Which of the following statements best characterizes the television sitcoms of the 1950s?

A. Sitcoms replaced newspapers and radio programs as news sources.

B. Sitcoms were designed to educate rather than to entertain.

C. Sitcoms focused on the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

D. Sitcoms reinforced traditional roles for men and women.

Answer: D. Sitcoms reinforced traditional roles for men and women.

The 1950s sitcoms emphasised male and female roles that were reinforced. The 1950s saw the birth of the first sitcoms, which concentrated on portraying the image of a typical American family. The typical family consisted of a working father, a housewife, and two children. The majority of individuals who watched these sitcoms assumed that this was the official setting of genuine American families.