A television is defined as “a telecommunications medium widely used for transmitting and receiving moving images, either monochrome (black and white) or color, usually accompanied by sound” (Webster's). Since the invention of this device in the 1930s, people have been able to entertain themselves with various television shows in the privacy and comfort of their homes. Although each of these shows is about different age groups, nationalities, races, and genders, they all seem to have one thing in common. They all depict and describe the stereotypes imposed on people because of their age, gender, job, culture, race, appearance and position in the home. Due to the presentation of these different categories in the media, preconceived notions are formed about how people should behave, especially men and women. In general, women take care and men take charge. But why does television convey this image of “taking care” and “taking charge” of women and men? In this article, I will focus on one of the most popular TV shows that viewers watch today; Desperate housewives. Through this television show, I will be able to show and analyze how women are represented in the media and why they are. Desperate Housewives is a fictional show about four women known as Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, and Bree Van De Kamp. , and Gabrielle Solis. They live in what most consider a “normal” suburban area; however, in each episode, a secret or mystery is told and revealed. These mysteries can take the form of a death or a new person moving to Wisteria Lane. Together, viewers watch as these housewives succeed not only in solving these mysteries, but also in managing their jobs, their children, their mutual and romantic lives. Although these four w...... middle of paper ...... side; however, her “bitchy” attitude gets in the way. Gabrielle Solis defies her husband and offers Anya (Carlos' niece) a check if she agrees to keep her legs closed and Bree Van De Kamp continues to play host to her paralyzed husband but refuses to be a good wife and to love him for who he has become. It is easy to say that this television show represents these characters in this way in order to allow viewers to quickly understand their role in forty-five minutes. However, it is true and safe to say that women are stereotyped and portrayed on this and many other television shows as typically Caucasian, skinny, desperate and submissive to their men in order to present a sometimes false, one-sided and negative image . . By doing this, viewers are able to create opinions about what women should look like and their roles/duties within society..