Home Improvement

This week I have chosen to analyze the gender messages apparent in an episode of Home Improvement. In this particular episode Al is interested in dating a woman he meets on the set of the TV show. Within the first few minutes of the show Tim and Jim each attempt to give him advice on how to win over the woman and get her to accept a date with her. Tim tells Al that he needs to be a tough guy and let the woman know he has some “hair on his chest.”
What Tim means is that a woman wants someone masculine. The idea of masculine being referred to is a man who is tough, raw, and a jerk to women. Tim’s theory is later supported when he says that the reason Jill fell in love with him is because he was tough a “manly man.” Tim is very persistent in telling Al that the last thing he wants is for this woman to think of him as a “sensitive guy.” Tim believes that if this is how the woman views Al she will not be attracted to him.

Jill gives Al the opposite advice than Tim does. Jill insists that woman DO want a nice, sensitive man. She is implying that to be masculine can mean being caring and emotional. Men do not have to be emotionless all the time. Jill counters Tim statement from earlier by saying that the real reason she fell in love with him is because he was so sensitive. Jill claims that a woman wants a man that she can be comfortable with, someone who she can talk to.

Tim disagrees with Jill’s comment that woman want a sensitive guy by saying that woman always say they do but then end up dumping the “nice guy” for the “tough guy.” This represents the male idea that they need to be strong and controlling in order to take care of a woman. This contrasts to Jill’s idea of masculinity and shows the differing feelings of men and woman relating to gender roles.

The interactions between Jill and Tim’s son Brad also support Jill’s idea that woman want a caring man. Whenever Brad’s girlfriend is around he is on his best behavior. He is doing things around the house that he never did before such as putting on a clean shirt and washing up before dinner. Brad’s girlfriend also makes a comment to Jill about how Brad must compliment his mother on how pretty she is often because he is such a gentlemen. It is obvious that the girlfriend really likes Brad which implies that she is attracted to his caring, sensitive form of masculinity.