Sex roles are behaviors that are learned by a person as fitting or appropriate to their sex, and this can be shown to viewers through many ways.
Physical Appearances
We see Mel follow sex roles in her appearance. She wears a lot of feminine articles which consist of cute sweaters, jewelry, long hair, makeup. Additionally, Mel is slender which media and society teach us to be a desirable feminine attribute.
Jack wears a lot of darker and neutral colors as well as jackets and flannels. He typically wears jeans too which gives viewers a manly sort of vibe. Additionally, Jack is very muscular with a structured jawline. Viewers learn to associate these characteristics with attractiveness because media and society teach us to do so.
Careers
Mel is a nurse and at first she was discriminated against for being such an independent woman by Doc. However, as they grow and get to know each other better, it seems they are headed in the right direction of respecting each other more. I assume that it was intentional to place Mel as a typical woman career which embodies many of the Expressive Traits, such as care, sensitivity towards other, tenderness, and compassion.
Jack is an owner of his own bar, which allows him to be in a typical male position such as having power and being a boss. This career allows him to embody the Instrumental Traits, such as leadership, assertiveness, and self reliance. Additionally, they mention that he was in the Marines, and he talks about his experiences. This adds to the idea that men should be tough and in a position of power.
In Conclusion
Both Mel and Jack are seen as typical individuals who follow societal norms and sex roles. It is possible that they have chosen the careers and paths they did as a result of the society around them influencing their decisions.
Shared by: Lucca Kenyon
Image Credit: https://www.netflix.com/watch/80994394?trackId=14170289&tctx=2096f393c9-9f3c-441f-8c6b-798ae0ec9c06-240660468945c194-156b-4abc-bd98-626e2da2d3d8_14529501X3XX16322810272808945c194-156b-4abc-bd98-626e2da2d3d8_ROOT