Walter White: A Family Man?

After beginning to watch Breaking Bad, the hit television show that the entire world told me I "had to watch", I have not stopped thinking about the American values demonstrated in the show. For those of you that are unaware of the storyline of Breaking Bad, it is about a Chemistry teacher, Walter White, who is diagnosed with lung cancer, and decides to manufacture Methamphetamine to pay for his treatment and to support his family. What made me decide to write a blog about this is a scene I watched yesterday, in which Gus, Walt's distributer convinces Walt to keep cooking Meth because he must be the man of the house: the provider. Walt takes the advice, and continues with the illegal actions. This is a perfect example of two American values at a crossroads. On one hand, family, and the safety and security of family is such a prized value is America. By Walt continuing to cook, he is putting the whole family at risk. On the other hand, the classic American gender roles are at play. If Walt stops cooking, he stops providing for his family, leaving his wife to be the bread-winner of the house. Rather than hurt his pride by doing the smart thing for his family's safety, he lets his ego control him and he takes the offer. I think this decision extends deeper than just the life choices of an incredibly interesting t.v show character, but reflects the true values of America. This example is just an extreme version of a choice that men make everyday: choosing their career (whatever it may be) over their family. Of course the argument can be made that by choosing a career, you really are helping your family. The reason people work so hard is to provide the best they can for their family, just like Walt is doing. So is Walter White a family man even though he is putting his family in danger?