James appeared to think that Florida was only good for cooking, cleaning, and the bedroom. When she wanted to go to school and get a degree, he reminded her that “women only belong in three places”.

And when Florida was given a job over him, he refused to stop whining and trying to make her feel bad until she got fired. He was also also perfectly fine with JJ reading a book about sex but became irate when he learned the book belonged to Thelma.

It seems like James only got a pass because he was a "product of his era", and was the head of a household who was also living in poverty. And that's all before his inevitable tragic death, which automatically put him in a better light than maybe any other character would have enjoyed.

James came around in the episode where Florida wanted to go back to school. He was a jerk at first, but he came to realize that he was wrong and even took classes with Florida.

James was a man's man and a man of his times. Very strong independent man. Back in the mid-70s it was a completely different world. Women were just breaking in to jobs that were once ruled exclusively by men.
It was a very common 70s theme to have a woman try and venture to have a career while still being a mom. The husband rejects it at first but then accepts it in the end.

He was a male oink and that was widely accepted 50 years ago.

James appeared to think that Florida was only good for cooking, cleaning, and the bedroom. When she wanted to go to school and get a degree, he reminded her that “women only belong in three places”.

And when Florida was given a job over him, he refused to stop whining and trying to make her feel bad until she got fired. He was also also perfectly fine with JJ reading a book about sex but became irate when he learned the book belonged to Thelma.

It seems like James only got a pass because he was a "product of his era", and was the head of a household who was also living in poverty. And that's all before his inevitable tragic death, which automatically put him in a better light than maybe any other character would have enjoyed.


Well she didnt make the situation any better by coming home telling him how to be a parent based on what was in the school book and coming home with a cake after starting the job