One of my all-time favorite TV shows is the Netflix comedy “One Day at a Time.” The show follows veteran Penelope Alvarez navigating her new life as a nurse in Los Angeles with her two kids, Elena and Alex, and her immigrant mother, Lydia. “One Day at Time” is lighthearted and comedic, with bits like Alex buying five pairs of sneakers for each day of the week and Penelope’s landlord crashing family dinners and events. However, the show also tackles important issues facing families around the country, such as sexism in the workplace, living in the United States as immigrants, and LGBTQ+ acceptance among family members.
The impact of sexism is a recurring narrative in “One Day at a Time.” One episode is dedicated to the unfair reality that Penelope is paid less and treated differently than her male coworker. Penelope talks about the situation with her family, trying to ingrain a message of empowerment in her daughter. I loved this scene because it includes funny moments like Elena calling her mom’s definition of misogyny “old people sexism” while also dealing with very complex issues that are rarely represented in TV shows.
Elena talks about microaggressions and how they are often overlooked or misunderstood. The dialogue on these issues is intentional, not shying away from uncomfortable issues, but it also doesn’t compromise the cozy, family feel of the show. Penelope’s boss eventually addresses and apologizes for the pay gap but also mentions that the male nurse negotiated his salary. This moment is crucial for the scene and its commentary on sexism because it gives Penelope justice, as her salary is raised, but it also touches on a common issue in the workplace: Women tend not to advocate for themselves and sell themselves short in what opportunities they deserve.
Another theme in “One Day at a Time” is immigration. Penelope’s mother Lydia immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. to escape Fidel Castro. She is a green card holder, and her granddaughter is horrified to find out that she can’t vote because she is not an American citizen. In the emotional scene when Lydia recounts her journey from Cuba to the U.S., her lasting trauma is incredibly touching and profound, and it doesn’t feel out of place in the comedy. Even the laugh track following Lydia’s small quips doesn’t feel crass.
Elena comes out to her family at 14 years old and grapples with her sexuality before and after. Her journey is conveyed tastefully, with a mix of funny lessons in the art of flirting but also deep conversations about acceptance within her family. Everyone is supportive except for Elena’s father, Penelope’s ex-husband, and it takes a toll on the entire family as Elena desperately tries to live up to her father’s traditional views while staying true to herself.
What I especially liked about Elena’s character is that she is not a tool to deliver a message on LGBTQ+ activism; while her sexuality is a big part of her life, so is debate, art, and writing. She is a normal teenager with normal interests.
What is so impressive about this show is that it’s not about sexism, immigrants, or LGBTQ+ rights. It truly is a comedy about a regular American family. We need more shows like “One Day at a Time.” Stories that present the normal American family with their comedic moments and love, but also their struggles with school, work, and relationships.
