The Power of Stories About Work, Family, and Care on Screen
National survey shows U.S. viewers want stories about work, family, caregiving, and gender that reflect their struggles—and offer solutions.
Getting Real Caregiving Stories On Screen
For most working Americans, caregiving is a daily reality. Yet for decades, television and film have rarely reflected the real challenges of balancing work, family, and care. As a result, public understanding and the political will for care infrastructure have lagged behind lived experience.
New America’s Better Life Lab launched a new kind of initiative to embed research-backed insights into the rooms of screenwriters. The team convened major industry partners—including streaming platforms and media institutions—to elevate narratives about gender, work, and family. They also surveyed viewers to lift up the ways they’d like to see themselves reflected on screens big and small, as Americans and caregivers.
As a result, millions of viewers are now encountering more realistic portrayals of caregiving, overwork, and paid leave. These stories help shift public attitudes, normalize policy solutions, and support broader movements for family-friendly workplaces.