"Modern Family" - Defining Manhood

The men of "Modern Family" don't measure themselves by macho stereotypes. They are self-confident and self-defined; but in the episode "Chirp," they learned that manhood could be confirmed or defined by things outside of themselves.

Phil and the Chirp

When Phil's wife, Claire, woke up with a nasty cold, he was happy to fill in for her. He talked her back into bed so she could rest. He ran her errands, did her baking; and he didn't say a word when she wiped her runny nose on his jacket. Everything was going smoothly until he couldn't locate the chirping smoke detector.

Phil wandered room to room confirming the batteries were fine, but the chirping continued. He checked the detectors again and again. Nothing. As the day wore on, each chirp became a dig at his manhood. He had no sales prospects. Chirp! He was wearing an apron and baking ladyfingers. Chirp! His wife's gym trainer was muscular and handsome. Chirp! What would happen if his bad streak continued? Chirp!

Phil lost control and smashed nearly every smoke detector in the house. Claire got out of bed to convince him everything was going to be alright, only then did he calm down enough to figure out the chirp was coming from old smoke detectors in the attic.

Cameron's Save-Zilla mistake

Cameron and Mitchell have defined their roles quite clearly. Mitchell is a fine attorney. Cameron is a homebody. Mitchel earns the money. Cameron cares for their home and daughter. Cameron thinks from the heart and acts impulsively. Mitchell analyzes the facts and then decides what to do next. They know their roles, so when Cameron was about to do something stupid, Mitchell had to put his foot down.

Cameron accepted an acting job for baby Lily and Mitchell said no. He didn't want their daughter growing up all weird, but according to Cameron "that gay ship has sailed." Cameron took Lily to the commercial shoot anyway. Lily was one of two Asian babies on a set with fake tall buildings, a Save-Zilla monster and baby voice overs in a broken Asian/English accent. Mitchell showed up in time to stop the cameras from rolling. By then, even Cameron realized his mistake.

Jay and his son, Manny

Jay is married to Gloria, a beautiful, dark haired younger woman. He enjoys giving her whatever she wants and being a good father to young Manny, her son. As the man of the house, Jay may give in sometimes, but on the important things he remains firm. The day Manny drove the forklift into the warehouse wall, his family learned exactly what that meant.

Manny could have been seriously hurt, so Jay fired the employee who allowed him to drive the forklift. Jay did what he thought was best, but Manny demanded Jay rehire him. When Jay explained he couldn't rehire a man that hurt his kid, Manny finally understood Jay's role in his life. Jay was his father. He'd never understood that before.