Many children's advocates argue that programs like The Cosby Show and Grace Under Fire prove that shows about families and their real life problems can be compelling and popular, if written and produced well, and if promoted aggressively by the network. And therein lies the problem and the solution. It takes imagination, money and real creative talent to launch a successful and original quality show. Luckily, there's plenty of that in Hollywood. Since the 1960's, TV women have moved out of the kitchen and into the boardroom, the courtroom, and the newsroom.
Kids realize it, too.
And when it comes to young girls on TV, they're right. There are roughly the same number of boy and girl characters on TV- and for the most part, no significant differences in the way they are portrayed in terms of their motivations and behaviors, although girls are more likely to show affection and boys are more likely to be aggressive. And nowadays, women on TV are better role models, too. They've landed the best pay, the best promotion, and the best punchline. And when it comes to adult women on TV, they remain far too few.