Parks and Re-aligning How We View Women in Politics

The satirical TV show ¨Parks and Recreation¨ follows the personal and political lives of a group of government employees in the Parks Department of Pawnee, Indiana. The protagonist of the show is Leslie Knope, the enthusiastic, sometimes overwhelmingly optimistic deputy director of the Parks Department. She works tirelessly to serve her community, and in addition to the apathy and incompetence of her fellow public servants, she is oftentimes faced with extreme sexism. Through its satirical mockumentary style, ¨Parks and Recreation¨ explores the challenges facing government, and more specifically, the obstacles facing women in politics. The themes established in the show through parody and hyperbole regarding the frustrations of being a woman working in government can be applied to real-life female public servants and elected officials. 

It is difficult to miss the hyperbole in ¨Parks and Recreation.¨ Although most television shows use some degree of exaggeration to appeal to viewers and create exciting plots (think ¨Friends¨ hijinks and fiascos), but ¨Parks and Recreation¨ uses hyperbole to make a commentary about government and sexism. Leslie often has to overcome inappropriate gendered behavior in her relentless quest to improve the lives of the people in her town, and some of these situations are clearly hyperbolic to make a statement. For example, in an episode of the final season, Leslie decision to not participate in a pie-making competition causes her to face criticism from both feminist groups and self-proclaimed ¨Male Men,¨ a men's rights group. The scenario is clearly an example of hyperbole, demonstrated by everything from the hilarious reporters covering this perceived attack on family values to the men's rights group themselves, everything is exaggerated. However, situations like this occur all the time, when women in politics are attacked for not upholding the patriarchal standard of a family, and this attack distracts from what that woman is trying to accomplish. In this and in many other examples of hyperbole, ¨Parks and Recreation¨ illuminates the impossible tightrope that women in high-visibility positions are asked to walk. Throughout the show, Leslie is treated unfairly because of her gender, but responds with another example of hyperbole, her own unrealistic enthusiasm.

Furthermore, the show is a parody of a documentary, and this form allows the show to advance its social commentary. By eliminating a laugh-track and focusing on characters´s developments rather than a soap-opera style plot, the show is able to remain funny, but make viewers recognize the issues facing women in government. The mockumentary format helps elevate the show into satire. Overall, ¨Parks and Recreation¨ does not shy away from the important issue of gender in politics, and asks viewers to recognize it as well. Therefore, not only is it a very funny show, it is a piece of contemporary satire that addresses contemporary issues.