The chosen TV series is “The Proud Family – Louder and Prouder” Season 1, Episode 4. These TV series explore gender concepts in family relations and the community. The show is exciting, as it is a perfect method for people, especially teenagers, to eliminate established stereotypes about sexuality and gender. It is necessary to relate the episode with heterosexuality and sexual contract concepts, as the scene represents multiple gender notions.
In summary, the fourth episode of the first season is called “Father Figures” and discovers the parents of Maya and KG, who are the two males. Teenage characters face obstacles and struggle to accept their origin within the classroom. Furthermore, when Maya and KG enter the school canteen, they start talking to their classmates, who joke about children who have neither mother nor father (“Father Figures”). KG is angry about it; he does not appreciate the fact teenagers are talking about orphanage children, and he feels uncomfortable. Finally, children and their parents discover the personalities of the two male fathers. It turns into a situation that shows these men’s kindness and excellent features.
Moreover, it is essential to define the abovementioned concepts to take the analysis. Sexual contract, in a patriarchal sense, means the accessing of a woman’s body by a man (Pilcher and Whelehan). This stance has been established in people’s minds for years, and many still see women as obedient creatures to males. Indeed, this standpoint was reviewed by gender scholars and political theorists, as the theory failed to recognize “men’s domination over women” (Pilcher and Whelehan 148). In addition, the sexual contract is compared to the marriage contract, as noted by Pateman (Pilcher and Whelehan 148). One more disturbing factor is that women are seen in the role of a mother or household exclusively. Accordingly, they do not have political rights on equal terms with men. Indeed, nowadays, the situation is improving, as multiple gender theories are developing, and seeing traditional relations as a union of a man and a woman is disappearing. People are becoming more aware of other types of interpersonal relations. As the book states, the new sexual contract is developing, and it helps to renew “gender inequity” (Pilcher and Whelehan). Therefore, the re-establishment of sexual contract leads to perceiving men and women equally.
Therefore, it is necessary to relate the concept of a sexual contract to the episode. One more important point is that sexual contract is being seen in terms of gender diversity nowadays (Pilcher and Whelehan). Within the episode, it is seen how supportive and understanding the parents of Maya and KG are. Despite having a non-traditional family in terms of seeing them in society, this aspect does not disturb them (“Father Figures”). It is possible to see that the sexual contract between the two males is based upon support and reasonable liberty. Each of the parents carries equal responsibility for their children and does not separate dominating and oppressive roles.
Furthermore, the notion of heterosexuality is vital to consider and apply to the given episode. The book defines heterosexuality as ‘prejudice and antagonism shown by heterosexual persons towards homosexuals” (Pilcher and Whelehan 75). Homosexuality has been seen as an act of deviation for an extended period (Pilcher and Whelehan). In other words, people have seen homosexual relations as an inclination from normality. Not all people accept non-traditional couples, although nowadays, such relations are explicitly promoted in a positive key. Homosexual unions are often seen as eccentric in existing social realities. Moreover, people often do not understand that homosexuality does not equal depravity or abnormality.
It is interesting how the episode reverses notions of homosexuality and heterosexuality. The characters never say it explicitly, but the viewer understands that those who support heterosexual relations are lost in their stereotypes. Moreover, almost all personalities inclined toward the traditional union of men and women show their disrespect after acknowledging the parents of Maya and KG. Finally, the episode undermines existing stereotypes of heterosexuality and shows that homosexual relations are not worse than traditional ones. The parents of Maya and KG are friendly and kind; they treat other people respectfully and gracefully. Even those who were shocked by the union of the two men accepted their excellent personality traits.
Overall, it is seen how notions of sexual contract and heterosexuality are explored within the given episode of the TV series. It is worth noting that the episode discovers essential concepts which can affect people’s perception and acceptance. For instance, the book mentions sexual contract as a legal right to use one’s body after marriage; someone is oppressed, and the other is an oppressor (Pilcher and Whelehan). The male family undermines established stereotypes about dominating and dominated roles within the patriarchal community. Instead, this family is an example of healthy and supportive relations, and importantly, their children feel parental love. In exploring heterosexuality, this family manifests as a friendly male couple, which is not worse than traditional heterosexual unions. It was noted that heterosexuality is defined as an act of violation rights of homosexual people, and it is seen throughout the scene. Indeed, people have understood the kind of personality traits of the two males.
Works Cited
“Father Figures.” The Proud Family – Louder and Prouder, season 1, episode 4, Disney+, 2022.
Pilcher, Jane, and Imelda Whelehan. Key Concepts in Gender Studies. 2nd ed., SAGE Publications, 2017.