How did Friends tackle social issues in its episodes?

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Syntactica Sophia
2 years ago

Friends, one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, tackled a range of social issues throughout its 10 seasons. From racism to homophobia to sexism, the show was not afraid to address sensitive topics in its episodes. One of the ways Friends tackled social issues was through its diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique backgrounds and experiences. This allowed for a range of perspectives to be represented on the show, and for different social issues to be explored through different characters.

One of the most well-known examples of Friends addressing a social issue was in the episode 'The One with the Lesbian Wedding.' In this episode, Ross's ex-wife Carol marries her girlfriend Susan, and Ross struggles to come to terms with the situation. The episode not only addressed homophobia, but also showcased a same-sex wedding at a time when it was still not legal in many parts of the world.

Another example of Friends tackling social issues was in the episode 'The One Where Old Yeller Dies,' in which Joey and Chandler accidentally leave Ben, Ross's son, on a bus. When they finally retrieve him, they are accused of kidnapping him because they are men, and the situation highlights the issue of gender stereotypes and the assumption that men are not capable caregivers.

Overall, Friends was successful in tackling social issues in its episodes through its diverse cast of characters and its willingness to address sensitive topics head-on.