The Emmy award winning sitcom, "Modern Family," is the latest family-based television sensation. It's similarities and differences with "All in the Family" show how shows like this have evolved over the decades based on issues that are important at the time.

"Modern Family" shows a variety of different family types all within one family. This difference from "All in the Family" shows the acceptance of the intermix of cultures and beliefs that have become part of today's society. Both shows bring out controversial issues like being gay. They also both use comedy to better deal with these issues so that the audience feels less tension when they are confronted. These differences show how issues in America have become more prominent as they are displayed more openly in "Modern Family"; however, both sitcoms show how America utilizes entertainment media to convey the importance of certain issues to the public. While "All in the Family" used the character interaction to express issues, "Modern Family" addresses the issues of the family itself, thus displays them directly showing how the issue has grown from being talked about, to being put into action.