American TV shows have explored several tropes over the decades, but they keep returning to the trope of dysfunctional families. Be it in comedies, dramas, or science fiction shows, the trope of dysfunctional families becomes the root of most issues.As viewers, it's not possible for us to know definitively why this trope is so overused. Here are the possible reasons as to why American TV shows keep returning to the trope.Dysfunctional families in American TV shows are a reflection of societyWhether it's the Roys from Succession, the Gallaghers from Shameless, the Smith-Sanchez family from Rick and Morty, or the Crains from The Haunting of Hill House, dysfunctional families in American TV shows have always been entertaining to watch. Across genres, this trope has proven to be a success not only from a storytelling perspective but also among fans. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostConflict and its resolution are what drive the story of shows across almost all genres. That is perhaps why the dysfunctionality trope is so widely used. A perfectly harmonious family doesn't bring conflict that's required.Flawed characters with poor communication skills in dysfunctional families, on the other hand, can help create endless plots, misunderstandings, and tension that can sustain a show across multiple seasons.This trope is also a direct reaction against the way families were portrayed in the past. For decades, American TV shows portrayed nuclear families in a way where every problem was small and somehow always got resolved within a half-hour episode.Modern audiences eventually grew tired of this generalized portrayal. That led to the creation of shows that embraced financial and emotional struggles, and messy relationships that felt far more relatable.Moreover, another possible reason this trope is so successful is because viewers find dysfunctional characters and families relatable. Seeing others fail, argue, or figure out complicated situations validates the viewers' own flaws and family issues, making them feel less isolated in their struggles.Furthermore, watching extremely exaggerated incidents offers a comforting sense of reassurance, allowing audiences to feel better about their own lives by comparison. For instance, Shameless revolves around an extremely dysfunctional family.The father, Frank, is a narcissistic alcoholic and con artist who routinely steals from, lies to, and abandons his six children. This forces the oldest daughter, Fiona, to sacrifice her youth years to raise her siblings. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe siblings thus grow up in survival mode in the Chicago South Side, and end up resorting to petty crime, scams, and chaos just to survive. The show was a success because it addressed a very common issue: children having to fend for themselves due to a neglectful parent.Viewers got to see a family working through issues that are extremely common, and still persevere. It not only allowed them to feel better about their own lives by comparison, but feel happy for the characters when they succeeded at something.Finally, American TV shows act as a cultural mirror for the challenges of contemporary American life. It is possible that show creators and writers use dysfunctional families to reflect problems in the real world.These family conflicts can highlight broader issues, such as financial uncertainty, the falling apart of marriages and families, and the differences in values and beliefs between younger and older generations.By framing these heavy topics through broken or chaotic families, American TV shows can critique societal issues in a way that is engaging, moving, and even funny at times.For more articles like this, follow Soapcentral.