■■ Stereotypes can be created and reinforced by the cultural environment—television, movies, magazines, the Internet, and other media. Gender and class stereotypes are reinforced in popular television shows (Croteau & Hoynes, 2000). Men are more likely than women to be portrayed as having high-status, traditionally male jobs

(such as doctors or lawyers) and are less likely to be shown in the home. Fathers in working-class families are usually portrayed as incompetent yet lovable buffoons

(e.g., Al Bundy, Homer Simpson), while middle-class fathers are depicted as competent at their jobs and as parents (Butsch, 1992).