Regeneration of family and patriarchy in the view of mass media (Case studies: The programme ?Zuhal Topal?la İzdivaç and tv series ?Geniş Aile?)

ABSTRACTREGENERATION OF FAMILY AND PATRIARCHY IN THE VIEW OF MASS MEDIA (CASE STUDIES: THE PROGRAMME ?ZUHAL TOPAL?LA İZDİVAÇ AND TV SERIES ?GENİŞ AİLE?)ŞAHİN, HaticePostgraduate Thesis, Sociology DepartmentThesis Advisor: Assistant Professor Şehriban ŞAHİN KAYAJuly, 2011, 123 pagesThis thesis aims to show how the family institution, a highly important sensitive supporting field for people, was regenerated in the triangle of patriarchy, popular culture and capitalism; and how patriarchy, which sets the women into second position, was represented in the Mass Media among the arguments ?family comes to end? over the case studies of Geniş Aile and Zuhal Topal?la İzdivaç. In this study, the historical development of family and mass communication is analyzed by concentrating on various theoritical approaches. The ?Geniş Aile? series and the ?Zuhal Topal?la İzdivaç? program are considered on the basis of observation, content analysis and interview.The people of 20th and 21st centuries are exposed to the images and identifications brought by Mass Media in any moment and field of daily life. The meanings created by Mass Media include the relationship between the production and consumption. Power relations come into force in every field of production and consumption. It is necessary to examine the relationship between popular culture and consumption community whenever the Mass Media is mentioned.Each individual is a consumer in modern societies. Consumption is under the sway of the popular culture which influences the society not only for the inquiries of food, clothes and accommodation but also for the cultural needs of the people. The popular culture as an entertainment culture is constantly regenerated by Mass Media. The culture existing among the society is without being questioned presented during the reproduction of popular culture. The scene brought onto the screen aims to raise the income of the society the highest level rather than modernizing the society.Family institution formed by reproduction, sexual motives and emotional interdependence, is under the control of patriarchal system with the concept of private property. Capitalism has differentiated itself by defining the former concepts and life styles as traditional; however it presented continuity about patriarchy. Mass Media are dependent tightly to the patriarchal capitalist system in order to save and increase their income. Mass media, especially the television present patriarchal cultural assets of society on the screen without questioning in order to preserve the patriarchal family structure. The TV series `Geniş Aile? is one of the best examples that reflect the patriarchal family image in society.The individuals attending the programme ?Zuhal Topal?la İzdivaç? are mostly the individuals made alone by modern life conditions or women in need of financial support of a man?s support; whereas men failed to gain the skills to afford their own needs in a house. People used to look after their old mothers and fathers in the past. Recent social and economical conditions have put this habit away. People have become alone during old ages with the destruction of wide families. These people have found the solution at the marriage to get rid of that case and preferred the television programmes presented by famous and favourite people as the easiest way.Key words: Family, Patriarchy, Capitalism, Popular Culture, Consumerist Community, Mass Media.