceptance of the issue. With Cameron and Mitchell being the faces of TV’s homosexuality, shows like Modern Family will lead a new stand on gay equality.

     Mitchell and Cameron’s adoption of Lily, who was born in Vietnam, shows an integration and diversity of races in America as well as an acceptance of other countries. In the year 2010 alone, America reached over 11,000 inter-country adoptions, according to adoption.state.gov. This statistic gives children like Lily unspeakable opportunities, which would have been less accessible in their home countries. Modern Family’s national interest has the ability to push for adoption from countries less fortunate or from families unable to raise a child and to increase national awareness on the issue.

     The marriage between another couple in the Dunphy family, Gloria and Jay, enlightens on the issue of divorce after the two remarry from failed previous relationships. With about half of all marriages in America ending in divorce, this is tragically not a new issue in the nation. However, Modern Family allows an optimistic view on remarriage, even for an older man, like Jay.

     Jay and Gloria’s relationship also reveals a large age gap and culture clash between the couple, with young and Colombian, Gloria, keeping grandfather, Jay, on his toes. With couples like Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore and even the controversial Hugh Heffner posted in media, it is no wonder why Gloria and Jay’s relationship is so widely accepted by today’s society. America is now a country that does not concern itself with an age difference in relationships, only the quality of the marriages.

     Gloria’s son, Manny, is even proud to call Jay his stepfather. Their relationship may seem as if it should be filled with tension, but over the seasons, it is evident that the two have become even more united. Manny, as a quirky and highly intellectual young boy, compared to the traditional and masculine, Jay, have positive traits that have rubbed off on one another. Manny and Jay have happily accepted each other as a new and loved family member.

     Math teacher, Mr. Forde, is known to rave about Modern Family. When asked to comment on the impact of the show he said, “Most would recognize that [Modern Family] takes on current social subjects and portrays obvious stereotypes… But the most intelligent writing is the subtle non-stereotypical portrayals of social issues and stereotypes and the quick wit that some viewers might not even get…. [which] can be best summed up in a scene where Manny’s mother, Gloria, is getting off an airplane and says ‘I can’t get my ears to pop’.  And her son Manny says, ‘Try using some rouge.’  Then looks at the camera and says, ‘Nobody gets me.’  That’s classic stuff!”

     The dramatized culture clash and ironic intellectual relationship between mother and son is a common theme of the show. This irony mixed with comedy allows for the overly exaggerated stereotypes that Modern Family embraces and enhances with quirky wit.

     Although still crazy and outspoken, the more conventional family in the Dunphy bunch is represented through Claire, Phil and their three kids, Haley, Alex and Luke. The family has no divorce or adoption to speak of, but common bickering found in everyday American families between siblings and parents is frequent between characters. Modern Family shows that eccentric relationships can be demonstrated even without a controversial or nontraditional structure of family. There is mishap behind every door in America’s “modern family.”

     Senior Ian Wilder said of Modern Family’s impact on America, “I think that Modern Family is accurately portraying a ‘modern family’ because all of the characters are playing exaggerated and stereotypical figures in America, like the exaggerated gay couple and the rich grandfather marrying an attractive, Colombian woman.”

     These exaggerated characteristics make Modern Family more enjoyable and even realistic. Viewers have people in their lives that can be related to such quirky and hilarious characters. With families straying from the old-fashioned and traditional path, the “modern family” is sometimes just as portrayed in the TV show.

     The love of Modern Family gives hope that America is making progress in acceptance. America is moving forward and approving of once controversial issues that have now become the norm. Modern Family truly allows for a comical and personal view into family life in a modern-day and accepting America.