Depicted here is an example of a classic American family stereotype.  They're a white, seemingly well-to-do family, and the husband/father is being looked at by all, because he is the most respected and the patriarch. It suggest that he is the head of the family.

Source: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/06/10/the-all-time-best-and-worst-tv-dads/